The Museum of War Childhood, which contains objects and video testimonies of people who were children during the war, after its founders Jasminko Halilovic’s years of fighting, last night was officially opened in Sarajevo, at Logavina 32.
“It is a real pleasure, after six and a half years that have passed since the idea, to declare this museum as opened. The road was not easy. There were obstacles that we have been able to overcome, but the most important is that I met extraordinary people on the way who gave “wind” to the initiative. I hope that this is not the end of six years long path, but a new beginning which will last much longer. We are ambitious, because we are the first Museum of War childhood in the world and we hope for success, because we are already planning many presentations in other countries,” said Halilovic, adding that they were sharp and loud in criticism, and now they want to be loud in the acknowledgments as well, and he handed acknowledgements to people who have made the greatest contribution to the establishment of the Museum.
When it comes to the Museum of War Childhood, we have to say that it occupies an area of 300 square meters with an exhibition that will not be permanent but will be changed, and include the video of testifying about what it was like to grow up in the war-torn country.
The current setting is very interesting. Particular attention is drawn to clothes placed in the center of the main exhibition rooms, and about 50 stories and objects that show what it was like to be a child in the war. There are children’s bike, swings, diaries, newspapers, letters, recipes for pate, ballet shoes, stuffed toys, musical instruments, cans and food wrappers, which could cause joy in every child, regardless of circumstances.
“These intimate stories do not talk about traumatic experiences, but the resilience and strength of children who, despite exposure to extreme living conditions and circumstances, became good people and functional members of society, successful people and professionals,” said Selma Tanovic, director of research and collection of museum exhibits and other materials.
So, as hard as it was to live under a rain of mortar shells, each child had its own way to have fun. Today, these children are adults, and some of them have decided to donate items that are now in the Museum.
“During the war, I was collecting containers of humanitarian aid: cans, packs of flour, macaroni, biscuits, chocolate and things like that. I collected about 2,000 unique items that have stood for years waiting to be “housed”. After I met Jasminko and heard the story, I realized that the Museum was the perfect place to donate the collection because I have entered the Guinness Book of Records. Here is presented only a small part of this collection, but curiosity is in the fact that only items collected at the beginning of the war, from 1992 to 1993, were exhibited here,” said Filip Andronik, who donated the largest number of items to the Museum.
(Source: faktor.ba)
