This year marks the 25th anniversary of the genocide, when more than 8,000 Bosniaks were killed in 1995. Some of the surviving victims returned to Srebrenica, while others are scattered around the world. For years, everyone has searched, and many are still searching, for their loved ones killed in July 1995. For years, Bosniaks have buried identified victims of the genocide in the cemetery of the Potočari Memorial Center every July 11.
Remembering Srebrenica and the BH UK Network have been working closely together in recent months to organise a central commemoration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, which was due to take place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London in July. Confirmed speakers included the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Reis of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as senior members of the British government.
Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the central commemoration has been postponed until next year, as the well-being of guests and speakers is the priority during this crisis. Although this news was widely expected following the social distancing measures taken in the UK, it is still disappointing that we will not be able to celebrate this momentous anniversary as we had hoped.
This year has been different for many people around the world, and we have had to learn and adapt to the new circumstances. Therefore, we announce that a historic online commemoration will be organized to take place on the evening of Saturday, July 11, 2020, on the occasion of Srebrenica Remembrance Day. The event will be broadcast on many channels and social networks, and will include video testimonies and messages from survivors and key figures.
Please remember this date, July 11, 2020. We hope you will join us in this important commemoration and encourage your family and friends to watch and participate if possible.
Virtual Museum – Remembering Srebrenica will create a virtual museum that will allow millions of people around the world to learn about personal stories from the war and genocide in Bosnia. The online museum will be “opened” during Srebrenica Remembrance Week as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. We are asking members of the Bosnian community in the UK and around the world to be part of the commemoration by sending a short story, along with a picture of a personal item or significant memory from the war or refugee period, explaining the meaning of the item and memory. The aim is to provide a platform for survivors to not only share a part of their personal story, but also to commemorate those who are no longer with us.
Send applications by Friday, May 22, to the following emails: amra@srebrenica.org.uk or arnesa@srebrenica.org.uk.
In addition to the commemorations, Remembering Srebrenica works in schools across the UK and has reached over 95,000 children through educational packs on the lessons learned from the Srebrenica genocide and other educational activities. They have organised nearly 7,500 memorial events and activities across the UK, with 1,350 activists helping to organise these activities and committing to confronting hatred and bigotry in their local communities.
The theme for this year’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide is ” Every action matters.” The goal of this theme is to motivate people to show that their actions, no matter how big or small, can stand up to hatred, prejudice, and genocide denial.
BH UK Network
