Tayyib Erdoğan Aydın An experience that stands as one of the most beautiful in my life and one I recommend everyone to experience at least once: the March of Mira…
To briefly explain what the March of Mira is: it is a “Peace March” held in Bosnia and Herzegovina in memory of those massacred in the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. In addition to being a peace march, it is organized to show that the Bosniaks are not alone and to keep this memory alive every year. This three-day journey begins in Nezuk and continues to Potočari, where the graves of the martyrs are located.
First Day in Bosnia-Herzegovina
On this journey, which we embarked on with a large group from Turkey, we first toured and explored the Balkans before reaching our main destination, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia is a unique country with its nature, people, cities, and historical landmarks. After visiting cities like Stolac, Mostar, and Sarajevo, we arrived at the starting point of the March of Mira. We came a day before the march began and set up our tent there. In this process, a tent becomes one of the most essential needs.
On this journey of approximately 100 kilometers, the importance of a tent and a sleeping bag is immense. Even though it’s mid-summer, Bosnia’s nights can be so cold they might wake you up from your bed shivering. We prepared all our necessities in Istanbul and set out. Another factor that made this process easier was being part of the March of Mira Turkey team. They provided a space for our team to set up tents, which we took advantage of. Additionally, facilities like electricity, toilets, and showers at the camp allowed us to relax after the march.
After setting up our camp in Nezuk on the first night, preparations for dinner began, with supplies from the market sufficient to cover our food needs for the next three days. Following the meal and congregational prayer, we formed a circle to chat, and later, wrestling matches brought lively moments, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood within the group. The next day was one we all eagerly anticipated—a challenging experience, yet one we deeply longed for.
Camp and the March of Mira
After spending the night at the camp, we performed our prayers, had breakfast, packed up our tents, and moved towards the starting point of the march. That day, Nezuk was packed with thousands of people. People who had come from various parts of the world were waiting for the march to begin. In the March of Mira, the “cortege,” consisting of the families of martyrs and veterans, walks at the front, followed by everyone else.
The first day is actually one of the most exhausting, as the cortege is frequently stopped, causing everyone else to pause as well, which disrupts the pace. However, the excitement of the first day was unique. Families we met along the way eagerly offered us refreshments. They waved to us, and children stood by the roadside with candies in their hands to greet us. We, in turn, gave them candies from our own pockets.
This was where the purpose of the march truly revealed itself—we were meeting people who had witnessed this genocide, trying to understand their pain. We made an effort to keep the intention of the march alive in our minds, though, of course, some people saw it merely as a mountain hike. The core of the journey was to understand the Bosniaks who crossed this path while fleeing from the Serbs and to keep the memory of this genocide alive.
The End of the First Day
I can say it was the first day, the first experience, and the first observations. By the time we arrived at the camp, our legs were exhausted. We had covered approximately 24 kilometers over mud, hills, rocks, and asphalt. After setting up our tents and having our meals, preparations began for the second day, which was still ahead of us.
To be continued…
