An Italian man returns to Srebrenica to build Ekometa, an eco-village promoting sustainable tourism and memory amidst post-war reconstruction.
đź”— Read the article on balcanicaucaso.org
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Irvin MujÄŤić, who fled Srebrenica as a child in 1992, returned to build the eco-village Ekometa near Kasapić. His motivation stemmed from working on a project commemorating the genocide of Roma and Sinti people and recognizing the rise of nationalist and far-right politics in Europe, drawing parallels to the events in Srebrenica. He felt a duty to the place and memory, believing that letting Srebrenica decay would allow the ideology of the past to prevail. After leaving his job in Brussels, he realized the area’s potential for sustainable tourism, combining his European design experience with the natural beauty of the region. Despite initial criticism from some quarters, the project has fostered positive connections with local families, improving their livelihoods and strengthening community bonds. MujÄŤić also discussed the complex perception of the area, noting the difficulty of portraying Srebrenica solely through the lens of the 1995 genocide, and highlighted the importance of telling the story of return and rebuilding. Ekometa is now a place focused on peace—among people, with nature, and within oneself—and continues to host various activities, including trekking and workshops.
