In July 2015, on the occasion of the celebration of the XX anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, I took part in Mars Mira, an annual peace walk in Bosnia and Herzegovina organized in memory of the victims of the 1995 massacre. A 3-days walk of 110 km that retraces the same path made by thousands of Muslims escaping from Srebrenica on 11th July 1995.
The first march was held in 2005 to mark the tenth anniversary of the genocide. Since then, the march has become an annual and international event which sees a growing number of participants (in 2014 over 5000 people participated in it) coming from all over the world. It always starts on 8th July from Nezuk, a small town located in eastern Bosnia, culminating in the participants' arrival to Potoāari, where the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial-Cemetery is located.
The armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina ensured the preparation and safety of base camps, as well as the transport of a backpack for each participant. Many tanks of drinking water were placed over the entire length of the path. All the way , teams of doctors and paramedics have followed the column paying first aid to the dozens of people who have needed. It has been a very strong and intense experience, both from a physical and psychological point of view, made by interesting meetings and cultural exchanges.
It has been a very strong and intense experience, both from a physical and psychological point of view, made by interesting meetings and cultural exchanges.
Federico Sutera Photography
Federico Sutera is an italian freelance photographer based in Venice.
His main work is focused on documentary projects and fine art prints.