The ‘Lično (Personal): Portraits of War Victims’ exhibition is the work of Bosnian photographer Velija Hasanbegovic. These photos serve as symbols of humanity and courage and a powerful, permanent reminder of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) collective will to survive the 1992-1995 war, even today. The war victims featured refuse to let bitterness and pain get the better of them, opting instead to transform their traumatic experiences into wisdom. Each photo is accompanied by text written by the individual, such as:

Dragisa Andric (nee 1948): At the camp, individuals … used physical and psychological torture to leave me with permanent scars. But that didn’t kill the faith in me or the respect towards others who are different than me.

Stanislav Krezic (nee 1959): I was a witness to a triple murder…. I thought about going down the path of vengeance. Today I see it in a different light… I’m free of hatred and I’m a happy human being.

Sasa Dragic (nee 1975): Peace is the precondition for anything we might want in our lives. We appreciate it only when we lose it. Don’t live in the past.

By turning their personal pain into positive action, these people promote peace and reconciliation. By transcending their experiences, they motivate others to do the same.

USAID supported the Lično Exhibition, which has shown in Sarajevo, Jajce, and East New Sarajevo, through its PRO-Future project.

Students at opening of ‘Lično (Personal): Portraits of War Victims’ exhibition in Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina (exhibition supported by the USAID PRO-Future project).

Photos of exhibitions by Almir Panjeta (paid for by USAID PRO-Future project)

More than 20 years after the war, restoring trust and healthy relationships among people is very much needed to improve the social well-being and economic prosperity of BiH citizens. The USAID PRO-Future project brings together governments, educational and religious institutions, communities, civil society, media and citizens themselves to engage in dialogue and then promote reconciliation themselves. 

Artist/photographer Velija Hasanbegovic in Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina to open exhibition of ‘Lično (Personal): Portraits of War Victims’ at the East New Sarajevo Culture Center (exhibition supported by USAID PRO-Future project).

Photos of exhibitions by Almir Panjeta (paid for by USAID PRO-Future project)

Students in Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina view ‘Lično (Personal): Portraits of War Victims’ exhibition at the East New Sarajevo Culture Center (exhibition supported by USAID PRO-Future project).

Photos of exhibitions by Almir Panjeta (paid for by USAID PRO-Future project)

Students in Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina, viewing ‘Lično (Personal): Portraits of War Victims’ exhibition (supported by the USAID PRO-Future project).

Photos of exhibitions by Almir Panjeta (paid for by USAID PRO-Future project)