‘Mother of Srebrenica’ represents world’s strong women

By Mehmet Kara

ISTANBUL (AA) - “Mother of Srebrenica” is a symbol of powerful Bosnian and all other women who face wars, sufferings, deaths and much pain, but have not surrendered, copyright of the photograph said.

Photographer Almin Zrno told Anadolu Agency about his life and career, Bosnian war, and the photograph that he considers a milestone.

Born in 1966 to a Bosnian Muslim family, Zrno grew interest to photography since he was a small child. At age 15, he started photography school and grabbed an award at an international photography competition when he was 17.

“When I was 20, I thought that everything would go better, but the war started in my country and I had to quit photography,” Zrno said, adding that he had to spend four years under arms in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia Herzegovina.

“I was only dreaming of photography when I was sleeping with arms.”

Those were the worst days of my life, but I did everything to protect my country,” Zrno said.

Zrno stated that he returned to photography at a newspaper after the war ended. Remembering the days of war, Zrno said:

“We cannot judge all Serbian people for others’ political views and ideas. Everybody knows the fascist politicians who committed genocide those days.

“There were Serbians beside me, who protected Bosnia in independence war. I cannot discriminate them.”

- ‘Mother of Srebrenica’ is a proud mother

Zrno said the photograph ‘Mother of Srebrenica’ he took in a memorial ceremony in 2001 was one of the milestones in his life.

“The mother I photographed is still alive, a very proud mother,” Zrno said, adding: “That mother represents the strong Bosnian women who are holding on to life, and now I know that she lives with her grandchildren.

“That photo represents powerful Bosnian and all other women who face wars, suffering, deaths and lots of pain in many parts of the world. It still touches me to remember those moments.”

Zrno stopped photographing people's painful, sad moments.

“I still take photos, but I don’t want to tell about and convey other people’s sufferings,” Zrno stressed.

“I am no longer strong enough to go to war zones and take photographs of people's troubles, facial expressions and disasters,” Zrno said.

“Now I prefer to help those suffering in different ways. If you go through what I've been through, you'd understand why I don't want to take those photos.”

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur