On Wednesday, May 31st, New England Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted our first Anti-Genocide event since the start of the pandemic in honor of White Armband Day and the victims of Prijedor.
Featuring the film “Calling the Ghosts”, our community members began the evening following the story of Jadranka Cigelj and Nusreta Sivac as they recounted their horrific experiences in Omarska and the diligent steps they took to convict Omarska’s war criminals at the Hague.
Our evening was then joined by four wonderful panelists, survivors from Rwanda, Sudan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the Holocaust. With each of their tales, we learned more about their accounts of rising political tensions, suffering, and reemergence into a foreign nation. Moderated by Prijedor born, Amanda Hukanovic, the panelists led us down stories of prejudice, violence, starvation, and loss, sharing each of their messages of humanity, hope, and reconciliation after tragedy.
Thank you so much to our attendees, Arlington Capitol Theater, and most of all, Consolee Nishimws, Bol Riiny, Jack Trompetter, and Jasmina Cesic-Dervisevic! Thank you all for coming together for an impactful evening and illuminating our shared pain with the message of healing and prevention.
