The book launch of “Od Batona do Kulina” by Suad Haznadarević and Emir Medanhodžić took place on January 7, 2025, in a packed municipal hall (7th arrondissement) in Paris. The event was attended by 30–40 participants, with the atmosphere enhanced by the serving of French wines, cheeses, and sweets.
The exceptional success of the event was confirmed by the fact that all books sold out within minutes.
The Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” expresses sincere gratitude to the association “5 Million Friends of BiH”, led by Edo Šabanagić, and his team – Zehra, Marisa, Mirna, David, and Edwin—as well as other collaborators, for the excellent organization of this important event.
This promotion reflects the strong desire of our diaspora to engage in events that celebrate and remember the rich history and heritage of our country. Unfortunately, assimilation in the Francophone environment was evident, as the entire promotion was conducted in French (with translation for the authors), while younger generations almost no longer speak Bosnian. Nevertheless, the key message was successfully conveyed—the importance of preserving the identity, history, and heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A special part of the event was dedicated to the example of Ahmed-paša Džezar from Fatnica, near Bileća, about whom most attendees had no prior knowledge. The audience learned that in 1799, near Acre (Palestine), he was the first to defeat Napoleon’s army. This event prompted Napoleon to reportedly say: “Had it not been for Ahmed-paša Džezar, I would have conquered the whole world.” Unfortunately, this significant historical figure today has neither a street, monument, nor plaque in his native Fatnica.
The Paris book launch demonstrated the importance of continuing similar activities that contribute to preserving our history and strengthening connections among the diaspora.