Sarajevo Roses

Roses from Sarajevo (Bosnian Sarajevske ruže) is the name given to a certain type of memorial in the streets of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was besieged by Serbian troops for several years during the Bosnian War and under artillery fire, killing numerous civilians. On average, around 300 bullets hit Sarajevo every day. The impact of grenades has left traces on the asphalt, the shape of which is vaguely reminiscent of a flower. Sarajevans have marked the craters with red resin to remind people that a person died there. The “creator” of the roses was never known, so they are considered the common work of everyone who was in the city during the siege. The roses are constantly being freshened up by volunteers to protect them from wear and tear from pedestrians and the weather.

The “Roses of Sarajevo” are intended to remind people of the dark sides of the war in the city.