“I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU. I am not sure if you are aware of how much you did for us. These past two weeks were beyond what I expected, and I am so grateful for that. Because of you I met amazing friends for life, expanded my world so much, I started to appreciate my family more and all that they went through during the war after years of denial and keeping those bed memories buried deep inside me. Again, thank you for everything”.

Jelena, Banja Luka

“Kuma International Summer School is one of the exceptional platforms for gathering people of different backgrounds around discussing Bosnian and Herzegovinian history reflected in various artistic forms. That is why I believe, not only I benefited from it. From my perspective, the experience one can get during these intense days is not only learning itself but also kind of ability to resonate on a deeper level with what has had happened in the past in Bosnia and by feeling a bits of pain one hears about to broad empathy which, I believe this world needs more than ever. To me, Kuma is a place where people can share difficult yet at the same time often empowering stories, practices, and narratives. Ideally, I would love to see more of this in everyday life because only this type of conversations can expand our understanding of reality formed under certain circumstances. Thus, all that we hear in schools or read in books which often tell only part of the story can be easily questioned by being open to listening to those who were directly influenced by historical events. Thinking of that I just feel our type of formal education cannot give us what such platforms as KUMA does. I believe this would not be possible without Claudia’s open-minded personality. Her genuine spirit, respectful communication, and determination were very inspirational, I guess not only for me”.

Zuzana, Slovakia

“I just had to let you know how deeply moving and informative I found the summer school in Sarajevo. I am so pleased to have been able to attend. It was brilliantly organised, and the range of speakers was amazing. So much to think about on my return! The photos of week two of the summer school looked fantastic, I really wish I could have come along, but maybe next year”.

Jayne, Plymouth University

“First of all, we would like to thank KUMA International, especially our great hosts Claudia Zini and prof. Lejla Odobašić Novo, for organizing Architecture Week and giving us an opportunity to attend it. It was a pleasure to listen to the lectures of not only great professionals but also amazing people that our lecturers were. Being able to learn about the historical layering of Sarajevo in a chronological way during the six-day period is not a chance we can get whenever we want, even though it is about the city we live in. We also hope, and believe so, that it was as interesting for our Italian friends as it was for us. If it wasn’t for this summer school, we wouldn’t be able to meet so many different people which is, for us, the most important thing we gained from this journey. Professional development aside, the point of this week was to make friends with new, amazing people and we know that we managed to do that. Safe to say, this was the best experience we could have asked for. Once again, thank you and we hope that we will have this kind of opportunity again”

Azra and Emina, Burch University Sarajevo

“First of all, thank you. Thank you of course for welcoming me into Kuma summer school. Thank you for listening to my personal story. Thank you for bringing diaspora together. For selecting such talented and good-hearted individuals. Thank you for creating a platform that elevates the voices of artists, historians, people within Bosnia and Herzegovina. That platform has allowed us to be listeners, to validate their stories and be participants in the progression of such a beautiful nation. I have struggled for many years with the duality that is being Bosniak and American. Being an artist who makes work regarding that relationship and always feeling like it wasn’t important or interesting. I really have never met someone like me, someone who has a similar story. This summer I met Uma and Maja, two incredible souls that finally understood, and to be understood is such an incredible thing. I can’t even begin to describe how healing meeting those two was for me. Meeting everyone in the program was healing. We all came together from different parts of the world because there was a shared interest, a shared love I would say. After this summer I think I will listen to my heart a little more. Kuma has and will continue to connect, open doors and heal for many, many years”.

Arnela, New York City

“Kuma was an amazing experience. The lectures were all interesting and I felt privileged to listen to each and every one of the speakers. The second week was wonderful as well. Even though I am Bosnian, I never saw Bosnia in such a light as you have shown me. I felt deeply affected by everything we’ve seen and experienced. I’ve also loved getting to know people who attended Kuma and thanks to you, I have made some really strong friendships with people I care deeply about and cannot wait to see again. But the thing I have to thank you the most is for connecting me to my Bosnian roots, and showing me, that although I am caught between two different worlds and sometimes I feel like I am not “Bosnian enough”, I am not alone. I now have a greater sense of what it means to be Bosnian and am more proud of my heritage than I have ever been”.

Lejla, Ljubljana