Зворник қаласы: тарих, мәдениет және географиясы

City in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Zvornik (, ) is a city in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina]. In 2013, it had a population of 58,856 inhabitants. The town of Mali Zvornik ("Little Zvornik") lies directly across the river in Serbia. Kula Grad, a village that is part of Zvornik municipality, has a Middle Age fort, Zvornik fortress, built in the 12th century.

Zvornik is first mentioned in 1410, although it was known as Zvonik ("bell tower") at that time. The town's geographic location has made it an important trade link between Bosnia and the east. For instance, the main road connecting Sarajevo and Belgrade runs through the city. The medieval fort known as Kula grad was built in the early 7th century and still stands on the Mlađevac mountainous range overlooking the Drina Valley.

During the Ottoman period, Zvornik was the capital of the Sanjak of Zvornik (an administrative region) within the Eyalet of Bosnia. This was primarily the case because of the city's crucial role in the economy and the strategic importance of the city's location. The Sanjak of Zvornik was one of six Ottoman sanjaks with most developed shipbuilding (besides the sanjaks of Vidin, Nicopolis, Požega, Smederevo and Mohač). In 1806, Zvornik was home to Mehmed beg Kulenović.

Ustasha troops of the fascist Independent State of Croatia occupied Zvornik, along with most of Bosnia, in April 1941. The town was liberated in July 1943 by the 1st Proletarian Brigade during the Battle of Zvornik.

The Cultural Summer of Zvornik (Zvorničko kulturno ljeto) is an annual event held in the first week of August, usually for six days. Its main objective is to become a traditional cultural event which will open the doors of Zvornik for recognized cultural values. The festival was first held in August 2001 as a local event and has grown to be one of the biggest festivals in the Balkans. In 2007, famous singers such as Neda Ukraden and Sandi Cenov participated, but in 2008 theis festival featured some of the most notable stars from former Yugoslavia, like Željko Joksimović, Hari Mata Hari, Van Gogh and Marinko Rokvić. There is also a regatta on the river Drina, a fun marathon and many cultural events and competitions during day and night.

The local football clubs, FK Drina Zvornik and ŽFK Drina Zvornik, play in the First League of the Republika Srpska. Members of the First league of Republika Srpska also are volleyball and handball clubs Zvornik.