Postage stamp „Cultural and historical heritage – the building of the CBBH“

Within the Annual programme of issues of commemorative and regular postage stamps for 2022, JP BH Pošta has issued the commemorative stamp with the subject and motive „Cultural and historical heritage – the building of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina“, which was presented today, on 05 September 2022 in the building of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) expresses its great pleasure that its building, as a national monument, has become a part of history of postage stamps issued by JP BH Pošta, particularly having in mind that the postage stamp has been issued in the year when the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina marks the 25 anniversary of its work.  

 „This year, when our institution marks the 25 anniversary of its work, BH Pošta has contributed by issuing the commemorative stamp with the motive by which the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the city of Sarajevo are recognisable“, Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senad Softić Ph.D., said during the presentation, stressing that the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been the pillar of monetary and financial stability during all these years.

Execetive Director of Postal Operation Sector of JP BH Pošta, Mr. Avdija Numanović stressed on this occasion that JP BH Pošta, through its many years long work, has tried to keep the tradition and cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“In the impressing building of the Central Bank, and the national monument of BH at the same time, we are presenting today the postage stamp dedicated to this building and its importance for all the citizens, through history and particularly through its work, Mr. Numanović said and added that the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most stable and successful institutions of BH, which, at the international and local level, is established as a strong, professional and responsible institution.

The postage stamp dedicated to the building of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been issued in 10,000 pieces, in the nominal value of KM 1.50, and the author of the stamp is designer of BH Pošta, Abdulah Branković. The appropriate FDC envelope has also been printed.

The building of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina was constructed in the period from 1929 to 1932 as the main branch of the state owned Hipotekarna banka. The construction was started on the basis of the design of architect Milan Zloković, and a stage designer of the National Theatre in Belgrade Vladimir Pavlovič Zagorodnjuk was in charge to create eight reliefs for the head and sidewise facades. He was also the author of two bronze monumental figures of a man and a woman set by the main entrance, by which this building and the institution of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been recognised most in the public.

During the period 1992–1995, the objects of great cultural and historical value were kept in the building, and it was also used as the archives of the Republic Institute for Protection of Cultural and Historical Monuments. It is known that the Sarajevo Haggadah was kept in this building until the end of the war. Since 1997, when it was established, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been located in this building. By the Decision of the Commission for Preserving National Monuments of BH, the building was declared a national monument in 2009.

„Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aware of the importance and historical significance of this building which has been entrusted to it for keeping and management, has invested significant efforts and funds for years to maintain this pearl of cultural, historical and architectural heritage of BH adequately.

During 2019 and 2020, important art conservation works were performed on the statues as well as the repair of the stairs at the entrance of the building.