World Premiere of "Flowers of Srebrenica" at SARTR Theatre in July

(Patria) - Sarajevo War Theatre (SARTR), LegalElijens Theatre (UK), and the MESS International Theatre Festival have announced the world premiere of the play "Flowers of Srebrenica" on July 9 and 10 at the Sarajevo War Theatre (SARTR). This international co-production commemorates the 30th anniversary of the genocide committed in Srebrenica.

The play will be performed in Tuzla, Belgrade (Serbia), London (United Kingdom), Oslo (Norway), and Pisa (Italy), with additional European dates during the autumn of 2025, SARTR announced.

The performance on July 10 is part of the WARM Festival 2025 program.

Inspired by Ajdan Hehir's graphic novel, this original production brings together professional actors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Ukraine, and Ireland, blending original text with physical theatre, animated projection, and personal testimonies – drawing parallels between atrocities and the present reality. The play poses questions: how is memory preserved, how is it shared, and why must it never fade.

"At its heart is the memory of Srebrenica. But what does memory mean? Is it a monument, a grave, a photograph, a survivor's testimony? Or can it become an act of solidarity – something carried collectively, not left solely on the shoulders of those who survived the tragedy?", the statement reads.

The play reinterprets the novel's narrative (the journey of an Irish professor from Sarajevo to the Memorial Center) through a chorus of female storytellers. These women belong to no specific place or time; they lead, interrupt, and question the action, acting as keepers of memory and contemporary witnesses. Their stories invite reflection not only on Srebrenica but also on today's world – torn by conflict, denial, and propaganda.

The cast includes: Selma Alispahić (SARTR), Taz Munianeza, Valeria Pogolša, Edin Suljić, and Kilian O'Donohue. The performance unfolds as a poetic, political, and visually striking meditation on loss, responsibility, and resistance.

LegalElijens Theatre is a London-based ensemble led by migrants. They are known for their work with refugee and migrant artists, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and justice. In developing "Flowers of Srebrenica," they did not aim to "retell the war in the Balkans" – a task that rightly belongs to those who survived it. Instead, they asked: What can the world learn from Srebrenica, 30 years later? And if stories are not shared – what are the consequences? This is not a play that points fingers. This is a play about what it means to remember.

"Srebrenica is not just history, it is also a warning," says director Lara Parmiani.

"This play does not speak on behalf of Bosnia. It listens, it pays tribute, and it tries to understand how your story speaks to all of us. It also acknowledges our role as outsiders, with an honest approach and respect for the material," she adds.

SARTR Director Maja Salkić stated that discussions about collaboration began over a year ago with the desire to realize the play "Flowers of Srebrenica."

"Knowing that the thirtieth anniversary of the genocide committed in Srebrenica, as well as 30 years of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, awaited us, my wish was for Srebrenica to be discussed beyond the borders of BiH, for actors from various parts of the world to speak, and for our focus to be on young citizens of BiH who may not have even been born in the 1990s. I want Srebrenica to become a symbol of peace and the correct understanding of historical facts. The genocide in Srebrenica is the most severe historical act in the Balkans and Europe, and confronting this event is crucial for building a just society. Through theatre, young people in particular can learn about empathy and preventing the recurrence of tragedies in the world. Above all, by respecting the victims and promoting universal values, the global fight against hatred, discrimination, and wars," Salkić said.