On September 21, we celebrated the International Day of Peace. At the War Childhood Museum, peace holds a special place in our collection and our mission.
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.
