The TPO Foundation, in collaboration with Hasija Borić Stojić, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most respected actresses, organized two performances of Hasanagićin Blues. The first was held on January 23, 2025, at the Vogošća Municipality Hall, and the second on January 27, 2025, at the Breza Library.

The play dives into the serious issues of gender-based violence and femicide, blending the folk epic Hasanaginica with real-life testimonies from court cases involving victims of violence, as well as messages about the women who have tragically lost their lives in recent years in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Art is a powerful way to bring these important conversations to the public, helping both women and men connect with the issue on an emotional level and feel a sense of responsibility for the lives of women and children affected by violence. Through the UNIGEM project, many campaigns and initiatives have been launched, and every new activity involving different parts of society helps reduce the stigma that silences victims and discourages them from speaking out and seeking help.

Statistics show that one in three women will experience some form of gender-based violence, and the recent femicides serve as a harsh reminder that no one can afford to stay silent or look the other way. Violence is everyone’s problem, and we all have a role in preventing it whether through education, policy changes, or legal reforms.

Through her activism, Hasija Borić Stojić uses the language of art to remind us that we all need to do our part in building a society free from violence.

Zilka Spahić Šiljak, the director of the TPO Foundation, responded to questions from the audience during a discussion and highlighted the importance of fostering non-violent communication from an early age to change the cultural norms around what constitutes acceptable violent behavior and how it leads to further violence.