An exhibition was opened in the Old Town in Tešanj, in the area of Dizdar’s tower, organized by the Tešanj Museum “50 years since the catastrophic floods in Tešanj”which is part of the program of this year’s municipal manifestation “Summer in Tešnje 2026.”.
The exhibition brings to mind one of the greatest tragedies in the recent history of Tešanj – the catastrophic floods that hit Tešanj, Medakovo and Tešanjka on July 23, 1976. Twenty panels present authentic photos and documents that testify to the scale of the disaster, but also to the quick reaction of local authorities and broader social solidarity in remediating the consequences.
That fateful night, after several hours of heavy rain, the river Tešanjka overflowed its banks and caused destruction in the city and surrounding settlements. Nine people lost their lives in the floods, while enormous material damage was caused to residential buildings, the economy, educational institutions, communal infrastructure and roads.
Secondary schools in Tešnje and elementary schools in Tešnje, Medakovo and Tešanjka were particularly affected. A dozen business collectives also suffered big losses, including IGP Usora Jelah, Pobjeda, Ukus, Bosna and Univerzal. 260 residential buildings and 152 apartments were severely damaged, while 20 community and 41 individually owned apartments were completely destroyed. The floods also damaged the water supply system, roads, bridges, electrical installations, health facilities, veterinary station and sports fields. The total damage was then estimated at around 200 million dinars.
Along with the exhibition, a reprint edition of the publication was presented “Solace of Summer 1976”supplemented with subsequently identified photographs that, together with other archival material, underwent a process of technical restoration. The publication, published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the catastrophic floods, is a lasting testimony of solidarity, the strength of togetherness and the preservation of the collective memory of Tešnja.
The author of the exhibition and organizer of the reprint edition of the publication is Jasmin Mandžukić.
