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Svetlana Velmar-Janković
Muzej Valter brani Sarajevo (Bosnian) | |
 | |
| Established | April 2019 |
|---|---|
| Location | Dženetića Čikma 12, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Type | Film and cultural heritage museum |
| Visitors | 35,700 (as of 2025) |
The Walter Defends Sarajevo Museum (Bosnian: Valter brani Sarajevo; Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Валтер брани Сарајево) is a cultural institution in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, dedicated to the 1972 Yugoslav partisan film Walter Defends Sarajevo.[1] Opened in April 2019, the museum celebrates the film's enduring legacy and its impact on both local and international audiences, particularly in China.[2]
History
The museum was established to commemorate the cultural significance of Walter Defends Sarajevo, directed by Hajrudin Krvavac.[3] The film portrays the resistance efforts of a Yugoslav partisan leader, Walter, during World War II in Sarajevo.[3] It gained immense popularity in the former Yugoslavia and achieved cult status in China, where it became the most-watched foreign film of all time.[4][5]
Exhibits and features
The museum offers a range of exhibits that include original film props, costumes, photographs, and interactive displays. Visitors can explore the historical context of the film, its production, and its reception both domestically and internationally. Special attention is given to the film's impact in China, highlighting its role in cultural diplomacy and tourism.[6]
Cultural impact
Walter Defends Sarajevo holds a significant place in Yugoslav cinema, representing themes of unity and resistance.[7] The film's popularity in China led to various cultural exchanges, including the naming of streets and businesses after the character Walter. The museum serves as a testament to the film's enduring legacy and its role in fostering international cultural connections.[8]
Gallery
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Walter Defends Sarajevo Museum -
Walter Defends Sarajevo Museum -
Walter Defends Sarajevo Museum from the outside, 2023.
See also
References
- ^ "Take a Look inside the newly opened 'Valter defends Sarajevo' Museum". Sarajevo Times. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ Bajrovic, Reuf (13 April 2019). "China loves this obscure 1972 Yugoslavian movie — and Sarajevo is cashing in". Quartz. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ a b "U Sarajevu otvoren muzej "Valter brani Sarajevo", posvećen kultnom filmu". Klix.ba. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ Scott, Matthew (22 April 2022). "China's Favorite Foreign Movie Is a Yugoslav War Film From 1972". Sixth Tone. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Wang, Kaihao (18 December 2014). "Generation of Chinese film goers took Yugoslav drama into its heart". China Daily. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Shopov, Vladimir (1 February 2021). "Decade of Patience: How China Became a Power in the Western Balkans". European Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Donia, Robert J. (2006). Sarajevo: A Biography. University of Michigan Press. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-472-03174-0.
- ^ "U Sarajevu otvoren Muzej "Valter brani Sarajevo"". Radio Sarajevo. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
