Civil war has left deep scars on society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Local organizations are, however, using the arts in innovative ways to encourage reconciliation and forgiveness, and bring divided communities together.
Twenty years on, Bosnia and Herzegovina is still suffering the effects of a war that shook the very soul of the country. A myriad of factors hinder the forgiveness process: the lack of justice for war crimes, the paucity of reparations, and the lack of government support for victims of rape and those afflicted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Reconciliation and forgiveness can only be achieved by tackling these issues from all sides, but the opportunities for interaction between conflicting groups are few.
The ability to exert control while using artistic mediums is important for victims lost in the chasm that warfare perpetuates. Something as simple as picking up a pencil and beginning to draw can bring relief from psychological suffering. Art can be a way to speak when a trauma is too terrible to express in words.
There are groups in Bosnia who are using art to create change, ensuring that this ripple effect of kindness and creativity has the power to transform. One such example is the Sarajevan clay workshop “Stories in Clay,” run by artist Tatjana Kovačević as part of a reconciliation programme that aims to present different stories to participants. This opens up a forum for discussion, understanding and perspective-taking, strengthening interpersonal relations as well as the connection between mind and body.
“Clay is an extraordinary medium through which we can express hidden emotion and thought. It has a beautiful ability to transform human suffering into joy, bringing a sense of freedom, meaning of life and hope for the future,” says Kovačević. “By working with the clay, and using various techniques such as hand-building, hollowing and adding, the participants really get to know the clay, redirect their own feelings of sadness, anger and frustration into the medium, all of which are hidden beyond our conscience,” notes Kovačević.
The initiative brings together women of different ethnic backgrounds, giving them the opportunity for communication in a neutral setting. The clay absorbs emotion and is a malleable medium, allowing the person to create impressions and forms however they choose. “Through different creative tasks, the participants will discover their identity and be able to express themselves, as well as communicate and accept the differences in others,” Kovačević explains.
(Source: transconflict.com)
