Poem Dedicated to a Prijedor Mother
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Admir Muhic’ poem “Hava, the Prijedor Mother” was promoted in Bihac. The poem is dedicated to Hava Tatarevic, whose six sons and husband were killed in one day in 1992.
This is the first poem written by Admir Muhic Efendi, the Chief Imam of the Islamic Community Center in Karlovac, who said that he dedicated the poem to Hava Tatarevic, because he considered her the genuine heroine of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The more love for mother Hava we keep in our hearts, the more Bosnia and Herzegovina there is inside us and the stronger our homeland is. Her heart is bigger than Mount Kozara. We must not forget her, but we all must remember our heroine, who is full of life and wisdom we all need so much,” Muhic said.
He said that, in a way the poem served as a warning so the crimes that happened in 1992 would never happen again.
“The poem is an archive and document written with the aim of preventing those events from being forgotten or happening again. It serves as a reminder. It will touch all those who read it,” Muhic said.
Hava Tatarevic attended the promotion of the poem. She said that she was thankful to Muhic for writing the poem, but she found it hard to speak about her loss.
“I lost so many children. But, life is life …. It is hard, but it has to go on. It seems to me that it has been even more painful since I buried them. Everybody says that it is easier, but, for me, it is a hundred times worse. I am not afraid of anybody, but I cannot get rid of the thoughts and the pain, when thinking about what they did to my children,” Hava Tatarevic said.
During the promotion it was pointed out that “Hava, the Prijedor Mother” poem was written in a simple language and intended for broader audience in BiH and the World, but its verses were witnesses of a large tragedy and mother’s sorrow.
In addition to the book, an audio recording of the poem, as well as seven live performances, during which verses from the poem will be presented to citizens throughout BiH in the summer of next year, are being prepared.
