Af - Back to Srebrenica
"AF - Back to Srebrenica" is a monologue by actor and theatre-maker Nico Meurs, who in the show plays the role of Ben Verburg, a Dutchbat veteran returning to Srebrenica, years after the dramatic events there.
The play is a probing narrative of a man struggling with his past as a soldier during the fall of Srebrenica, where Dutch peacekeepers were involved in the failed protection of the Muslim population during the Bosnian war.
In the monologue, Ben, working in a shoe shop and trying to hide his traumatic experiences, is confronted with the need to return to the place that changed his life forever. Despite the suffering, losses, and criticism the Dutch soldiers received at the time, Ben searches for ways to make sense of his own struggle and responsibility. The performance is an emotional and human story that seeks to understand what it means to carry a war experience with you.
The piece does not highlight ...
The play is a probing narrative of a man struggling with his past as a soldier during the fall of Srebrenica, where Dutch peacekeepers were involved in the failed protection of the Muslim population during the Bosnian war.
In the monologue, Ben, working in a shoe shop and trying to hide his traumatic experiences, is confronted with the need to return to the place that changed his life forever. Despite the suffering, losses, and criticism the Dutch soldiers received at the time, Ben searches for ways to make sense of his own struggle and responsibility. The performance is an emotional and human story that seeks to understand what it means to carry a war experience with you.
The play not only highlights the personal impact of the Srebrenica experience on Ben, but also sheds broader light on universal themes such as guilt, reconciliation and the search for meaning after trauma. The monologue explores the difficult questions facing veterans of all kinds of conflicts: 'What did I do? What have I not done? And how can I give something back?"
The performance, which will tour the Netherlands from September 2025, is particularly relevant as it marks 30 years since the fall of Srebrenica and 80 years since the end of World War II (1945-2025). This gives the performance extra depth and temporal resonance.
With a mix of black humour and serious reflections, Nico Meurs offers viewers a glimpse into the soul of a veteran, while Kees van der Zwaard's text carefully explores the complex feelings and dilemmas. The play is thus not only an opportunity to remember the history of Srebrenica, but also to reflect on broader, timeless themes of humanity and forgiveness.
For those interested, there will also be a short introduction prior to the performance, and a small exhibition with text and images, providing further context.
So this play looks set to be a powerful experience for both veterans and the wider audience, with the potential to spark deep conversations about war, trauma and the power of hope and reconciliation.
Prices
- € 15,00