Bosnia’s capital welcomes Ramadan with centuries-old Ottoman-era cannon fire tradition

​​​​​​​By Talha Ozturk and Ismail Ozdemir

SARAJEVO (AA) - Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the arrival of Ramadan on Wednesday in the capital with a traditional cannon shot fired from the historic Yellow Fortress, upholding a centuries-old custom dating to the Ottoman era.

Hundreds of children and families gathered in the Old Town area of Bascarsija ahead of the evening call to prayer and walked toward the fortress carrying colorful balloons.

Joyful voices echoed through the Ottoman-era stone streets, adding a festive spirit to Sarajevo’s spiritual atmosphere.

The procession created visually striking scenes as children expressed excitement and families shared in the celebration.

With the firing of the cannon, children released balloons into the sky to mark the start of the holy month.

The balloons rising above Sarajevo symbolized unity, hope and solidarity associated with Ramadan.

The tradition of announcing Ramadan with cannon fire, maintained since the Ottoman era, continued not only in Sarajevo but also in other cities across the nation, reinforcing a strong cultural bond between the past and present.