Two days ago, the exhibition titled “Childhood under Siege: Sarajevo 1992-1995” opened at the Seoul Museum of History, South Korea.
It is the first major exhibition outside of Europe and the largest traveling exhibition of the War Childhood Museum to date. The exhibition’s opening was scheduled for the beginning of May to coincide with “Children’s Day,” celebrated every May 5th in South Korea since 1923, when writer and activist Bang Jeong-hwan introduced the holiday to promote children’s rights worldwide and in societies where children were exploited. Most children in South Korea celebrate this holiday, which promotes their values in society, as a second birthday.
The exhibition “Childhood under Siege: Sarajevo 1992-1995” presents 38 exhibits and stories, as well as ten excerpts from video testimonies of those who spent their childhood in besieged Sarajevo and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). In addition, an interactive installation, identical to the one in the permanent exhibition of the Museum in Sarajevo, is set up at the beginning of the exhibition space, consisting of some of the favorite children’s activities. Through play – tying ribbons, sticking stickers, drawing, or using LEGO bricks – and recognizing specially selected scents and sounds, each visitor can evoke memories of their own childhood. QR codes are also available as part of the exhibition, allowing visitors to access audio versions of the stories in Korean.
Exhibition opening: international cooperation promoting peace
Many dignitaries from the political and cultural life of Seoul attended the grand opening of the exhibition, including directors of leading museums and cultural institutions. Speeches were given by Choi Byung Goo, director of the Historical Museum of Seoul; Jasminko Halilovic, founder and general director of the War Childhood Museum; Seon Jung Kim, director of ICOM Korea; and Goo Hong Seok, Ambassador for International Relations from the Seoul government.
Jasminko Halilovic, founder and general director of the War Childhood Museum, greeted those present and thanked them for their hospitality.
“This is our first major exhibition outside of Europe. I am part of the generation that grew up in besieged Sarajevo. My city was systematically destroyed. However, those of us who survived managed to document and tell our stories. I want the cities currently being destroyed in wars to survive as well. I want their residents to survive and one day be able to tell their stories from which we will learn. I want us all to work more for peace together,” said Halilovic, who will also hold a series of lectures for different audiences in Seoul in the coming days, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
