The “Speaking Out” Exhibition is fully dedicated to, but also co-created with the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and children born of war. The Exhibition will be on view at the New Temple Gallery until July 1, and you can visit it free of charge every day except Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00.
Speakers at the opening event held at the courtyard of the Jewish Museum of BiH were WCM’s Amina Krvavac, Midheta Kaloper Oruli who spoke for the women who survived conflict-related sexual violence, the Forgotten Children of War’s Ajna Jusić and Lejla Damon, Deputy Head of the British Embassy in Sarajevo Dr. Ruth Wiseman, and the IOM’s Chief of Mission Laura Lungarotti.
Krvavac stressed that the WCM felt obligated to give its contribution to documenting the experiences of survivors and children born of war, especially since “the very topic of wartime sexual violence and rape is still a taboo in the society today, while the issues these people face are multiple.”
Midheta Kaloper Oruli stated that she “cannot begin her address with the words of gratitude towards the BiH institutions” since many needs of the survivors remain unaddressed today. Instead, she emphasized the significance of having taken part in the body mapping workshop that preceded the exhibition. Oruli asked all in attendance, as well as BiH society as a whole “to take a long and careful look at how the survivors illustrated their lives”, expressing the wish to see individuals and institutions as partners in solving their needs in the future.
Ajna Jusić and Lejla Damon expressed gratitude at the opportunity to have the experiences of children and survivors presented to the public in this way, stressing that the exhibition illustrates not just the issues and painful experiences, but great strength and perseverance of these people.
Dr. Ruth Wiseman stressed the dedication of the UK Government towards creating a safe space for survivors and children born of war, as well as the need to work towards finding solutions pertaining to legislature, but also eliminate stigma that survivors and children face in their daily life.
For her address, the IOM’s Chief of Mission Laura Lungarotti called on everyone to express their support for the survivors with a symbolic gesture, which was followed by a group photo. After the guided tours of the exhibition, attendees enjoyed refreshments prepared by women from “Zvijezda” Association in Vareš.
The Exhibition is realized in cooperation with the IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina , the Forgotten Children of War Association, the Wings of Hope Foundation, the Psiholab Association, and with the support of the British Embassy Sarajevo.
