Alma Telibecirevic is an artist and producer from Sarajevo, now based in the United States. She is also one of the War Childhood Museum’s first contributors. We talked with Alma about her war childhood, the objects she donated to the museum, and her perspective on our work over the past seven years.
Photo: Laurentine Bayala
At the age of 14, when you should be worried about adolescent concerns, the war began for you. Your Clown Ragdoll, now part of our collection, tells a powerful story of hope and the belief that life can be rebuilt from nothing. We celebrated Earth Day at the museum with a creative workshop inspired by this story. Children listened intently and then made their own toys. How does it feel to know that your story continues to live on and inspire so many children today?
As a young girl, losing all my childhood possessions when we had to leave our home left me with a deep sense of loss. That rag doll held more value for me back then than any expensive toy in the world. I had no idea it would go on to inspire a workshop with children, which is truly an extraordinary honor for me. What makes it even more meaningful is that, beyond its own story and the symbolism of resilience woven into that experience, the children learned how to harness their creativity to craft something personal and beautiful. Through that workshop, they also came to grasp the transformative power of creativity. Indeed, creativity can serve as a potent tool in combating feelings of helplessness, despair, and the ravages of war.
Clown Ragdoll
“The war began when I was in the seventh grade and attending primary school in the Ilidža neighborhood. Being 13 at the time, that whole period is etched in my memory. Very quickly, we became aware of the danger we were in. My mom’s colleague from work helped us find a way out. We fled so abruptly that we left our lunch on the table. We left behind everything we had. The only thing we brought with us was some food.
I left behind my mementoes, friends, first crushes, and games—in a single moment, everything was gone! We moved from Ilidža — a beautiful neighborhood to grow up in, surrounded by nature — to a different part of the city. Awaiting us there was a huge, concrete building with no power or water and no garden, a building where everything looked the same…
In the absence of any personal belongings, my mom and I made this clown ragdoll to bring some color to all that gray and to make the wartime days more cheerful.”
Alma, b. 1978
Everyone knows what happened to the Sarajevo City Hall, but it would surprise most people to learn that some children also tried to save books. When you donated The Book From Vijećnica (City Hall), you said: “…the act of saving that book seemed to make sense. I don’t know why, but at that moment, I felt that I was doing something very important.” Currently, your book is part of our exhibition in Seoul dedicated to the Siege of Sarajevo. Does this affirm your childhood belief that saving a book in those circumstances truly made sense?
When you grow up in a siege and are surrounded by the death of known and unknown people every day, reality and perception become something entirely different. Life is viewed from a different perspective. Any act that seems rational and “normal” represents a form of rebellion against despair and the cruelty of the situation, so even saving a book felt like an extremely important undertaking, primarily for myself and my personal understanding. Only from this perspective can I grasp how much greater that act essentially was than merely preserving my mental health, and how such thinking, especially from a child’s perspective, is universal. The fact that through the journeys of these saved books, people around the world can be inspired to understand the significance of the written word and culture, and how crucial it is to preserve it for future generations, is exceptionally meaningful to me. Above all, I feel incredibly honored that this book was chosen to be exhibited at such a significant exhibition in Seoul.
Are books still as important to you as they were in those years?
Certainly. Not only books, but all forms of storytelling, art, and culture are extremely important to me today. They help us understand the world around us, broaden our horizons, and connect with different experiences and perspectives. Books are especially powerful because they enable deep reflection and introspection, which are crucial for personal development.
The Book from Vijećnica
My friend and I stopped by the Vijećnica (City Hall) a few days after it had burned down in hopes of finding something and saving it on our way to school.
I know that she found a couple of pages, while I found this book. We both ended up covered in soot and ashes. 🙂
That was the first year of the war. I had no way of knowing then how long it would last and what would happen next, but the act of saving that book seemed to make sense. I don’t know why, but at that moment I felt that I was doing something very important.
Alma, b. 1978
As one of the first participants in our collection, you have witnessed museum’s journey from the very beginning up to today. How do you perceive it over the past seven years?
Your journey over the past 7 years has been inspiring. From humble beginnings to achieving international recognition, the museum has become a beacon of hope and education. Your passion and dedication have allowed the stories and experiences of wartime childhood to be heard worldwide. I remember the early conversations with Jasminko about this idea over coffee, and when I see where the museum is today, I am both proud and amazed by your success, influence, and significance. I know that the path has been challenging, and you have not given up.
Is there anything you would wish for the museum in the coming years?
I can only wish that you continue on the path you are on and that your messages are heard worldwide. It is important to raise awareness about the horrors of war for children everywhere. It is crucial that we discuss this and that the experiences of children who have survived war are shared so that we can all learn from them. Also, I wish for you to continue to grow and expand your mission, to receive even more support and recognition, and for your work to inspire changes that will help create a better and safer world for all future generations.
