Cafe Tito in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Josef Broz Tito occupied a unique place in the cultural memory of the countries that previously comprised Yugoslavia. To some, he was a human rights-violating authoritarian. To others, he was a “benevolent dictator” who kept simmering ethnic tensions from boiling over, as they did after the breakup of Yugoslavia and subsequent Bosnian war. What better legacy to pair with the treasured Bosnian past times of sipping coffee and beer than his? At Cafe Tito, the mythical man watches over patrons from the photos, posters, news articles, magazines, and memorabilia featuring his likeness. The interior of the cafe is painted communist red, balancing out an exterior patio showcasing Sarajevo’s natural greenery… and green military vehicles. Next to a children’s playground lies a decommissioned tank, military truck, and out-of-use weaponry. Fun for the whole family! Started in the early 2000s as a tribute to the era in which Tito reigned supreme, the owners have spent over twenty years gathering material related to his rise, glory days, and demise from miscellaneous, multimedia sources. Peruse the interior for a fragmented history of a man who, at times, seemed larger than life, and still rep…

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