Un:imaginable in Sarajevo | Our Histories in Conversation – Rwandan, Bosnian and Uyghur Perspectives on the Role of Film and Art in Remembering Genocide

*Please note that the event will not take place at Oyoun, but in Sarajevo.*

Panel discussion as part of the AJB Doc Festival

Together with Esther Mujawayo-Keiner, Shahnura Kasim, and Nihad Kreševljaković, we explore the intricate intersections of art, film, and memory culture.

In the panel discussion Our Histories in Conversation - Rwandan, Bosnian and Uyghur Perspectives on the Role of Film and Art in Remembering Genocide, filmmakers, artists, and activists from the Bosnian, Tutsi, and Uyghur communities come together to share their personal experiences and insights. Here, they shed light on how art and film can contribute to maintaining the collective memory of genocides.

Through the exchange of experiences from these different communities, the project UN:IMAGINABLE aims to emphasize the universal significance of memory and the importance of preserving and exchanging stories:

What drives them?
How do they leave lasting marks?
How do they defy the shadows of the past?

Location: Cineplexx Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 4, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Language: English

Biographies 

Esther Mujawayo-Keiner

Esther Mujawayo-Keiner, born in Rwanda in 1958, is a sociologist and activist. During the Rwandan Tutsi genocide, she her husband, parents, and a significant portion of her family were murdered. Alongside other widows, she founded the impactful self-help group AVEGA (Association of Widows of the April Genocide). Following her training as a trauma therapist at the University of East Anglia, she worked in this role for the organization and beyond. Additionally, she is the author of several books and produced the BBC documentary "Hope in Hell," highlighting women intentionally raped and infected with HIV during the genocide. Esther Mujawayo-Keiner has received two awards for her books, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (October 2008), the Women Social Award in Vienna (November 2008), and the UN Watch Award.

Shahnura Kasim

Shahnura Kasim is a Uighur content creator, speaker, and activist from Munich, Germany. Her parents fled China's persecution before her birth. However, her uncle, aunt, and grandmother are currently held in the infamous camps. Through her dedicated work, she strives to raise awareness about the Uighur genocide and has already reached hundreds of thousands of people with her message.

Nihad Kreševljaković

Nihad Kreševljaković, born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, is a historian, producer, screenwriter, and director. He serves as the director of the International Theatre Festival MESS and the Sarajevo War Theatre. In 2011, he co-founded the documentary film production company Videoarhiv with his brother Sead and has worked as a screenwriter on numerous film projects. In 2019, Kreševljaković was honored with the KAIROS Prize.

Melina Borčak

Melina Borčak is a journalist, filmmaker and author from Sarajevo, Bosnia. She has worked for CNN, arte, ZDF, Deutsche Welle and the Parliament of Germany, among others. But now she works directly for her followers and publishes independent journalism on Instagram and Twitter. She works on the topics of genocide, media criticism, anti-Muslim racism. Her book "Mecca here Mecca there - How we need to talk about anti-Muslim racism" was published by hanserblau in 2023.

Accessibility:

Oyoun is constantly working to make all events offered at the venue as accessible as possible. To receive individual information on accessibility, please send us an e-mail to access(at)oyoun.de. We will get back to you as soon as possible. More information on this topic can be found here: access(at)oyoun.de. We will get back to you as soon as possible. There is more information on the topic .

Awareness:

At Oyoun there is no place for sexism, queerphobia, transphobia, any form of racism or discrimination such as anti-Black, anti-Muslim racism or antisemitism. The same applies to any kind of violent, aggressive or assaultive behaviour. Oyoun provides an open forum for dialogue and a place where we support and stand up for each other. If someone or something bothers you during an event, please contact a member of our staff who is there to help you! If you would like to share an experience with us after an event, please Mail or send us an anonymous message via  our website.