In Nevesinje, the recording of testimonies from family members of killed and missing civilians and soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Srpska continues.

As part of the activities carried out by the Memorial Center of the Republic of Srpska, in the regional studio center for recording audio-video testimonies of family members of killed and missing civilians and soldiers from the Defense-Patriotic War in Nevesinje, the collection of testimonies continues. The data will be permanently stored in the Memorial Center of the Republic of Srpska.

The Municipality of Nevesinje and organizations originating from the Defense-Patriotic War have joined the joint effort in preserving historical memory and collecting available testimonies about the suffering of the Serbian people.

The Head of the Municipality of Nevesinje, Milenko Avdalović, stated that the Municipality will assist with its resources in collecting authentic audio and video material about wartime suffering.

“By arranging the Memorial Room and the Memorial Ossuary, and by collecting testimonies about the glory and bravery of fighters from the last war, a solid archive will be created that will serve present and future generations,” Avdalović emphasized.

He recalled that in the last war, 476 fighters from the Nevesinje Brigade and 212 fighters from the Second Light Brigade of the Army of the Republic of Srpska were killed.

The President of the Municipal Organization of Families of Captured and Killed Fighters and Missing Civilians Nevesinje, Aljonka Dželetoić, says that this is an opportunity to permanently preserve our authentic stories and revive memories of lost youth and the people who created the Republic of Srpska.

“I know how difficult it is to revive painful memories, but it is important that we gather the courage and make our contribution for our loved ones so that they never fall into oblivion,” Dželetoić said.

The President of the Veterans’ Organization Nevesinje, Siniša Šipovac, assessed that this is an important project that will preserve the truth about the people who gave the most precious thing they had for the creation of Srpska.

“These are living testimonies of relatives of killed heroes who, through their authentic stories, show strength and pride and thus pay tribute to those who made the greatest sacrifice,” Šipovac said.

On the first day of operation of the regional studio center, the following people testified about the life and suffering of their loved ones: Bosiljka Ležetić, Jovan Čalija, Mileva Čubrilo, Silvana Bošnjak, Borika Šiljegović, Nataša Okuka, Siniša Šipovac, and Srećko Stević. The tears of Mileva Čubrilo, mother of two killed sons, were especially painful. This brave woman found the strength to speak about the life and tragic fate of her children.

The Memorial Center of the Republic of Srpska is intensively working on creating the largest database of audio-video testimonies about the suffering of the Serbian people. The Director of the Memorial Center of the Republic of Srpska, Denis Bojić, invites all family members of killed and missing civilians and soldiers from the Defense-Patriotic War to share their testimonies and thereby permanently preserve the memory of their loved ones. All those from the municipality of Nevesinje who wish to leave a testimony can contact the President of the Municipal Organization of Families of Captured and Killed Fighters and Missing Civilians Nevesinje, Mrs. Aljonka Dželetoić, at the telephone number: 066 147 145.

Note: Any reproduction, copying, or use of the material for other purposes is not permitted without the prior consent of the Memorial Center of the Republic of Srpska.