Oral History

After 1995, efforts were focused on locating the remains of genocide victims, conducting identifications, and establishing the Srebrenica Memorial Center (SMC) as the official burial site. Today, the SMC serves as a vital institution for preserving the memory of the Srebrenica genocide and educating the public about these tragic events.

What is Oral History?

Oral history is a contemporary method of documenting the experiences of genocide and war crime survivors through their personal testimonies. The SMC’s oral history methodology has been developed with a deep understanding of trauma and the cultural context of Northeastern Bosnia.

Purpose and Importance

The SMC’s Oral History Department is dedicated to systematically collecting and preserving the testimonies of survivors, family members of victims, humanitarian workers, and other witnesses. Each testimony is:

• recorded,
• professionally processed (transcribed, translated, subtitled),
• digitally archived,
• and preserved for future generations.

This archive represents a vital resource for researchers, educators, and the broader public, offering a deeply human perspective on one of the darkest chapters in modern history.

Additional Materials

In addition to video testimonies, the Memorial Center also collects:

• personal diaries,
• letters and photographs,
• audio and video recordings from the time of the Srebrenica siege.

These materials provide a deeper understanding of everyday life inside the enclave and the civilian resistance to suffering.

Methodology and Partnerships

The SMC's oral history methodology is grounded in experience and developed in accordance with high ethical and technical standards. Special focus is placed on producing documentary films based on collected testimonies, as well as collaborating with international partners on educational content.

Key partners include:

• War Childhood Museum (Sarajevo),
• Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN BiH),
• USC Shoah Foundation (USA).

The official methodology of the Srebrenica Memorial Center’s Oral History Program is available on this page in both Bosnian and English.

Strategic Plan 2025–2030: Expanding the Oral History Initiative

Strategic Goal 2

Enhance and expand the existing archive of personal testimonies, ensuring their accessibility for educational and research purposes, and preserving the truth about the Srebrenica genocide.

Key Activities:

2.1. Collecting Testimonies

• Conduct interviews with survivors, witnesses, and family members of victims.
• Use audio, video, and written formats for documentation.
• Technical processing: video editing, transcription, translation into English, subtitling, indexing.
• Expand outreach through partnerships with local and international organizations.

2.2. Archiving and Preservation

• Create a digital archive to organize and make testimonies accessible to researchers, educators, and the public.
• Implement long-term preservation measures, including backup copies stored at alternative domestic and international locations.
• Develop a visual history platform for controlled and easy access to selected collections.

2.3. Outreach and Public Engagement

• Organize public exhibitions and events featuring selected testimonies for educational and professional audiences.
• Collaborate with educational institutions to integrate oral history into curricula and research initiatives.
• Promote the initiative via social media, publications, and conferences to increase visibility and engagement.

The Collection in Numbers

• 700+ interviews with genocide survivors and witnesses.
• All materials are securely archived in multiple copies.
• Testimonies are currently being transferred to long-term storage formats for digital preservation.

Oral History Methodology and Interview Guidelines