How a Bosnian Newspaper Survived War by Printing from a Bomb Shelter

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1943 on liberated territory, Oslobođenje became a symbol of resistance. During the Siege of Sarajevo, its staff operated from a makeshift bunker, losing five colleagues to the conflict. Despite their headquarters being set ablaze twice, they never missed a daily edition, proving that journalism can outlast destruction.

Established on August 30, 1943, in Donja Trnova, Oslobođenje began as an anti-Nazi newsletter for the National Liberation Front. Its early contributors included notable writers like Meša Selimović and Branko Ćopić. By the time the war ended in 1945, the publication had moved its operations to Sarajevo, which became its permanent home. The paper reached its commercial peak in 1984, leveraging the Winter Olympics to produce 126 million copies across 21 different editions, supported by a workforce of approximately 2,500 people.

The newspaper's most harrowing chapter began in 1992 during the Siege of Sarajevo. After its ten-story office building was destroyed and set on fire by the Army of Republika Srpska, the staff retreated to a bomb shelter. Despite the constant danger, they maintained a multi-ethnic team of Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, ensuring the paper reached the public every single day. This defiance earned them international acclaim, including the 1993 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and recognition from the World Press Review, which honored editors Kemal Kurspahić and Gordana Knežević for their unwavering commitment to journalistic principles.

The resilience of the staff left a profound impact on international observers. In April 1993, US Senator Joe Biden visited the newsroom, later noting that the paper provided a rare glimmer of hope in a fractured region. Following the war, the institution continued to receive accolades, including the University of Missouri Honor Medal in 1995. Today, the brand has evolved beyond its print origins, operating under the ownership of Sarajevska pivara since 2006. It now functions as a multimedia corporation, encompassing digital portals, children's publications, and several television channels, continuing a legacy that began in the midst of World War II.

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