Dijana Muminovic, Bosnian-American photojournalist

In 2010 photojournalist Dijana Muminovic moved back to her native Bosnia from Kentucky USA to follow the story of women survivors of the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica.  Living and working out of her native town of Zenica in central Bosnia, Dijana has been working under two grants from the Kentucky Foundation for Women and continues to live in Zenica. In addition to her work following the stories of the women survivors, many of whom are victims of rape and other war atrocities, Dijana has followed groups of young Bosnians volunteering to uncover and properly bury those who have been recently discovered in mass graves 15 years after the war.

Dijana is a graduate of the photojournalism program at Western Kentucky University where her work has been recognized by the William Randolph Hearst competition.

“For many of my assignments in college, I photographed recent immigrants in Bowling Green,” says Dijana. “Observing their struggles as they adapt to a new culture, I saw lives very familiar to my own.  This allowed me to connect with subjects and gain access to photograph their lives on an intimate level. I saw the importance of documenting a balance of culture maintenance and assimilation in their new communities.”

“My images were presented in a gallery at Western Kentucky University. I asked four women that I photographed to speak during my event and let others know how genocide still affects their lives. Through tears they explained that their husbands are still missing and lay in mass graves with thousands of others. It may take years to identify them.  For over a decade, these women wait for their return that may never happen.”

Dijana is working directly with the Truth With A Camera Workshop which will be in Zenica in May 2011. With her wealth of knowledge of the NGOs, photography community and community at large, she will be an integral member of the Truth team in Zenica, Bosnia.

Her work is online at www.dijanaphoto.com and you can follow her experience on her blog.

Roma Centro – Zenica

In Zenica, you see them everywhere. In the bus stations and in the cafes. Roma (gypsy) children begging for dimes instead of going to school.

Using the non-negotiable standards and obligations of the United Nation’s Convention of the Rights of the Child, Roma Centro – Zenica is devoted to improving the living conditions of Roma communities throughout Zenica and the local area. The organization seeks to educate the young while preserving their language, culture and traditions.

While the Roma community comprises less than 2% of the entire Bosnian populace, Roma Centro endeavors to fight against social exclusion.

Roma Centro – Zenica is just one of the many non-profits/NGO’s in Bosnia that you can find yourself working with when you sign up for Truth With a Camera’s upcoming May workshop.

NEW: Announcing Truth Workshop Bosnia

©2010 Dijana Muminovic

TWAC Workshops Announces the 3rd international workshop in Zenica, May 19-29th.

Registration opened today for our third international photojournalism workshop. The host country is Bosnia and the week-long workshop will take place from May 19-29th. There will be many more announcements and details to come.

 

Go here to learn more and register.