War Childhood Museum Team

Founder and Director-General of the War Childhood Museum. After developing the WCM from a book project, Jasminko is now leading the museum's international development and overseeing the work of its offices. He is author and editor of several books translated into six languages, including monograph ‘Sarajevo – My City, a Place to Meet’ and ‘War Childhood’. Jasminko holds a master's degree in financial management and is a Ph.D. candidate in museum management. He is a member of the Global Shapers Community established by the World Economic Forum and One Young World Ambassador. In 2018, Halilovic became the first Bosnian to be selected for the prestigious Forbes ’30 under 30′ list for his work to create the WCM. He is also a co-founder of several companies and a great fan of football and traveling.

Alongside the Museum’s small, inaugural research team, Amina was engaged in a two-year grassroots campaign that culminated in the Museum’s opening in January 2017.

Amina believes in museums as spaces for social action and drivers of change, and she is particularly interested in unlocking the potential of museums in transitional justice processes. She is committed to creating exhibitions and workshops that support open and conscious dialogue, and to promoting the idea of museums as platforms for societal healing and reconciliation. When it comes to formal education, Amina holds a BA in International Relations from the International University of Sarajevo and an MA in Children’s Rights from the University of Geneva.

Since 2020, Amina has been a member of the Board of Directors of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience Europe – a network of museums, historic sites, and memory initiatives connecting past struggles to today’s movement for human rights.

In 2021, Amina joined the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) Jury, where she currently serves as the Jury Chair. The EMYA scheme, founded in 1977 by the European Museum Forum, aims to support, showcase, and award excellence and innovation in the museum field.

Svitlana Osipchuk is the Program Director of the War Childhood Museum Ukraine. She is a graduate of the Department of History at the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy."
Since 2016, she has been working in the non-governmental sector. In her work, Svitlana focuses on mental health care and a sensitive approach to traumatic pasts through the study of children's experiences of war.
She is currently working on a book about Bykivnia as a site of memory, supported by the Documenting Ukraine program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM). Svitlana is a fan of recognising birds through their singing and has downloaded a special app for this purpose.

Oksana Karpiuk has over 10 years of experience in the creative industry and cultural sector, having previously led professional audience engagement at the International Book Arsenal Festival.
Oksana joined the museum team because she believes that its work fosters a deeper understanding and reflection on the topic of war, helping to better comprehend its impact on future generations.

Nataliia Druhak specializes in strategic communications, public and cultural diplomacy, and has experience working with government institutions, civil society, and charitable organizations.
Nataliia holds a degree in Social and Economic Communications from the Berlin University of the Arts and previously studied International Communications at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her research interests include war fatigue and strategies for sustaining the attention of international audiences.
Nataliia enjoys travelling and visiting museums all over the world. She also loves going to the theatre in different countries. Even without understanding the language, she enjoys the local vibe.

Barry van Driel is presently working closely with the War Childhood Museum after being senior staff at the Anne Frank House, responsible for teacher training and curriculum development, from 1993 to 2021. He has been the Editor in Chief of the international academic journal Intercultural Education since 2000 and is President of the International Association for Intercultural Education (IAIE) and on the Board of the SIRIUS Network. He has served as senior education consultant to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw as well as a consultant the FRA (Fundamental Rights Agency). Since 2010 he has been a jury member of the prestigious UNAOC-BMW Intercultural Innovation awards and has been chair of the jury since 2013.

Aynura became a part of the museum team in 2019, inspired by the opportunity to utilize her research interests through WCM's innovative, care-informed, and community-centered projects. She earned an MRes in History from Royal Holloway, University of London, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Gender Studies at the London School of Economics (LSE).

After graduating from Art History at the University of Zadar in Croatia, Ivana moved to Sweden, where she worked in the Vandalorum - a contemporary art and design museum. In 2020 she gained her master’s degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage at Gothenburg's University. During this period, she was engaged in several research projects within Gothenburg's University and Foundation Cultural Heritage without Borders in Sarajevo, researching the role of heritage and its conservation/protection in conflict and post-conflict areas. Ivana is involved in Museum research activities, and she works with the museum's collection. In her free time, Ivana usually eats. 🙂

Merima completed her undergraduate and master’s degree in language and literature, and began to pursue her career in the field of education by working as journalist for Školegijum and Creative Development Foundation, writing and reporting on topics related to education policies. In designing educational materials for peacebuilding teaching, she sees her contribution to peacebuilding and peacekeeping in B&H. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Mersiha completed her studies at the Department of Literatures of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo. She relies on her previous, ample experience in working with children to enthusiastically contribute to the creation and implementation of War Childhood Museum's educational activities. Mersiha enjoys reading, and spending time with the Museum's youngest visitors. She also finds being in nature, cooking, and recycling to be particularly relaxing.

Amina completed the first and second cycle of Criminology studies at the Faculty of Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies in Sarajevo. She initially joined the WCM as a volunteer in July 2018 and following her engagement at the Museum started to work with people on the move in migrant camps in BiH. As a part of the “Mediterranean Frontier of Peace, Education and Reconciliation” project, Amina completed the “Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action” master program at the University of Siena. The project, realized by Italian NGO Rondine Citadella della Pace and CEI, puts into focus creative transformation of conflict, and a part of Amina's project-related research was carried out right here at the War Childhood Museum.

In her free time, Amina enjoys reading and longs strolls. She believes that punk isn’t dead yet.

Valerii Shapovalov is the Collection Manager at the War Childhood Museum Ukraine.
He is a graduate of the Department of History at the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" and participated in the oral history project "Voices of the Russo-Ukrainian War," which was organized as part of a strategic partnership between the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" and the University of Glasgow.
Valerii chose to focus on archiving because he believes accurately documenting war testimonies is essential. At the Museum, he has gained experience in archiving atypical items—one of the most unusual being a poppy seed bun.

Justyna Górniak manages the digital presence of the War Childhood Museum. She holds a degree in Journalism and a diploma from the European Regional Master's Programme in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe (ERMA).
In 2012, she translated the "War Childhood" book into Polish. She has several years of experience in journalism, as well as the NGO, content marketing, and tech sectors. In addition, she is into documentary photography. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and spending time in nature.

Anna Kurnytska is the Digital Platforms Manager at the War Childhood Museum Ukraine.
She is currently studying at the Department of Ethics, Aesthetics, and Cultural Studies at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
Anna has been involved in student and educational civil society organizations, where she worked on creating content for social media. In her academic research, she explores topics of gender equality and feminism both globally and in Ukraine.

Andrii Borutia is a graduate of the Department of History at the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" and has completed two educational programs in contemporary art and culture, "Introduction to the Profession" at PinchukArtCentre.
In 2024, he implemented the "Ozymy" project—a documentary theater workshop series for teenagers from various regions of Ukraine. Andrii also researches the history and culture of Donbas.
Andrii loves football and supports Real Madrid. His football jersey from the season was donated to the Museum's collection and and holds a special significance for him.

Renata Chechel is a graduate of the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and participated in an academic mobility program at the University of Toronto’s Political Science Department.
She has volunteer experience in the charitable project "Unissued Diplomas" and also participated in the summer school on public history “Recall, Reflect, Retell.”
Renata loves travelling, both in Ukraine and abroad, and especially to the sea. She visits museums and galleries—they are her places of strength.

Emilia Komarova is a Project Assistant at the War Childhood Museum Ukraine.
Previously, she volunteered as an English teacher for Ukrainians who were forced to leave the country. She joined the museum team because she values that the museum pays special attention to the stories of children who have lived under occupation due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Emilia used to DJ and occasionally performed at events. She also enjoys painting by numbers, spending time outdoors, and practicing yoga from time to time.

Teuta holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Philosophy. She also completed a MA in Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action at the University of Siena. Before joining the WCM Team, she took part in a 9-month residential period as a part of the “Mediterranean Frontier of Peace, Education, and Reconciliation” program at Rondine Cittadella della Pace. Her ongoing research at the WCM focuses on documenting war childhood experiences of national minorities in BiH.

When it comes to her personal life, Teuta mentions that she has met over 1,000 cats so far, and looks forward to meeting and befriending many more of them in the future. She also shares that she has been a Hallyu fan for over a decade.

Oleksandra Domorosla is a Researcher at the War Childhood Museum in Ukraine.
She graduated from the Faculty of History at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where she developed an interest in the oral history method during her master's studies.
Oleksandra began working with oral history interviews in 2022. In 2024, she joined the War Childhood Museum Ukraine team to collect testimonies about childhood during World War II.

Viktoriia Nesterenko studied at the Faculty of History at Karazin Kharkiv National University and earned her PhD at Zaporizhzhia National University.
Viktoriia supports children from crisis-affected families through the charitable foundation Trokhy Vohnia (“A Little Fire”). As part of the Center for Urban History’s project Those Who Stayed, she collects interviews with residents of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region who remained in the city during the full-scale invasion. In addition, she teaches at a university.
For Viktoriia, it is important that these interviews are not only featured in the museum’s exhibitions but also serve as a means to help children affected by the war cope with their trauma.
Viktoriia loves music—it helps her get through difficult times.

Mykhailo Hromovyi is a graduate of the Faculty of History at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, specializing in "Public History." He worked at the Science Museum of the Small Academy of Sciences as an interpreter. At the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II, he initially held the position of laboratory assistant and worked on the database of those killed and missing during the war. Later, he worked as a tour guide and developed programs for children.
At the Museum, Mykhailo records interviews. Since April 2024, he has been conducting workshops for children in schools.

Šejla completed her studies in English Language and Literature, the study of which was a result of her great love for foreign languages. Her career went into another direction, and now she has almost 18 years of work experience in the field of finance and administration. Šejla is very passionate about tourism in general and likes to travel a lot. Now, as a Finance and Administration Coordinator of the War Childhood Museum, she has the opportunity to combine all the things she loves – she uses English language actively and improves her knowledge, she develops her skills further in the field of finance and administration, and also has a chance to contribute to the development of tourism and promotion of her country's culture. Šejla is passionate about nature and photography. She absolutely adores her two daughters and enjoys spending time with them.

Taisiia Hanych is a Financial Consultant Specializing in Accounting and Taxation at the War Childhood Museum Ukraine. She graduated from Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics with a degree in Accounting and Auditing.
For over 10 years, she has provided accounting and financial support in the nonprofit sector, working with civil society organizations, charitable foundations, and international representations.

Ajla was born in Zenica in 1996. She finished the Secondary School of Applied Arts in Sarajevo, and during this period worked as a children’s sports gymnastics teacher. For her undergraduate studies, Ajla completed the Interdisciplinary Studies: Conservation and Restoration program at the Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Faculty of Architecture (University of Sarajevo). She had the opportunity to be a part of conservation-restoration projects in Rome and Firenze. Ajla graduated in Conservation and Restoration in 2022. She also worked in the Laboratory for Conservation and Restoration of Archival Materials of the Archive of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while also doing volunteer work for different projects that involve the preservation of BiH cultural heritage. Ajla loves art, history, children, and “Plavi orkestar.”

Ajna Tucak is a Museum Guide at the War Childhood Museum. She strives to create a welcoming and reflective space where visitors can connect with experiences of children affected by war. With a BA in Psychology and a deep interest in trauma and psychotherapy, Ajna aims to create a thoughtful and compassionate space for learning. She also has experience volunteering with children. In her free time, Ajna enjoys drawing, writing, reading and outdoor activities.

Hanan Alic is a Museum Guide at the War Childhood Museum. As part of the front-line team, he welcomes visitors, leads guided tours, and helps interpret personal stories and exhibits that highlight the experiences of children affected by war. With a background in psychology and a strong interest in trauma and resilience, Hanan brings empathy and insight to each interaction with guests. In addition to his academic pursuits, he enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and connecting with people through shared stories and experiences.

Nadira Ćurulija is an External Educator who implements peacebuilding workshops with young people and children during group and school visits to the Museum. She holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. Nadira has over eight years of experience working with NGOs and IGOs that specialize in peace education, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and intercultural learning and dialogue. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, going to the gym, and chasing cats.

Amar Hamzić is an External Educator responsible for implementing educational peacebuilding workshops with youth and children. Amar has more than 9 years of experience in youth work and works on development and implementation of educational programs for youth based on non-formal and experiential learning, with a special accent on the topics of peacebuilding and reconciliation. In his free time, Amar enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and travelling.

As an External Educator at the Museum, Lejla Pleh conducts workshops and activities that encourage young people to actively engage in peacebuilding. She holds a degree in philosophy and has built her career in journalism and communications, focusing primarily on transitional justice in cultural phenomena. She believes that critical thinking is key to fostering social responsibility, a principle she applies in both journalism and peace education. She is a licensed radio amateur and enjoys creating collages from old newspapers and magazines.

Aida Sejdić-Melezović works as a teacher at the Second Gymnasium in Sarajevo. She actively participates in and organizes numerous programs and projects for children and youth, with a strong focus on community service, humanitarian efforts, culture, and environmental protection. She volunteers her time to organize and coordinate assistance for children in Bosnia and Herzegovina born with congenital heart defects. In collaboration with doctors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy, she facilitates free surgeries and medical treatment for children in need.
In recognition of her exceptional efforts in organizing treatment for seriously ill children and helping save the lives of 72 children from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Aida received the Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Sarajevo in September 2023. She is also the recipient of several other local recognitions for her dedicated humanitarian and educational work.

Dan is an Irish fiction writer, journalist, and editor. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, his writing has appeared in The Irish Times, Oprah.com, GQ, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Guernica, and elsewhere. He is an editor at Literary Hub and the author of the Sarajevo-set novel Restless Souls, which was named one of Entertainment Weekly's 10 Great Debuts of 2018. A native of Dublin, he now divides his time between Jackson, Wyoming, and Austin, Texas, with his wife, Téa, and their dog, Gully.