From classroom to stage: Youth of Tuzla Canton nurture a culture of remembrance

July 9, 2026

Performance of the play “Storks”, produced by the Youth Theatre Tuzla, on the main stage of the Bosnian Cultural Centre of Tuzla Canton

The play “Storks”, produced by Youth Theatre Tuzla and performed in Tuzla as part of the programme marking the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, demonstrated how a culture of remembrance can be developed in ways that resonate with new generations, through art, dialogue, and facts.

Staged at the main stage of the Bosnian Cultural Centre of Tuzla Canton, the performance was more than an artistic event. It represented the outcome of a broader process that is transforming how young people learn about the past and take an active role in shaping its understanding. While powerful in its own right, “Storks” was created as an activity within the project “Catharsis for the Future”, as a part of broader initiative that links education, art, and social dialogue to build a sustainable culture of remembrance.

Education in schools leads to understanding on stage

The play’s creation followed a process that begins far from the stage, in schools across Tuzla Canton.

School performance held in Teočak, 22 April 2026

Through workshops with students and teachers, space was created for open discussions on how to approach complex and sensitive topics from the recent past. A strong emphasis was placed on developing critical thinking and working with credible sources.

Participants learned how to find and use documented facts, understand historical events based on evidence, and responsibly interpret what they had learned. In this context, art played a vital role, not only as a means of expression but also as a tool for learning and reflection.

This approach quickly proved its value. As part of the project, 12 original school performances were produced across Tuzla Canton, bringing together 120 direct participants and an audience of more than 2,500 from 12 primary and secondary schools. These performances were staged to mark significant dates in the cities of Tuzla Canton. Through short school performances developed with mentorship from the Youth Theatre Tuzla, students explored themes of dealing with the past and its impact on present-day society. These performances became spaces where young people not only learn, but also express views, ask questions, and develop empathy.

Students in Gradačac participated in educational programmes

Alongside student education, the Youth Theatre Tuzla, in cooperation with the Pedagogical Institute of Tuzla Canton and the Secondary ‘Contemporary-Art School’ Tuzla, with the consent of the Ministry of Education and Science of Tuzla Canton, organized professional training for drama group leaders from primary and secondary schools. The aim was to initiate and develop a specific model of engaging children and youth through the promotion of drama in education. Interest far exceeded expectations - 152 facilitators applied for the first targeted training, surpassing the initial plan of 12 participants. The high level of interest highlighted the need for new approaches in youth engagement, prompting organizers to accommodate all applicants.

Students and teachers from across Tuzla Canton were also given the opportunity to attend the performance of the play “Storks”, a unified artistic expression that brings together research, learning, and creativity. The performance was attended by more than 4,600 people from across Tuzla Canton.

The value of this approach is further confirmed by classroom experiences. As Lejla Idrizović, a Bosnian language and literature teacher, noted in a statement given for the project’s documentary film:

“As someone who has worked in education for nearly twenty years, I can say that this performance delivers far more than cultural or artistic content. The feedback from students after watching the play is something that is difficult to describe in words — it goes beyond emotion expressed through tears. Young people on stage become role models, which is exactly what our society needs. They convey a sensitive message with deep understanding, without pathos or excess.”

Lejla Idrizović

She further emphasized that such content has become a valuable teaching tool, allowing students to view learning material from multiple perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of topics addressed in the classroom.

This entire process, from learning, to creation, to public performance, is also documented in a film produced within the project, showing how “Storks” was developed and how young people experienced this unique educational and artistic journey. The film premiere was attended by more than 200 students and teachers from primary and secondary schools across Tuzla Canton, and included opening remarks and messages of support from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Tuzla Canton.

Remembrance as a shared process and responsibility

The realization of the play was further strengthened through cooperation with the Bosnian Cultural Centre of Tuzla Canton, formalized through a co-production agreement that enabled broader involvement of cultural institutions. The Centre is also among the co-organizers of the programme marking the Srebrenica genocide remembrance in Tuzla Canton, implemented in cooperation with the Government of Tuzla Canton.

Such collaboration highlights the importance of connecting the education system, cultural institutions, and public authorities in shaping an inclusive and sustainable culture of remembrance.

Through this project, memorialization gains a new dimension. Instead of remaining limited to formal commemorations, it becomes an active process in which young people have the space to learn, reflect, and participate. In this way, remembrance is not treated as a distant topic, but as a shared responsibility of society.

This approach is particularly important for generations who did not directly experience the war but live in societies where its consequences still shape everyday life. The way they learn about the past has a long-term impact on their ability to understand others, recognize misinformation, and contribute to trust-building.

For this reason, initiatives that connect facts, education, and art play a crucial role, not only in preserving memory but also in building a more responsible and open society.

The play “Storks” stands as a testament to what a culture of remembrance can look like when developed through collaboration, learning, and creative expression. It shows that young people are not merely an audience, but active participants in understanding the past.

In this process, remembrance ceases to be only a reflection of what happened. It becomes a foundation for building a society grounded in knowledge, dialogue, and mutual trust.

: School performances for students served as an expression of empathy and a way to strengthen mutual understanding

The project “Catharsis for the Future” is supported through the regional initiative “EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The content of this text is the sole responsibility of UNDP and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.