This is a story about a forgotten place in BiH – a place that also carries numerous “adjectives”. It is the youngest, smallest and most rural municipality whose mayor is the youngest mayor in the FBiH – the Municipality of Dobretici.
After the war, it is the sixth most damaged municipality in BiH and majority of houses in this municipality have not been restored yet. There are 300 people living there now, and there are 16 children attending the local school. However, quite normal life is taking place in this municipality, like in any other.
Almost hidden from the eyes of the rest of the world, you can visit this small municipality via small, macadam road. With a look from a distance you can see demolished houses, empty streets and something that seems like a forgotten world.
Today, the village of Dobretici has a church, a post office, a school, and a municipal building. They do not have any stores.
However, a local tavern is a real meeting point of this place. The only place for gathering, conversation and laugh for the local residents.
“I am satisfied, the guests are nice and we all know each other. I love this job and this is the only thing that I know. I do not know where else would I work and live,” said Gordana Ilinkovic, the owner of the tavern.
There is another interesting detail about this small municipality. In the village of Brnjica, at almost 1,500 meters above the sea level, is located the most continuously inhabited house in BiH. It is the house of the Juric family that has 16 family members. Although the most unusual house in BiH, its inhabitants live a quite ordinary life in it.
Only two children have been born in this village since the end of the war until today. Both of them in this house. For 23-year-old mother Valentina, this is the life she always wanted.
The future is not questionable for the people in this house. With so many adjectives and so much oblivion, this municipality continues to breathe and live its daily life despite everything. Life that for 9 months in a year, which is very rare in our country, is taking place under the snow cover.
(Source: N1)