The Theatre as a Commemorative Space

Nuran David Calis conceives the theatre as a space of encounter and remembrance that can make the past seem present and that strives to receive the experiences of various communities. To start a new series, we will therefore hold a journalistic and artistic symposium which primarily addresses the Muslim community of Salzburg. It discusses a dark chapter of European history that has again been present in the media since late 2025 because of ongoing investigations: the so-called “human safaris of Sarajevo”.

The term “human safaris” describes the atrocious events that took place during the siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War (1992–1996). Reports say wealthy Western European tourists paid money to hunt civilians. Prosecutors in Milan have opened investigations based on the research of the writer and investigative journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, who claims to have found out the names of some of the people allegedly involved. The victims were almost exclusively Muslim Bosnians.

We use journalistic panels, debates and artistic interventions to shed a light on the historical events of the “human safaris” in an informative, atmospheric and emotional manner. Join us in creating a space of remembrance and empathy for the survivors of the “human safaris” and of the Balkan War as well as their offspring.