The song “Poletela golubica (Полетела голубица) is about a symbolic dove that represents the beloved. The title literally means ‘A dove flew away.’ In the lyrics, the dove flies from Sarajevo across the world and becomes the messenger of love and longing. The singer speaks to her as if she were the beloved herself: he longs for her but doubts whether he will ever reach her. His heart is filled with sorrow and yearning, while at the same time he sings of the beauty of Sarajevo - a city that in the song is inextricably linked with love and memory.

The song is a sevdalinka, a traditional love song from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's lyrics are by Fahrudin Pecikoza. Hari Varešanović wrote the music. He is the soloist, main composer, and lyricist for the band Hari Mata Hari. Through this band, the song became very popular in Bosnia and is still often played at weddings and celebrations. The song celebrates Sarajevo and evokes feelings of homesickness and love for the city, especially among Bosnians living abroad.

I think this is a beautiful song, very nostalgic. I feel, in a way, like a dove soaring across the world, yet keeping Sarajevo forever in its heart. It feels like a loss.

My name is Edina Bavcic. I am now 53 years old and was born in Sarajevo. When I was 21, I fled the war and have now lived and worked in Enschede for 32 years. This is where my children are, and this is my home. That is why I have taken Enschede to my heart just as much as my hometown Sarajevo. I only go on vacation to Sarajevo once a year, and vacation there is never enough, of course …