This past week, I had the honor of guiding the Beyond Srebrenica Delegation through Bosnia and Herzegovina—a journey filled with stories of heartbreak, resilience, and hope. Their mission is clear: to bear witness, to learn, and to carry forward the voices of those who continue to fight for justice in the face of denial.
Day One: Sarajevo – The City of Stories
Our journey began in Sarajevo, a city that speaks through its architecture, scars, and spirit. From the Yellow Fortress, where the Ramadan call to prayer echoed into the dusk, to the Tunnel of Hope, carved beneath siege as a literal and symbolic lifeline, every stop reminded us of the strength of the human spirit.
We met Predrag Pašić (Čika Paja), a football legend whose Bubamara youth club gave children purpose during the war. Stories like his—of sports, hope, and resistance—are what make Sarajevo more than just a place on the map. For those who want to know more, please check this video. It is documentary done by amazing Eric Cantona about Predrag Pašić. It was especially touching to share this story with my friend Mirza Pecikoza, who played in Bubamara himself.
We wandered through the Bezistan, the Latin Bridge, the old synagogues and cathedrals, and each space whispered histories of coexistence and conflict—reminders that Bosnia’s story is one of both wounds and wonders.
Day Two: Srebrenica – Confronting Pain, Honoring Truth
No words can truly capture what it means to walk through Srebrenica.
We met Fadila Efendić, one of the courageous Mothers of Srebrenica, who welcomed us with grace and pain in her voice. We spoke with Azir Osmanović, Hasan Hasanović, Nedžad Avdić, and Almasa Salihović at the Memorial Centre—each of them a living witness, a bearer of truth in a world that often chooses silence.
We were also humbled by the strength of Bakira Hasečić, the tireless work of Women for Women, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), and the heartfelt dedication of the War Childhood Museum team.
Each story, each handshake, each moment of silence at the cemetery left a mark on all of us.
A Shared Duty
The delegates from Scotland came with hearts wide open. Their presence, empathy, and willingness to listen were deeply moving.
As their guide, I saw how Bosnia changed them. And I, too, was changed. Every moment was a reminder of why we do what we do: to carry stories forward, to fight for justice, and to make sure that memory lives—not as a burden, but as a bridge to something better.
Thank You
To the Beyond Srebrenica team and every delegate who joined this journey—thank you. Thank you for walking, listening, grieving, learning, and promising never to forget.
The Globe Balkans 
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