The trip that wants to reconnect Bosnia
25 March 2025
Equipped with nothing but a wooden crucifix and a Bosnian flag, Josip Jelinić, a young Bosnian catholic, embarked on a one thousand-kilometre walk with a modest goal in mind: reconnect Muslims, Serbian-Orthodox, and Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On his path, Jelinić passed through Sarajevo, Mostar, and Banja Luka – the three main Bosnian cities for the Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox communities. He'll finish his trip on Good Friday on 18 April.
Judging by the reactions across the country, he's on track to achieve his goal. Locals cherished and supported him, offering a place for the night, food, and encouragement. "The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have a good heart. We must not allow anyone to dissuade us from this," Jelinić shared in a recent interview.
 | Alessandro Cinciripini Jelinić timed his cross-religious hike well. Tensions within Bosnia's divided political system are at an all-time high. After the arrest of Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Republika Srpska, the Serbian-Orthodox majority entity may soon secede from the state. Despite political woes, stories like Jelinić's show the world that hospitality and respect for diversity in Bosnia aren't lost whether national leaders and mainstream media want it or not. Surprisingly, Jelinić's adventure received positive feedback from the local national media, who are increasingly covering his journey throughout the country. |
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