ŠTO TE NEMA ("Where Have You Been")

Evening 1: 

A documentary about the participatory, nomadic monument of unconsumed coffee cups created by Bosnian-American artist Aida Šehović, dedicated to the victims of Srebrenica. For over 15 years, the project traveled through fifteen cities around the world — now it finds its final resting place. The film premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2024.

Followed by a discussion with the artist Aida Šehović, in English. 
Moderated by Jana Falkenroth, Heinrich Böll Foundation

The film will be shown in its original English/Bosnian version with German subtitles.

Venue:
Kino Central
Rosenthaler Str. 39
10178 Berlin

Please use the link in the green box on the right to obtain a free movie ticket for admission!

Evening 2: Discussion & artistic presentations – further information and registration here.

Monday, June 30, 2025, from 5:00 PM

Heinrich Böll Foundation, Schumannstraße 8, 10117 Berlin

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Memorial Sites Today: Memory Politics in a Polarized Environment

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Using Art to Break Society’s Silence

The Srebrenica genocide is one of the most harrowing events in recent European history. Its 30th anniversary is approaching. On this occasion, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Federal Agency for Civic Education invite you to join in remembrance and reflection.

In July 1995, units of the Army of Republika Srpska murdered more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks—mainly men and boys—within just a few days. The bodies were buried in mass graves, later partially exhumed and reburied in an attempt to cover up the crime. In November 1995, the Dayton Agreement brought an end to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, recognized the independent state within its existing borders, and formalized its division into two entities. As part of this agreement, the town of Srebrenica was assigned to Republika Srpska, the predominantly Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 2025, 30 years later, the Potočari Memorial in Srebrenica had to be temporarily closed for security reasons: The nationalist secessionist policies pursued by the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik—including the denial of the Srebrenica genocide—are leading to a worrying rise in tensions and pose a threat to the memorial and its staff.

In Germany, too, 80 years after the Second World War, Nazi memorial sites are facing renewed hostility and threats driven by right-wing extremism. Financial and political support for their work is declining.

With our guests from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Germany, we want to discuss the work of memorials in a politically polarized context. What means and ways do memorials have at their disposal to profile and defend their work in public? What civil society and artistic forms of remembrance are necessary today to counter the political backlash against remembrance? And what does it mean for the democratic public if the culture of remembrance is met with rejection, devaluation or indifference? A particular focus is on the role of artistic means in dealing with trauma, loss, the feeling of emptiness left behind and the search for identity. We cordially invite you to a diverse program on two evenings: 

Admission is free. We are looking forward to your participation.

Information
Katja Giebel
Referentin Ost- und Südosteuropa
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Berlin
E giebel@boell.de