Reconstruction of Vijećnica, the National University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, is entering its fourth and final phase, in readiness for a special EBU co-production featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) in commemoration of the World War I Centenary.

The concert, which will be transmitted by Eurovision to TV and radio broadcasters around the world on June 28, will feature a musical programme with strong connections to the historical events of 1914-1918, inviting reflection, analysis and remembrance of an era-defining conflict.

The venue serves as a poignant link between past and more recent European turmoil. One hundred years ago on 28 June 1914, Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated as his cavalcade passed by the iconic building, setting off a chain of events that would embroil the world's major powers in a war of unprecedented scale.

In 1949, after a period serving as Sarajevo’s town hall,  the premises were established as one of the most renowned and best equipped libraries in the former Yugoslavia. However in August 1992, a substantial portion of the library’s collection of rare books, documents and paintings was lost, when the building was shelled by Bosnian Serb rockets during the Seige of Sarajevo. 

Initial work to stabilize Vijecnica was completed in 1996 and 1997 with a donation from Austria. The European Commission funded the second stage of renovations, which lasted from 2000 to 2004. Since 2006, the City of Sarajevo has been principally responsible for the reconstruction work and the building will reopen its doors for the first time for the performance.  

A key challenge for architects has been to restore the facade of the building, designed by Czech architect Karel Pařik in 1891. Where ever possible, parts of the original building have been preserved.

Now, attention is being given to the building’s interior. Teams of master craftsmen have been brought in to lay parquet and ceramic floors and match paint samples where possible to the original colour scheme with the help of old postcards, photographs, TV footage and documents from abroad.

The EBU has negotiated concert rights for EBU members in European territories in a special deal with the VPO.

Performance fees have been waived for the invitation-only event, and the performance will be relayed free to giant screens outside the venue to a large public audience as part of the co-production involving EBU Members BHRT (Bosnia & Herzogovina), ZDF (Germany) and France Télévisions.