JU Muzej Alija Izetbegović — Attraction in City of Sarajevo

This museum is dedicated to Alija Izetbegović, the first president of an independent Bosnia and Herzegovina. The museum is housed in the old city gates, Ploča and Širokac, which are remnants of the old fortified city, Vratnik, that was built in the 18th century.Not far from the museum is the memorial to martyrs in Kovači, with the mausoleum and last resting place of their wartime commander, Alija Izetbegović, which lies among the graves of the defenders of Sarajevo. The entrance to the museum is located in Ploča Gate, which houses a library of Alija’s works, as well as a few of his personal items. Visitors can also watch the films, The Audacity of Living and In the Service of Bosnia, which talk about the first president. Up on the first floor there are nine exhibit panels which tell the story of Alija’s life through texts and photographs and the central part of this space displays the many awards and recognitions that he received. There is an enclosed passage that runs between Ploča Gate and Širokac Gate and the latter houses an exhibit dedicated to Alija Izetbegović in his role as Commander of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and...

The inspiring quotes of this statesman are presented so succinctly that it's easy to understand, with more context available to read if you wish. They give you an insight into the goals, philosophy and idea/vision that he wanted to achieve in times of important strategic decision making, i.e. where fueling Zuckerberg and Pichai's algorithms so that they get the most money, who know and couldn't care less what they're doing/empowering (cens rship, living life vicariously through others, superficiality, change of behaviors, sh tstorms, bragging/antagonizing/fooling culture), has not been the most important thing to do in young people's lives, who are unaware that they're unaware. Like that, they won't have the discipline, focus and consistency of Alija Izetbegović, whose presentation in the museum shows these character traits pay off and lead to a fulfilled life. Great views between the two museum areas as well. It's my favorite...

The fact that it's full of propaganda and zero critical notes is, of course, to be expected from any museum dedicated to one specific head of state. But in addition, it's also pretty boring. Little to be learned about the actual contents of Izetbegović's ideology or policies (for example, there is basically zero information about the stances of his "Islamic Declaration"). Instead, the visitor is presented with a mass of vaguely quotable oneliners that you might encounter on a coffeeshop wall, a bunch of international awards, and pictures of Izetbegović with about every politician in the world.

Part of it probably boils down to the fact that he was simply not the most interesting or visionary guy. He was a typical right-leaning "Islamic centrist" who would not even be known today if he did not happen to be in charge at the most dramatic moment in Bosnian history. But then again, the museum does not do anything to...