I have two homes, like someone who leaves their hometown and/or parents and then establishes a life elsewhere. They might say that they're going home when they return to see old friends or parents, but then they go home as well when they go to where they live now. Sarajevo is home, Chicago is home.

The quote "I have two homes, like someone who leaves their hometown and/or parents and then establishes a life elsewhere. They might say that they're going home when they return to see old friends or parents, but then they go home as well when they go to where they live now. Sarajevo is home, Chicago is home." by Aleksandar Hemon speaks to the idea of dual belonging and the complex nature of home. Hemon, a Bosnian-American writer, reflects on how one's sense of home can extend beyond a single place. For him, both Sarajevo (his birthplace) and Chicago (his adopted city) hold a significant place in his life, creating a sense of split belonging and identity.

Hemon's words highlight the emotional connection to multiple locations in one's life. He draws a comparison between individuals who leave their hometowns but continue to call them home when they visit, while also establishing a new home in their current place of residence. This creates a sense of attachment to more than one location, each representing different stages or aspects of one's life. Home, in this context, is not bound to a single geographical location but to the people and experiences associated with those places.

The origin of this quote likely arises from Hemon's personal journey as an immigrant. Having moved from Sarajevo to Chicago, he navigates the complexities of maintaining connections with both cities while building a new life in the United States. His experience of being displaced by war and later finding a new home in a different culture gives him a unique perspective on the concept of home and identity.

Ultimately, this quote explores the idea that home is not necessarily a fixed, singular place but rather a dynamic and evolving concept. For Hemon, both Sarajevo and Chicago are equally important and serve as symbolic homes that reflect different parts of his life and identity. It speaks to the universal experience of adapting to new environments while retaining ties to one's past.