Here Joana describes the work they are doing with the children and young people from Bratunac, Srebrenica and other small towns and villages in the area.

“Pipi Dugočarapić (Longstocking) is a show that was discovered by the kids through the online workshops we held last year. We then spent five days where the kids were reading the plays and discussing different topics, researching, asking questions and trying to find answers for themselves.

It was not easy choosing the right topic but for sure two topics were on the top of their list. One is being different in the 21st century, being accepted for who you are, and not to be judged. The other is the relationship with authorities be they parents, teachers, government or their neighborhoods.

The kids, now actors, want to show that their voice matters in their towns and villages and they want to change the expectations of others.

We are who we are, dance with us, sing with us, eat with us, love with us but don’t judge us!

The war in Bosnia was many years ago however it is not forgotten. It has affected many families and their grandparents from our cast and our team. But this is a new generation of kids who want to change their present and their future.

Through the art, through the rock and roll musical, they’ve decided to celebrate life!

These kids want to talk through their show about freedom. Freedom of speech and identity, freedom to study, to travel and to discover different cultures, races and narratives. They want to learn and after a while to spread their knowledge to the next generation in their towns.

Theater helps them to be together in their mission. To be unconditionally ready to look at each other in the eyes and tell the truth. The truth about who they are and what they want to be.

In the rock and roll musical Pipi Dugocarapic written by Milena Bogavac (a famous Serbian writer and activist) we see topics that were discussed above. At the first glance we see one “ideal” family, who’s father is a big boss of the county. The mum who tries to keep everything under control especially her kids. The kids (Anica and Tomy) are dreaming about just being kids. Nothing more nothing less. All desires that they have are prohibited by their parents. Meeting the main character Pipi, they open the door of their dreams, passions, fears etc. Pipi is someone who doesn’t have what Tomi and Anica have, but she has something that those kids are dreaming about, freedom. They need Pipi to show them, to teach them, and to discover new way of thinking for them.

Questioning the authorities is one thing that this play talks about. Are we obliged to listen? Who do we need to follow in order to be a good citizen ? Who is responsible for our future? How do we help these children and young people to flourish?” Joana Knezevic, Director

Conversations are being held with parents and teachers, with a wider group of children and young people, making plans to involve local children with disabilities or from minority groups. There are also many small villages where children live in poverty and have no access to projects such as this because the parents cannot afford the travel or food. We will be exploring how they can also be included by raising funding for them to participate.