55 minutes. On our last day in Mostar, some classmates and I decided to go to the “Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992-1995”. We had about two hours left until we traveled to Sarajevo and we heard from another classmate that the museum was haunting but worth the visit. She was right. This poignant institution served as a powerful testament to the devastating Bosnian War that took place between 1992 and 1995. Through its exhibits, the museum offers visitors a chance to learn about the war’s atrocities, honor the victims, and promote reconciliation and remembrance.
When we first entered the museum, the owner suggested we start at the second level in the way back and work our way down. When we went to this suggested starting point we saw post-it-notes all over the walls from the ceiling down. These post-it-notes contained messages of shock, regret, and hope for a better future. While reading these messages, the owner came and restarted the documentary being played in that room from the beginning for my group. Once the documentary began, I couldn’t get up from my chair. It was this haunting recollection of what had happened in the Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo. What I could not sit through for 55 minutes without tearing up is what people experienced and lived through for 1,425 days (and that is not even including the aftermath or what led to that point). Sitting through the documentary, I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I sat there in shock of the atrocities committed and the wickedness of man. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish the documentary because I wanted to go explore the rest of the museum before we left, but as I explored the museum, the information I had just gained from the documentary stood with me. Walking through the rest of the museum after the fact made everything feel that much more real.
The museum itself housed a collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, and personal testimonies that paint a vivid picture of the Bosnian War. As you wander through the museum’s halls, you come face-to-face with the harsh realities endured by the people of Mostar and Sarajevo during this tragic period. The exhibits highlight the experiences of both civilians and soldiers, providing a comprehensive understanding of the conflict and its impact on the city and its inhabitants. The museum’s primary objective to pay homage to the victims of war and genocide becomes more clear as you walk through the various corridors. It serves as a memorial for the thousands of innocent lives lost during the Bosnian War. Through its displays, the museum humanizes the victims, ensuring their stories are never forgotten. It stands as a place of reflection, urging visitors to contemplate the devastating consequences of hate, intolerance, and violence. By commemorating those who perished, the museum strives to promote peace, healing, and unity.
Even after the museum, there was a heavy feeling in the air. My classmates and I departed contemplating and reflecting everything that we had seen. Left in this moment, we traveled to the place where the siege occurred, Sarajevo.