Jasminko Halilovic grew up as a ‘war child’ in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Even though the war ended years ago, its effects linger in the atmosphere, the buildings, and the people. Between 2010 and 2013, Halilovic interviewed people online and in person about their experiences being children of war, and in 2013 published his book War Childhood: Sarajevo 1992-1995. From this book, Halilovic’s interest in war children grew, and in 2015 he began researching and further interviewing to form the foundations of what would become the War Childhood Museum. Although the stories gathered both for the book and the museum are often centered around horrific life events (e.g., the murder of loved ones, lack of food, the inability to go outside for months at a time, etc.), there is also an undercurrent of hope, love, and the bonds that tie us all together.
