EXHIBITION “REMEMBER, DO NOT FORGET” OPENS IN MRKONJIĆ GRAD

MRKONJIĆ GRAD, APRIL 1 /SRNA/ – A photo exhibition titled "Remember, Do Not Forget" opened this evening at the National Library in Mrkonjić Grad, marking 30 years since the discovery of a mass grave of Serbs, featuring 25 photographs that authentically depict human and material suffering in this local community during the Homeland-Defense War.

History teacher at the Mrkonjić Grad Gymnasium Predrag Kokeza told reporters that there are many more photographs that could form an exhibition, but believes some are not suitable for the public as they show scenes following exhumations conducted by Dr. Zoran Stanković to establish the identities of the victims. “The manner of killing was largely similar to that in the Jasenovac camp - blunt force, fractured skulls and the like - so there are images that are not appropriate for public viewing,” Kokeza explained. He noted that the exhibition was organized together with fourth-grade students and stressed the importance of remembering what happened in Mrkonjić Grad in 1995, and what Serbs found upon returning to their ancestral homes in 1996. Kokeza thanked the Gymnasium and its director Draga Lekić, as well as Library director Milana Stupar, for enabling the exhibition, which will be open to visitors for the next month. He added that the exhibition is also, in a way, dedicated to the recently deceased Slobodan Ćoćkalo, with whom he had planned to co-author a book titled "Remember, Do Not Forget", but was prevented by his sudden death. Gymnasium director Draga Lekić said that Serbian language and history classes often address the suffering of Serbs in past wars, with particular emphasis on the tragic events of 1995 and 1996. “These are our wounds and scars that testify to the suffering, losses and deaths of innocent people. The goal of the exhibition and our joint project is to preserve memory, nurture a culture of remembrance, and pass on the truth to young people so that it would not happen again,” Lekić said. Earlier today, a memorial service was held at the Orthodox cemetery in Mrkonjić Grad and flowers were laid at the monument marking the mass grave, commemorating 30 years since its discovery, where the remains of 181 brutally killed Serbs were found. Among them were 81 civilians, including 10 women, 97 members of the Republika Srpska Army, and three members of the Ministry of Interior. An additional 176 bodies were found in smaller mass graves in the area of the municipality.