Circle 99

The Association of independent intellectuals – Circle 99 (Krug 99) is closely linked to Studio 99, created in 1991 as an independent radio station in Sarajevo. During the siege, this radio station became one of the important non-governmental voices advocating for a common, democratic and multinational BiH, against plans of dividing BiH and Sarajevo,  providing space also for criticism towards nationalist tendencies within the SDA-led government. Their calls, such as the “Appeal to the conscience of the world” in December 1993, were disseminated internationally, for example in Switzerland, thanks to the group Kulturbrücke Schweiz – Sarajevo.

In February 1994, Adil Kulenovic and the other intellectuals around “Studio 99” created the association “Circle 99” (Krug 99). The new organisation became fastly known internationally. and their statements were regularly translated and relayed for example in France, especially thanks to the Association Sarajevo. The most spectacular war-time initiative by Krug 99 was launched in Autumn 1994 : the “Declaration for a Free and Unified Sarajevo”. Encouraged by the success of the Declaration, Krug 99 and Studio 99 developed other initiatives, for example, “99 – Journal of Free Thought / Revija slobodne misli,” with international support, for example by the “King Baudouin Foundation” in Belgium, the Olaf Palme Foundation and the Open Society Fund. Members of Krug 99 were also invited to public events on BiH in Western capitals, for example in Paris and Brussels in February 1995, and in November 1995 the Albert Moravia Foundation in Rome awarded Krug 99 with its annual award.

25 years after the war, Krug 99 continues to exist, gathering around 150 intellectuals, and through various activities, it continues in its commitment to a common, multinational and civic Bosnia and Herzegovina.