Belgrade, February 22, 2021 - UNHCR is deeply saddened by the passing of Đorđe Balasevic, a poet and singer-songwriter who was loved by people in all the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
A strong opponent of war and violence in the former state, Balasevic was the first artist from Serbia to travel to the war-torn republic of the former Yugoslavia. With the help of UNHCR, he organized two concerts called Reconciliation Concerts in February 1998 in Sarajevo. He donated all the proceeds to children who were victims of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Two months later - at the beginning of April 1998 - the then High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, decided to appoint him as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for the countries of the former Yugoslavia. At the press conference on the occasion of the appointment, Mrs. Ogata stated that his concerts have awakened precious hope to all the people of the former Yugoslavia and expressed her belief that Balasevic has the power to bring those people together again. Seeing the sadness in which the entire region has been enveloped since Friday, Balasevic fulfilled her words during his lifetime and after he left us.
"We have lost a great artist and respected defender of human rights." We will sorely miss him," said Francesca Bonelli, head of the UN Refugee Agency's Representation in Serbia.
Balasevic attended the Millennium Conference of the United Nations in New York together with other UN Goodwill Ambassadors in 2000 at the invitation of the then Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Đorđe Balašević possessed a rare gift to express the feelings of citizens throughout the former Yugoslavia and beyond and to establish an emotional connection with the millions who went to his concerts since the end of the 80s. His ballads pointed to the absurdity of war and ethnic hatred, described the suffering of ordinary people and celebrated love.
UNHCR employees express their deepest condolences to the Balašević family. We honor his life and mourn his loss along with George's many friends and admirers.
UNHCR: CONDOLENCES ON LOSS OF ĐORĐE BALAŠEVIĆ
Belgrade, February 22, 2021 - UNHCR is deeply saddened by the passing away of Đorđe Balašević, a poet and a songwriter loved by people in all the countries of former Yugoslavia.
A strong opponent of the war and violence in the former country, Mr. Balašević was the first artist from Serbia who traveled to the war-affected former republics. With UNHCR support, he organized two concerts dubbed "Reconciliation Concerts" in Sarajevo, BiH in February 1998. He donated all the proceeds to the children - victims of war in BiH.
Two months later - in early April 1998 - the then High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata decided to appoint him a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for the countries of former Yugoslavia. At the press conference following the appointment, Mme Ogata stated that his concerts had awakened valuable hope of all people from the former Yugoslavia and expressed belief that he had the power to bring them together again. Seeing the grief that the whole region has been engulfed in since Friday, Mr. Balašević stood true to his words during his life and after his departure.
"We lost a great artist and an admirable advocate for human rights. He will be sorely missed", said Francesca Bonelli, Representative of the UN Refugee Agency in Serbia.
Mr. Balašević attended the Millennium United Nations conference in New York together with other UN Goodwill Ambassadors at the invitation of the then Secretary General, Kofi Annan in 2000.
Đorđe Balašević had a rare gift of voicing the sentiments of the population around former Yugoslavia and beyond and to connect emotionally with millions who attended his concerts since the late 80s. Throughout his life, his ballads pointed to the absurdity of war and ethnic hatred, described the struggles of ordinary people and celebrated love.
All of us at UNHCR extend our deepest condolences to Đorđe's family and join his many friends and admirers in paying tribute to his life and mourning his loss.
Source: UNHCR
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