Disappointed Fans Outside Koševo: 'Dino, Thief!'
The first of three sold-out concerts by Dino Merlin at Sarajevo's Koševo stadium was marked by spectacle, but also serious organizational failures that left many ticket holders outside the stadium.
The first of three sold-out concerts by Dino Merlin at Sarajevo's Koševo stadium was marked by spectacle, but also serious organizational failures that left many ticket holders outside the stadium.
After an 11-year wait, Dino Merlin returned to Koševo, but the comeback was overshadowed by serious organizational issues. Despite the emotional atmosphere and tens of thousands of voices singing along to his hits, hundreds of fans with purchased tickets were left outside the gates.
As reported by Tportal, citing Fokus.ba's reporter, frustrated fans expressed their discontent with loud chants of "Dino, thief!" and whistling. Among those left outside the stadium were people who had traveled from various regions to attend the concert.
Sources differ in their estimates of how many people failed to enter. Tportal mentions "hundreds of fans," while N1 BiH reports a "large number" of people. It is currently unclear how this failure occurred, but there are speculations that scalpers produced duplicate tickets, leading to unprecedented disappointment.
The concert started with a delay. According to Klix.ba, Dino Merlin took the stage after 9 PM, while Tportal states the show began at 9:15 PM. He opened with "Da šutiš," and the audience sang along in unison. Hits followed, including "Kad si rekla da me voliš," "Sve je laž," "Je l' Sarajevo gdje je nekad bilo," and many others from a career spanning over 40 years.
"Welcome, dear friends. What a night, what a sight. Is this my youth, is this my sevdah," Merlin addressed the crowd, as reported by N1 BiH, before performing "Mi."
He was joined on stage by guests. With Senidah, he performed the duet "Dođi," which Koševo sang in one voice, writes Klix.ba. Ivana Banfić, who has lived outside the region for many years, appeared to sing the hit "Godinama" with Merlin, evoking nostalgia among the tens of thousands in attendance. Particularly emotional moments were triggered by the performance of "Furaj mali" with Mahir Sarihodžić.
A tribute to Halid Bešlić was also planned, featuring an impressive drone show above the stadium.
At the end of the concert, Merlin emotionally addressed the crowd: "Thank you for an incredible night. I enjoyed every moment. Emotions got the better of me, but that's what happens when you're in your own city. I don't have answers to all the questions, to what's happening in the world and around us, but each of us has access to a light. Keep that light for our children and grandchildren who are coming. Let the wish for peace for all good people of this world go out from Sarajevo tonight. Long live youth!" Klix.ba quotes him.
This was just the first of three planned performances. According to organizers' estimates, as reported by N1 BiH, all three concerts together will draw around 200,000 attendees. Merlin will also perform at Koševo on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026.
