The 11 Voices of Srebrenica Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught
These narratives speak not only of genocide, but of survival, resilience, and the ways in which first- and second-generation survivors shape their lives.
De 11 stemmen van Srebrenica (The 11 Voices of Srebrenica) is a multimedia project that tells the stories of Bosnian-Dutch people about the genocide in Srebrenica. Thirty years after the genocide, attention has still hardly been focused on the stories of first and second-generation survivors.
Robin de Puy, a renowned portrait photographer and visual storyteller, portraited 11 voices of Srebrenica. At Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught, these portraits and stories are on display. De Puys' photographs exude sensitivity and timelessness, inviting a slow, thoughtful gaze. She delves deeply into the memories of those portrayed and attempts to forge connections between the past and the present. These narratives speak not only of genocide, but of survival, resilience, and the ways in which first- and second-generation survivors shape their lives, often leaving their histories unspoken.
We’ve designed an immersive space to invite visitors to experience the emotionally charged stories at their own pace. The maze of tall, deep blue walls, together with the geometrically placed carpets, forms a menacing and grandiose backdrop for the immense photographs. Wallpapers depicting the surroundings of Srebrenica have been placed on the walls around the installations. This multimedia exhibition also features videos with the testimonials of the 11 voices.
Robin de Puy:
‘This story needs to be told by as many voices as possible. Genocide is a tricky word. An often misunderstood word, I am learning now.
Too often people don’t know the full story and too often I hear ‘we’ and ‘they’. For ‘The 11 Voices of Srebrenica’, I dive deep into the memories of those portrayed and try to make connections between the past and the present. It is not a distant memory and the urgency is high. After all, our present is shaped by understanding our past.’
Volkskrant:
De 11 Stemmen van Srebrenica is much more than just a series of gruesome stories.
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NRC:
“There is so much fear in our bodies,” says a survivor. That fear can be felt, heard, and seen in two impressive exhibitions.
Client Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught, Robin de Puy
On show June ‘25 — October ‘25
Exhibition design (spatial) Studio Mayra & Sam
Graphic design Studio Mayra & Sam
Production Mark Spaapen
Credits photography Mike Bink
On show June ‘25 — October ‘25
Exhibition design (spatial) Studio Mayra & Sam
Graphic design Studio Mayra & Sam
Production Mark Spaapen
Credits photography Mike Bink