Museum of War Childhood opens in Sarajevo

The Museum of War Childhood officially opened on Saturday in Sarajevo.

Reportedly the world’s first museum to focus on children’s experience of war, the Museum of War Childhood features an extensive collection of personal belongings — from bicycles and teddies to instruments and recipes — and documents detailing the stories of their owners, with an emphasis on objects that would provide moments of entertainment and pleasure for children in times of war.

“These intimate stories do not talk about traumatic experiences, but the resilience and strength of children who, despite exposure to extreme living conditions and circumstances, became good people and functional members of society, successful people and professionals,” said Selma Tanovic, the museum’s Director of Research.

Launched by Jasminko Halilovic, founder of Sarajevo’s URBAN Association, the Museum of War Childhood forms part of the Childhood in War project, which includes a book foregrounding the personal testimonies of people who experienced growing up during wartime.

Find out more about the Museum of War Childhood here.

Source: Sarajevo Times