Promotion of the Monograph “Acta Ottomanica Saraevoensia” by Nenad Filipović

The promotion of the monograph Acta Ottomanica Saraevoensia (Ottoman documents from the Archive of the Oriental Institute of the University of Sarajevo – study catalog), authored by Nenad Filipović, was held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in the ceremonial hall of the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo.

Introductory addresses were given by Prof. Dr. Maja Arslanagić-Kalajdžić, Director of the Center for Research and Development, and Ms. Nadina Grebović-Lendo, Director of the University of Sarajevo Library.

The monograph was promoted by Prof. Dr. Kerima Filan, Dr. Sci. Fazileta Hafizović, Prof. Dr. Amila Buturović, and Dr. Sci. Ramiza Smajić, after which the author Nenad Filipović addressed the attendees.

The moderator of the promotion was Rijana Jusfbegović, MA.

The Ottoman Archive of the Oriental Institute of the University of Sarajevo is one of the most valuable collections of historical heritage owned by the University of Sarajevo. In addition to losses caused by fire during the wartime events in Sarajevo, the archive represents an invaluable collection that has been presented in the form of a monograph.

Authored by archivist Nenad Filipović from the Department of Documentation of the Oriental Institute, the monograph was prepared and printed in 2024. It contains facsimiles of the most valuable documents from the collection, with Latin transliteration of the texts, physical descriptions of the materials (30 documents from the Archive), as well as paleographic, diplomatic, and philological analyses, along with translations of the descriptions into English.

The creation and printing of this monograph enable the presentation of the significant collection of the University of Sarajevo in accordance with international scientific standards. It also contributes to the popularization of Bosnian heritage and research materials, making them visible and accessible to the broader research community.

“This project by author Nenad Filipović, one of the truly top Ottomanists, is very significant. He collected numerous Ottoman documents in this project. The author did not leave all the data, events, and personalities at the local level but placed them in a broader context, integrating 'small history' into larger historical themes.” – Dr. Sci. Fazileta Hafizović

“The transliterated text, accompanied by a series of competent notes by the author on philological specifics, is valuable material for further philological research. The descriptions of the documents can convincingly be called short studies. It is an extensive and detailed research that we highly recommend.” – Prof. Dr. Kerima Filan

Nenad Filipović (Sarajevo, 20 July  1962). Completed primary school “Miljenko Cvitković” and the First Gymnasium – Classical Department in Sarajevo. Studied Oriental Studies, History, and Islamology in Sarajevo, Belgrade, Vienna, and Princeton. Since 1982, has published over thirty studies on Ottomanology, history, art history, Balkanology, and Islamology in Bosnian and international journals, in Bosnian, French, English, and Turkish. Published two books: Tugre i Penče from Sarajevo Collections (1985), Riznica Stare Srpsko-pravoslavne Crkve u Sarajevu (1986). In print: The Grand Vizier Köprülü Sinan Pasha and the Burning of the Relics of St. Sava Nemanjić (Belgrade, SG), and co-authored with M. Shahab Ahmed, Neither Paradise nor Hellfire (Cambridge, Mass. – Istanbul).

The publication is part of the DigiProHUMANE project – Promoting digital infrastructure in the humanities and arts, funded by the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Youth of the Canton Sarajevo.