Today, we had the exceptional honor of hosting Christian Schwarz-Schilling, a man whose vision and determination were among the cornerstones of the creation of our institution. We experienced today’s visit not only as an act of respect but also as a reminder of what he did to make institutional remembrance of Srebrenica a reality. When, on June 25, 2007, in his capacity as the High Representative of the international community, he imposed the Law on the Establishment of the Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Center, Schwarz-Schilling did not act out of political calculation, but out of moral obligation. In doing so, he formalized and institutionalized the work of the Foundation for Memorial and Cemetery, transforming it into a state Memorial Center to which the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina ensures permanence and stability. Today, we can say that Schwarz-Schilling, with both moral and political courage, was practically the architectural engineer of the institution of remembrance. He formulated the legal foundations, organizational structures, and state mechanisms that guarantee that remembrance of Srebrenica does not depend on the goodwill of time or individuals. Today, his step from 2007 stands as proof that responsibility towards the victims is not merely an emotional act—it must be institutionalized and lasting. That is why his name must not be mentioned only with gratitude but woven into the primary narrative of every institutional and collective remembrance of Srebrenica. The Memorial Center expresses its immeasurable gratitude to Christian Schwarz-Schilling, not only as a politician but also as a visionary, a guardian of memory. His contribution to the institution of the Center—within the legal, managerial, and financial framework—represents his lasting legacy. His name and work should remain an example and a model for all those who stand against denial, oblivion, and manipulation of historical facts.

Today at the Srebrenica Memorial, the first SrebrenicaKids summer programme for children aged 7 to 14 has begun. It focuses on exploring emotions, memories, communication, and Srebrenica from a child’s perspective. Taking part are children from Srebrenica, Bratunac, and Sarajevo. The programme is part of the Srebrenica Outreach Project, supported by the UK Government. SrebrenicaKids will run for four days with Ana-Marija Tomić, Imrana Kapetanović, Vildana Brkić, Vedran Poričanin, Benjamin Čengić, Amra Murtić, Berina Šuvalija i Faris Hadžihasanović. Huge thanks to our organizing team Mirela Osmanović, Hajrunisa Džananović, Edin Ikanović, Ahmedin Đozić and Nedim Jahić.

Treći dan SrebrenicaKids provodimo sa Vildanom Brkić, akademskom slikarkom iz Sarajeva. Vildana će danas sa četredesetak mališana raditi na likovnim radovima i osmišljavanju ideja djece o tome kako gledaju na prostor i osjećanja oko njih. Radovi djece sa programa SrebrenicaKids biće dijelom postavke buduće umjetničke sobe u Memorijalnom centru. Ovogodišnje aktivnosti SrebrenicaKids realizujemo zahvaljujući podršci Vlade Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva. @JulianReillyUK

Četvrti dan smo posvetili vajarstvu i perspektivi djece o Srebrenici i okolini kroz oblikovanje gline. Umjetnici i umjetnice Amra Murtić, Berina Šuvalija i Faris Hadžihasanović vodili su završnu vajarsku radionicu: "Svi radovi sa radionica tvore sjajan materijal za jednu vrhunsku izložbu koja kroz dječje radove daje pogled na Srebrenicu. Nadam se da ćemo to i vidjeti uskoro. Hvala Memorijalnom centru Srebrenica što je dao priliku nama kao mladim umjetnicima da vodimo ove radionice, ali i što vode računa o djeci i stvaraju ovakve prilike." Popodne radimo zajedničku evaluaciju i dodjelu priznanja našim mališanima. Ovaj program je realizovan zahvaljujući podršci Vlade Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva.