Guardian of the Olympic flame and eternal symbol of Sarajevo’s spirit

With the passing of Edin Numankadić, Bosnia and Herzegovina lost not only one of its most important visual artists but also a man who wove his entire life into the foundations of remembrance of the finest days of our city and country. Rightly and proudly we can say — Edo was and remains the supreme guardian of memories of the Sarajevo Olympics of 1984.

A life’s calling between art and Olympism

Although internationally recognized as a visionary visual artist, Edin spent the majority of his career as director of the Museum of the XIV Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo. That role was not a job for him but a destiny. Immediately after the Games ended, on February 19, 1984, the Museum of the XIV OLY was officially opened to preserve the memory of those magnificent days, and the honor of leading this beautiful house of sport and art fittingly belonged to our Edo.

Courage under fire and boundless devotion

He remained faithful to the role of museum guardian until his last day, enduring the most difficult periods a cultural worker can imagine. When the museum in Villa Mandić was set ablaze by shelling in 1992, Edin did not give up. Watching the museum burn, he and a few colleagues, in incredibly dangerous and turbulent circumstances, managed to save a large number of exhibits. Those objects, which meant life to Sarajevo, were then secured in the OC Zetra storage, thanks to his composure and love for the city.

The dream of returning to Petrakija Street

Edo carried the Olympic spirit through displacement and temporary spaces for decades. His great wish was for the Olympic treasures to return to where they belong. The first step was opening a temporary museum in 2004 at the premises of the Olympic Committee of BiH, but his true triumph came in 2020. He welcomed, with tears of joy, the restoration and reopening of the Olympic Museum in its original, magnificent building on Petrakija Street.

Recognition by the world and an everlasting legacy

His work was recognized internationally. At the recommendation of the Olympic Committee of BiH, Edin Numankadić was awarded the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin award by the International Olympic Committee in 2013. This confirmed that his struggle to preserve universal Olympic values had crossed our country’s borders.

For nearly four decades, our dear Edo worked tirelessly to promote and preserve the most beautiful moments of our past. He ensured that the memory of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Olympic heritage and the Olympic spirit continued to live in the hearts of all Bosnians and Herzegovinians.

As an artist, he represented us at the Venice Biennale, bringing the world our pain and our hope. As a director, he preserved our pride. His passing leaves an emptiness, but the Museum remains — a living monument to a man who knew that memories are the most valuable things we possess.