ESTABLISHMENT AND MISSION OF THE CENTRE
The public institution “Memorial Center of Republika Srpska” was founded on May 30, 2024, by a decision of the Government of Republika Srpska on behalf of the Republic. The Center is defined as the central memorial institution whose primary function is to protect the general and national interests of Republika Srpska in the field of remembrance culture, research, and education.
By establishing the Center, Republika Srpska has acquired an institution dedicated to the permanent preservation of collective memory and the objective presentation of historical facts.
The main objective of the Memorial Center is to become a modern, dynamic and accessible center of knowledge, learning, remembrance and education. This vision is realized through museum and gallery exhibitions, multimedia and interactive content, scientific conferences, panel discussions, educational programs and publishing.
The Visual Archive of Serbian Suffering represents a unique and systematic concept of a digital database of audio-video testimonies about the suffering of the Serbian people and is one of the most significant segments of the work of the Memorial Center of Republika Srpska. This segment of work originated from the activities of the non-governmental organization “Visual Archive of Serbian Suffering”, within which the foundations were laid for the systematic collection, archiving, and preservation of personal testimonies, historical material, and the culture of remembrance of the suffering of the Serbian people during the 20th century.
DEVELOPMENT AND STUDIO CENTERS
Since its establishment, the Memorial Center of Republika Srpska has developed a broad infrastructure for field and research work through a network of 13 study centers across Republika Srpska. The study centers serve as regional hubs for collecting archival material, recording testimonies, cooperating with victims’ families and local communities, as well as developing the culture of remembrance throughout Republika Srpska.
Within the Center’s work, more than 1,500 audio-visual testimonies have been recorded and collected so far, while more than 115 locations have been geographically documented. Witnesses speak through their personal experiences about the struggle, suffering, persecutions, camps, war crimes, and the life of the Serbian people during the Defensive Fatherland War.
The goal of the collected testimonies is the permanent preservation of personal memories and historical facts, the creation of a reliable archival and scientific base for future research, as well as the development of educational, museum, and documentary content that will contribute to the culture of remembrance and the preservation of the national identity of Republika Srpska.
ARCHIVE AND DOCUMENTATION
The Memorial Center has initiated the acquisition and systematization of archival material, thereby ensuring the permanent preservation of original documents that are crucial for historical research.
All data and materials collected during interviews and research are stored with the highest level of protection, at multiple physical locations and server systems, which guarantees the security and long-term preservation of the content.
COOPERATION AND NETWORK OF PARTNERS
The Memorial Center of Republika Srpska has developed a broad network of institutional and social cooperation with organizations, associations, scientific institutions, local communities, and institutions dealing with the culture of remembrance, the protection of historical heritage, and the preservation of testimonies about the suffering of the Serbian people.
Cooperation has been established with numerous partners in Republika Srpska and the Republic of Serbia through joint projects, field research, archiving of materials, organization of exhibitions, scientific conferences, educational programs, and activities aimed at preserving the culture of remembrance.
Particular importance is given to the cooperation with the families of the killed and missing persons, associations formed from the Defensive Fatherland War, as well as local communities that provide support in collecting testimonies and preserving historical material from the areas where Serbs suffered during the 20th century.
Through the development of a partner network and cooperation with similar institutions, the Memorial Center of Republika Srpska is building a foundation for the systematic research, documentation, and presentation of the historical experience and suffering of the Serbian people.
