‘Flowers of Srebrenica’ play echoes global conflicts

A new theatre production marking the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide will premiere next month in Sarajevo, using storytelling, animation, and personal testimony to draw connections between past atrocities and current global conflicts.

Titled Flowers of Srebrenica, the play is based on an illustrated novel by Irish academic Aidan Hehir and follows his journey from Sarajevo to the Srebrenica Memorial Centre. The production features actors from Bosnia, Ukraine, Rwanda, and Ireland.

“This is more than a play—it’s a memory, a scream, a response,” said Ukrainian actress Valeriia Poholsha, who described the work as deeply personal. “I’m living through war now. Speaking out is essential when the world wants to look away.”

Produced by the Sarajevo War Theatre, the UK-based Legal Aliens Theatre, and the MESS International Theatre Festival, the performance seeks to engage a new generation with the legacy of the 1995 genocide.

Director Maja Salkic said it was vital that young people and international audiences hear the message. “I want Srebrenica to become a symbol of peace and proper understanding of historical facts,” she said.

The play opens July 9 and 10 in Sarajevo, ahead of the annual memorial events. It will also be staged in Tuzla, Belgrade, and London.