An international stage production, "The Flowers of Srebrenica," is set to tour Europe, including a run at Jacksons Lane in London from October 14th to 18th. The play marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the largest massacre in Europe since the Holocaust, which is internationally commemorated on July 11th. The production, presented by migrant and women-led UK theatre company LegalAliens Theatre and Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, will have its world premiere in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on July 9th.
Adapted from the illustrated novel by Irish academic Aidan Hehir, "The Flowers of Srebrenica" blends physical theatre, devising, and animated projections. The narrative reimagines the journey of Aidan, a professor and Balkan expert, on his first visit to Srebrenica. His academic certainties are shattered as he confronts the reality of the events. A chorus of women storytellers, survivors and witnesses to war from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Rwanda, Ukraine, and Ireland, frame the piece. Their experiences draw parallels with current atrocities globally, prompting the audience to confront their own complicity in historical violence and question the implications of observing another country's trauma from an outside perspective.
The Srebrenica genocide, which occurred between July 11th and 16th, 1995, saw more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys killed by Bosnian Serb forces, with over 20,000 civilians expelled from the area. This massacre remains the worst episode of mass murder in Europe since World War II.
Director Lara Parmiani (Italy) stated, “Srebrenica is not just history, it is a warning. This show isn’t about speaking for Bosnia-Herzegovina. It’s about listening, honouring, and understanding how your story speaks to all of us.” The production features a diverse international cast, some of whom are refugees now based in the UK, including Selma Alispahic (BiH), Taz Munyaneza (Rwanda/UK), Valeria Pogolsha (Ukraine/UK), Edin Suljic (BiH/UK), and Cillian O’Donnchadha (Ireland/UK).
"The Flowers of Srebrenica" will tour to Serbia, Norway, and Italy before its UK press night on October 15th at 7:30 PM at Jacksons Lane. Tickets are priced at £13-£15.
Tickets and Information:
Jacksons Lane: jacksonslane.org.uk | 020 8340 5226
