The Bosnia and Herzegovina national anthem lyrics do not officially exist. The national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina is titled “Intermezzo”, and it is performed without any official words. The music was composed by Dušan Šestić and adopted in 1999.
Although many lyric proposals have been written over the years, none have been officially approved. As a result, the anthem is always performed instrumentally at state ceremonies and international events.
Lyric Mean
There is no official line-by-line meaning for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national anthem lyrics because the anthem has no authorized text.
This absence is intentional rather than accidental. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multi-ethnic state, and agreeing on lyrics that fairly represent all communities has proven difficult. To avoid political or ethnic imbalance, the country continues to use a wordless anthem.
Because there are no lyrics, the music itself carries the symbolic role. The melody is calm, neutral, and formal, designed to represent the state without favoring language, religion, or ethnic identity.
Any lyrics found online or in unofficial recordings are not recognized by the government and should not be treated as official.
The Story Behind Bosnia and Herzegovina’s National Anthem
After the Bosnian War in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina needed new national symbols that could be accepted by all groups within the country. Earlier anthems were closely tied to specific political or ethnic identities.
In 1999, the instrumental anthem Intermezzo was adopted as a temporary solution. Over time, it became permanent due to ongoing disagreement over lyrics.
Several attempts were made to introduce words in different languages or neutral forms, but none gained enough support to be formally adopted. Rather than force a compromise, the country chose to keep the anthem without lyrics.
Today, the anthem is played at official ceremonies, sports events, and international gatherings purely as music. Citizens typically stand in silence during its performance.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains one of the very few countries in the world whose national anthem has no official lyrics, making it unique among European nations.
No Comment! Be the first one.