The Bosnia Memory Project is a historical and cultural preservation project directed at establishing an enduring record of the experiences of Bosnian genocide survivors, especially those living in metropolitan St. Louis.

One of our most important goals is to develop an archive of documents and recorded interviews (sometimes called oral histories) that preserves the experiences of Bosnian immigrants and their families. These documents and interviews are used only for educational and research purposes; all precautions are taken to respect the privacy and dignity of anyone who chooses to participate. Through this research, we hope to establish an archive of resources that will be of use to students and scholars, including the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Bosnians who have recently immigrated to St. Louis.

Whom is Fontbonne interested in interviewing?

Fontbonne is interested in interviewing anyone who is from Bosnia or whose parents are from Bosnia, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, profession, or level of education. We are also interested in interviewing people from other parts of the former Yugoslavia.

Will the interview be recorded?

Yes. Either an audio or a video recording will be made, depending on the preference of the speaker. Recordings will be housed at Fontbonne University and will be made available to students and researchers. The interviews will not be used for commercial purposes.

What questions are asked in the interview?

There is no standard set of questions. Instead, the speaker is encouraged to tell about his or her personal experience, recounting what life was like before, during, and after the war and genocide. Also of interest are the experiences of coming to and living in the United States.

Will an interpreter be provided?

Fontbonne will provide an interpreter if needed.

What if I or someone I know has photographs, letters, or other documents relevant to life in Bosnia or to the Bosnian genocide?

Fontbonne is interested in collecting relevant letters and documents, preferably by digitally scanning them and returning the originals to their owners. These scans will become part of a digital database available to students, faculty, and researchers.

Will I be paid for participating in an interview or for donating photographs or documents?

No. Funding is not available for such payment. In addition, interviews are considered by researchers to be more valid if the speaker is not paid.

To schedule an interview or to learn more about the Bosnia Memory Project at Fontbonne University, contact Dr. Ben Moore at (314) 889-4553 or bmoore@fontbonne.edu.