Professor Aidan Hehir’s novel The Flowers of Srebrenica comes to London stage

Professor Aidan Hehir'snovel The Flowers of Srebrenica has been adapted for the stage by Legal Aliens Theatre in collaboration with The Sarajevo War Theatre in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will hit the stage in London between 14-18 October before it travels to Oslo and Pisa.

The Flowers of Srebrenica is illustrated by David Frankum and details a journey to and from Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina where a genocide was committed in 1995. The book explores the impact the memorial centre had on the author and recounts the remarkable insights provided by the local tour guide Mustafa, who fought in the war. All the proceeds from the book go to the charity Remembering Srebrenica, a British charitable initiative that aims to create a better and safer society for all.

The play was first performed at The Sarajevo War Theatre in Sarajevo on 9 July to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the genocide, followed by performances in Belgrade and Tuzla in the same month. It is also set to travel further across Europe after its London run, heading to Oslo between 22-23 October and Pisa between 14-15 November.

Professor Hehir, Reader in International Relations at the University of Westminster, said: "The Flowers of Srebrenica is about memory; about how people's experiences, and the places where tragedies occurred, have an inherent power that we can - and should - harness to keep the truth alive. It is very exciting that the book has been adapted for the stage, and it was an honour that it premiered in Sarajevo to coincide with the 30th anniversary of this terrible event. Hopefully the book and the play will help to keep the memory of Srebrenica alive and serve as a reminder of what can happen when politically motivated hatred goes unchecked."

Professor Hehir's book and its adaptation for the stage contributes to the United Nations Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities,16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Book a ticket for The Flowers of Srebrenica.

Find out more about Politics and International Relationsat the University of Westminster.

Photo credit: Raisa Šehu

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