In February, Opera Circus will be running a residency in Srebrenica led by Dr. Milena Dragicevic Sesic with partners from Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, BiH, Netherlands and the UK.  Additionally, they have taken part in discussions with several major organisations including the OSCE and the UNDP involving ideas for using culture to develop government initiatives.

As a result of the Creative Collaboration partnership project and support from the Network Social Fund and others, Opera Circus have devised a way of working through practical on the ground projects, in particular working with music both as therapy and through performance.  They are working with their partners Musicians without Borders BiH, in particular Baya Corlija the Director and Amir Basic (Music Bus) and are helping to support the development of the Children's Music Theatre in Srebrenica.  They also work to support Professor Nigel Osborne and the Summer Music Camp for special needs children at the Foundation for Peace near Sarajevo. Opera Circus also organised a week of workshops and meetings in Srebrenica with Nigel Osborne, students from the University and several Bosnian and UK artists.

Tina Ellen Lee of Opera Circus stated ‘This has been the most positive experience for the partnership, it has brought up problems, misunderstandings, developed trust, helped uncover where the working difficulties are and in addition encouraged us to go forward and apply for major funding together for a two year project with an event in each country supported by the whole partnership and centred around the performing arts and the development of culture as a tool for change.’

‘Finally the great news is that we have been invited by the OSCE to perform a concert production of our opera "Differences in Demolition" at the Hofberg in Vienna on the 8th April 2010.  We hope the whole partnership will be able to attend.’

Opera Circus is honoured to be working with the OSCE to highlight the work that has been done in BiH to date and to be given a platform to advance their plans in the region for the future.

Visit their project profile page for more information on what Opera Circus and their partners have been up to