“We feel an absolute urgency to tell this story so it is remembered and never forgotten. So much of what happened in Sarajevo was about violence against difference. Without expressing our traumatized past we merely manifest war into our daily mentality. A mentality of destruction perpetuated into our homes as rape, into our friendships as betrayal and ultimately into our society as apathy. This story is about the endurance of the human spirit to overcome insurmountable acts of violence and hate. It brings a message of healing, history and love that is relevant not only on our own soil but to the world. “

 - Aimee & Lidija

Peter, a young South African photo journalist finds himself torn away from his team. In order to find his way back to them, he begins his journey, cutting through the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo. Upon arrival, Peter captures a photograph of Mirela and Aleksander’s forbidden love affair. Using this photograph as blackmail, he is able to lure Mirela into being his guide to return to his team. Before they have a chance to leave Bosnia, the siege of Sarajevo begins and these characters now find themselves at the center of the civil war.

As the story develops, friendship, love and loyalty is questioned. The realities of war become raw and any sense of heroism falls away. Serbian nationalism comes up against Bosnian culture and tries to cut through the most basic form of human interaction – love. How does Peter’s loss of innocence, Mirela’s impulsive instinct and Aleksander’s never ending pride help these three people survive the same war?

The performance will be followed by a panel discussion with the cast, director and writers as well as Anne Marie du Prez Bezdrob (author, former UN political and information officer, award-winning political journalist and anchor). The discussion will centre around the conception of the play, and its relevance to its creators. The discussion will go on to take a look at the Bosnian War itself, delving into issues of nationalism, cultural identity and prejudice. 

Audience Responses

This panel discussion was nothing short of astounding. Too often when one sees a piece of theater, the show ends, the curtains close and then you are left on your own. The Cheers to Sarajevo panel discussion gave audience members a rare chance to peak behind the magic of theater. The chance to truly investigate and internalize the subject matter presented to us. I recommend more of these panel discussions in future. It's a golden experience. Thanks to cast, crew, creators and host!!!

This production was absolutely phenomenal! A poignant reflection of the human experience and so very relevant to the South African context! Congratulations to the production team and I wish them all the best in their endeavors to take their story to the rest of the world!