From Sweden to Chicago: Communities worldwide honour the victims of the Srebrenica genocide PHOTO/VIDEO

Sweden: Cyclists and walkers pay tribute to more than 8,500 victims

In the Swedish city of Örebro, the anniversary was marked with a series of symbolic events commemorating the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and all those who lost their lives during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Twenty-five members of the local Örebro cycling club completed an 85-kilometre memorial ride, symbolically covering 10 metres for each of the more than 8,500 victims of the genocide.

At the same time, participants in a silent memorial walk covered 8,500 metres, representing one metre for each victim.

Cyclists and walkers arrived together at Örebro Castle at 11 a.m., where they held a short commemoration, laid flowers into the river and paid tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide as well as all those killed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event formed part of global activities aimed at preserving the memory of the victims and promoting a culture of remembrance, peace and the prevention of future atrocities.

Chicago: Bosnian community gathers in remembrance

Bosnians and Herzegovinians living in the United States gathered at Montrose Plaza in downtown Chicago to commemorate the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and mark 11 July.

Participants stressed the importance of preserving the truth about the genocide and passing on the culture of remembrance to future generations.

"With respect and dignity, we remember the innocent victims and send the message that truth and remembrance must live on. We will never forget. Srebrenica, 11 July 1995 – Never Forget," participants said during the gathering.

The commemoration was organised by Haris Selak.

Earlier that morning, at 6 a.m., the national flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was raised in Chicago's central square while the country's national anthem was played.

Organisers from the Bosniak Brotherhood of Genocide Survivors said the ceremony was intended to demonstrate solidarity with Srebrenica and its victims despite being thousands of kilometres away.

"Unfortunately, we are not in Srebrenica today, but in this way we wanted to show that we stand with Srebrenica and all of its victims. May it never be forgotten and never happen again—to anyone, anywhere," the organisation said, noting that it has marked 11 July in this way every year since 2011.

Spain: 'Mother of Srebrenica' exhibited in Alicante and Gernika

As part of commemorations marking the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide, the iconic photograph Mother of Srebrenica by Bosnian photographer Almin Zrno has gone on display in Spain.

Organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Spain and the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art Sarajevo, the exhibition has opened in the cities of Alicante and Gernika.

The photograph is being exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante (MACA) and the Gernika Peace Museum, presenting what organisers describe as a powerful testimony to human suffering and a reminder of the importance of peace.

At MACA, Mother of Srebrenica has been placed in dialogue with Spanish artist Julio González's sculpture Montserrat Crying II (Montserrat criant II), which depicts the suffering of mothers during the Spanish Civil War.

MACA Director and curator Rosa Castells said both works, created seven decades apart, express the universal pain experienced by mothers confronted with the horrors of war.

The opening in Alicante was attended by Željko Komšić, the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The exhibition in Alicante is temporary, while the display at the Gernika Peace Museum will remain open until the end of the year.

This year's commemorations follow the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on 23 May 2024, designating 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.