Hasib Ramić, born in 1880 in Vratnik, was the first magician of Sarajevo and the last performer of the Karađoz Theatre—a unique form of folk theatre and popular entertainment. Although his artistic name was Mehmed, he was best known as Karađoz (“black eye”), named after the main character of the theatre he performed with great success.
His journey into the world of illusion began in childhood. Watching a travelling magician through a hole in the ceiling of a tavern in Vratnik, Hasib memorised several tricks, which he later performed first for children and then for adults. Highly skilled and inventive, he made figures from wax and paper, and crafted most of his magical props himself.
As an artist and entertainer, he was immensely popular not only in Sarajevo but far beyond. Driven by a restless spirit, he travelled frequently, performing for audiences across the region. His shows consisted of two parts: feats of magic such as hypnosis and telepathy, followed by performances of the Karađoz Theatre, rich in humour, satire, and the spirit of the time. His stage partner was Nata, while Hasib himself promoted his shows, sold tickets, and called out to passers-by with memorable phrases that became part of Sarajevo’s urban legend.
In 1949, the Museum of Sarajevo acquired his collection from his sister, Nura Mundžehasić. Today, the collection comprises around 200 items and stands as a valuable testimony to an almost forgotten world of Sarajevo’s popular entertainment and street art.
As part of the celebration of the 77th anniversary of the Museum of Sarajevo, Despić House becomes a place to rediscover Karađoz and the magic of Sarajevo’s past.
