New Vic Borderlines and Remembering Srebrenica present a special version of My Thousand Year Old Land (A Song for BiH) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in the 1990s on Friday 11 July.
Written by Bosnian war survivor Aida Haughton MBE and New Vic Borderlines Director Susan Moffat, the play is based on survivor testimonies from the genocide and war crimes that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995 and tells a story of war and the search for truth, justice and hope through women whose lives are changed by the deaths of their communities’ men.
Through the beauty of poetry, testimonies, participation, traditional folk songs and the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina, audiences are invited to examine what it means to have roots, and to feel the connections between land and people.
Celebrated for its honest portrayal of events, and sharing messages of hope in times of adversity, My Thousand Year Old Land will visit Bradford as part of their City of Culture celebrations, and Huddersfield Department Centre of Archaeology at the Holocaust Centre North, before returning to the New Vic for a special matinee performance on the anniversary.
Former UN Anatomical Pathology Technologist, Robert McNeil MBE, said about seeing the production:“Having worked for the ICTY in Bosnia from 1996 – 2001, I can say that the cast portrayed the genocide in Srebrenica both sensitively and forensically. At first, I tried to stop my tears but unashamedly let them fall. I found it interesting when the cast sometimes spoke in Bosnian…. This play has international significance and should be seen worldwide.”
The international cast of this production includes Stasha Dukić who will play Istina (Truth), Katarina Krištić who will play Pravda (Justice) and Christina Bain who will play Nada (Hope).
To complement the performance of My Thousand Year Old Land audiences will receive a 30th anniversary programme, a chance to view a special video message by Munira Subašić, President of Movement of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves and information for school and community groups on how to access the Rescuing The Names workshop.
My Thousand Year Old Land (A Song for BiH) will be performed at the New Vic on Friday 11 July at 2.15pm. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £15. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717 962 or book online at newvictheatre.org.uk. A live stream is also available to watch on the day for anyone who is unable to attend in person – tickets can be purchased from the New Vic.