Recently, a group from the Blazuj Temporary Reception Centre in Sarajevo visited the War Childhood Museum. After touring the permanent exhibition and experiencing the interactive installation that evokes childhood memories, participants took part in the storytelling workshop.
The main goal of this workshop was to build mutual trust and provide a safe space for each participant to unleash their voice and write a short story about an event or episode from their own life. Inspired by what they saw and experienced in the museum, they first wanted to discuss their childhood memories and then write down some significant moments from them.
The workshop was led by museum employees, writer Lejla Kalamujic and educator Amina Surkovic, and we have selected a few segments from the stories to share with you.
We were very happy
I had a wonderful childhood in Syria, a village surrounded by trees and springs. I would go with my friends to the fields, where we played and ran on the grass every day. Then we would go to the springs and pools to swim and play in the water. We also played various games, especially in the spring.
In winter, my brothers and I would search the forest for mushrooms. Upon returning home, we would put them on the wooden stove and play the game ‘House of Houses’ (بيت بيوت). When it snowed, we would go out on the street and have snowball fights until our hands turned red from the cold.
We were very happy!
Ahmed Al Hussein, Syria
Playing Games was All to Us
My childhood in Morocco wasn’t any different from other children’s. We played, explored, and enjoyed the time ahead of us. It was a wonderful childhood, where your only concern was what to play. We would go out early in the morning and come back late in the evening.
All day playing, then straight to bed…
I Loved Studying
I would wake up early and go to school. When I returned home, I would have lunch and then play soccer outside. I remember going with my uncles to the fields to feed the dogs, chickens, sheep, and goats. I learned to drive a tractor and a motorcycle. I loved studying English, but unfortunately, I couldn’t continue. Thank God, everyone loved me. My uncles taught me how to play cards. I also had a bicycle, but still, I didn’t fully experience my childhood.
Muhamed Idris, Syria
The Day I’ll Never Forget
We used to enjoy winter when everything is covered with snow. We would climb the nearby hills and make snowmen. Once, after prayer, children and adults made snowballs and had a snowball fight together. It was a wonderful day full of fun that I’ll never forget.
Besides that, I spent the most beautiful moments of my childhood with my mom, helping her in the kitchen.
Qais, Syria
This visit was organized in cooperation with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS BiH) and volunteers from the Blazuj Camp.
If you want to visit our permanent exhibition and try out our new interactive installation, we are open every day from 11 am to 7 pm.
You can find more visitor information here.
