The award ceremony for the contest “Little Authors of Big Stories – Stories from a Child’s Heart” was held at the Safet Zajko Center for Culture and Education, once again showcasing how powerful, sincere, and deserving of space children’s voices are in our society. This gathering highlighted the creativity, courage, and visions of children across Bosnia and Herzegovina – their dreams and needs, as well as clear messages regarding the rights they deserve.
Inspirational words of encouragement and support were offered to the young authors by Fahrudin Kučuk, Lidija Sejdinović, and Dragana Bulić, Director of the World Vision BiH Foundation, who emphasized the importance of creating an environment where children can freely express their thoughts and ideas.
This year’s competition brought together exceptionally talented young authors, whose stories provided us with new perspectives, important messages, and a world viewed through children’s eyes – sincere, bold, and creative.
Awarded Authors:
Lajla Kojić, Sarajevo – A girl with a hearing impairment who dreams of becoming a dancer. Her video story speaks of persistence, art, and dreams that find a way despite obstacles.
Anur Dinarević, Lješevo – An eight-year-old boy whose “House of Kindness” reminds us that small gestures can change the world and that kindness has the power to shape a community.
Džana Hadžić, Cazin – Through a story of friendship and courage, Džana highlights the importance of expression and the support children should offer one another.
Nedžla Dedić, Sapna –“The Map of the Heart” takes us on an emotional journey through children’s rights and their deepest feelings -reminding us that children need bridges of understanding.
Džejlana Smajić, Hadžići – In her story “Wishes for a Better Future,” Džejlana conveys a powerful message about change and the hope children want to see in the world.
Kenan Smajlagić, Banja Luka – A boy on the autism spectrum who brings us closer to different perspectives, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and supportive environments for every child.
Ferhat Kadić, Bosanska Krupa – In the story of a boy named Luka and a mysterious chest filled with children’s voices, Ferhat reminds us how important it is to truly listen to every child – even the quietest ones.
Zara Kapetanović, Sarajevo – Her letter “Children’s Rights,” addressed to children in the year 2075, speaks of a world of equality and respect, highlighting the importance of children’s voices today and in the future.
Elli Kristić, Sarajevo – Elli takes us through the challenges of growing up and searching for identity, showing how young people experience the adult world and why they deserve to be included in decision-making.
Emina Halilović, Sarajevo – Her story brings a strong message about obstacles, dreams, and the inner strength of young people—encouraging peers to persist in achieving their goals.
Ema Bukva, Sarajevo – “Hands That Speak” offers an emotional reflection on communication and inclusion, showing that the language of understanding knows no boundaries.
Special Award – Grbavica II Primary School, Sarajevo received a special award for creativity as the school that submitted the largest number of entries, recognized for the collective effort of its students and their contribution to promoting children’s participation.
The award ceremony was organized within the project “Connecting the Dots 2 – Advancing Child Participation in Decision Making for Enhanced Child Rights and Democracy in B&H,” implemented by the World Vision BH Foundation and Naša Djeca Sarajevo, in partnership with the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with financial support from the European Union in BiH.
