Sarajevo was chosen as the location for this workshop and meeting in order to visit WCM’s permanent museum, which WCM manages in the city. Partners from all participating organizations — Espero (France), Argo (Italy), Farsi Prosimo (Italy), and Ankaa Project (Greece) — joined the sessions led by WCM.

Over two days, the workshop focused on developing the exhibition concept for TexTALES. Partners worked on defining the storytelling strategy through five conceptual pillars, selecting exhibition materials, and drafting initial design proposals. The sessions also included reviews of venue capacities and discussions on production and logistics. In addition, participants explored good practices through visits to the War Childhood Museum and the Gallery of Contemporary Arts Manifesto.

The transnational project meeting brought partners together to discuss all ongoing project matters, agreeing on next steps to ensure smooth implementation.

“Partners have had productive two days. These in-person workshops follow online workshops already held to familiarize them with storytelling and exhibition methodologies they can apply in the project. These in-person workshops also served to visit and discuss best practice examples in WCM’s permanent exhibition and a local contemporary art gallery, as well as to start drafting initial exhibition concepts. I am glad WCM can methodologically support partners to organize exhibitions about their important work in their respective countries,”
— Jasminko Halilović, WCM Director-General

Inspiring the Next Generation

Kurosawa said his time at the Museum shaped his decision to bring Japanese students to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I really think the Museum has the power to prevent the next war. I’ve visited so many museums, but this is the only one where the objects truly make me think,” he said.

One student from Kyoto reflected on the resilience of children featured in the exhibition:

“Even in serious situations, they didn’t lose hope. They looked to the future. I know it’s hard to make the world more peaceful, but if we give up hope, we cannot succeed.”

Another student noted the unique perspective offered by the Museum:

“There’s no place in Japan where history is told through the eyes of a child. It made me think about how my generation can make the world safer for those who come after us.”

Stories That Travel Beyond Borders

A teacher in the group emphasized that the lessons learned in Sarajevo will resonate back home:

“Japan is not at war, but war is real and ongoing elsewhere. Our youth can respond to these stories, and we can share them with their families and communities.”

Another teacher added:

“Every exhibit is grounded in reality. Each story has its own impact and resonates strongly with the person who reads it.”

Through visits like this, the Museum’s stories continue to inspire conversations about peace far beyond Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What’s WCM Ukraine’s Project IMБALANCE All About?

Through lectures and workshops with invited speakers, participants explore diverse artistic practices, from performance and video art to installations and more. They not only develop creative skills but also reflect on changes within themselves during adolescence and in the world around them.

During the lab, teenagers develop their own artistic expressions under the mentorship of Daria Molokoiedova, a multimedia artist from Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, whose work explores memory and childhood. Under her mentorship, teenagers experiment with materials, color, sound, and movement—transforming personal and collective experiences into artistic expressions. “I strive to build partnerships with children where trust, respect, humor, and dialogue are essential. Instead of directive teaching, I offer guidance, support, and an inspiring environment for growth and self-discovery.” — says Daria.

From Concept to Exhibition

The workshops and lectures are taking place from March to June 2025, once a week, at the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House in Kyiv.

Participants learn to apply artistic practices and gain insight into the full process of creating an artwork–from concept development to exhibition installation. Their final works will be showcased in a group exhibition in June 2025 in Kyiv.

WCM Ukraine Public Programmes

The IMБALANCE project is the second initiative under WCM Ukraine’s Public Programs.  “We introduced a new dimension to the museum’s work in Ukraine: Public Programs. Our exploration of innovative ways to engage with memory and personal experiences led to the creation of the documentary performance Ozymi (“Winter Crops”)” — says Svitlana Osipchuk, Program Director of the War Childhood Museum Ukraine.

The project brought together ten young people, who worked with mentors to bring their wartime experiences to the stage, drawing from personal stories of evacuation, loss, family, friendships, and memories of peaceful childhoods interrupted. Ozymi has been performed five times so far.

Partners & Support

The WCM Ukraine’s IMБALANCE project is supported by the forumZFD Programme Office in Ukraine and the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House, in partnership with the Dovzhenko Center.

The workshop brought together 31 participants from various schools and municipalities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the course of a three-day program consisting of eight interactive sessions, they had the opportunity to explore innovative tools for peacebuilding.

Teacher Sanja Tomić from Sveti Franjo Elementary School in Tuzla shared her impressions of the training techniques: “We step into a child’s shoes, the child we all carry within us, and start seeing everything around us through a child’s eyes. That, in my opinion, is when the learning process truly begins.”

Innovative Methods

Educators Merima Ražanica from the War Childhood Museum (WCM) and Namir Ibrahimović from Step by Step trained participants in innovative and interactive teaching techniques and methods, such as image theater, opinion line, and the use of video games. Through these approaches, they explored topics including stereotypes, prejudice, and justice.

“The training was very successful – all participants showed great interest and engagement in learning new techniques for peacebuilding. Many stated after the training that their motivation had further increased and that they are now even more enthusiastic about passing on the knowledge they gained to their students,” said Ajla Fazlić, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the project.

Creativity for Peace is part of the broader PEACESTORY project, implemented by the WCM in collaboration with local partners, with the support of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).

Through the stories of children affected by war, the longing for peace is a recurring theme—a dream that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. This sentiment is captured not only in the memories of those who lived through war but also in the voices of today’s young adults.

Among the personal items in our collection are diaries written by children during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. One such diary entry, written by Mirsada F. on October 19, 1994, reveals how the smallest signs of normalcy evoked memories of peace:

“When we were walking past the Second Gymnasium, everything somehow reminded me of peace: the school that looked like a regular one, the trees, fallen leaves, the lit-up entrance. It was so hard for me. And now, as I write this, my heart tightens, and I’m about to cry. Who knows what life would be like if peace had lasted. I would probably be with my friends, surely happy, and everything would be wonderful…”
(Mirsada, born in 1978)

Another child, Berina A., wrote in her diary on June 15, 1995, expressing the same deep yearning:

“I can’t wait for the moment when my mom or dad says, ‘Berina, now you can walk freely through the streets!’ I hope there will be peace by my birthday.” (Berina, born in 1984)

Diary, Berina, 1984

Decades later, during our “Voices of Peace” storytelling workshop, held on September 21, 2024, at the War Childhood Museum, as part of our program for the International Day of Peace, young adults from different parts of the world expressed similar hopes and dreams. For Hasan Ali from Syria, peace is a universal desire:

“Peace is something that every family and every person in this world wants. I hope our homeland is always well and happy, and that our children never experience what we did.”
(Hasan Ali, Syria)

Mustafa, also from Syria, shared his thoughts:

“For me, peace means an end to the killing and bloodshed of the innocent, so that all people can live peacefully. We have suffered enough and lived in injustice.”

“Voices of Peace” Workshop, War Childhood Museum

Sejed from Egypt reflected on peace and justice:

“For me, peace means being able to see my mom and brothers, sleeping peacefully without pressure, and not hearing bad news. Peace doesn’t mean justice, but it’s a step towards it… though that step is always not enough.”

Muhamed Idriz from Afghanistan offered a perspective on post-conflict Bosnia-Herzegovina:

“I was born in Afghanistan. If our country had peace, we would have a bright future and wouldn’t have to flee our homeland and come to other countries. In Afghanistan, I don’t feel peace, but here, in your country, I feel peace and freedom.”

Dženeta from Bosnia and Herzegovina reflected on the current situation in the world:

“It’s very hard to talk about peace today. Wars and genocides are happening all around us. We live our normal lives and forget about many people who are currently struggling to survive. Peace and love are the last honest things through which we can find strength in this world.”

These reflections from the diaries from our collection and our “Voices of Peace” workshop remind us that peace is not just the absence of war but a universal value carried by generations of those who have suffered its loss. Peace is essential for protecting the rights and freedoms we all deserve and belongs to everyone, everywhere.

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.