PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT BAROSHICA – THE CREATIVE HIVE
Before we officially registered the Foundation, we often thought about and discussed ideas for possible activities. Around that time, Amira Ganic from the Tourist Organization of the City of Prijedor—a dear friend from our scout group “Dr. Mladen Stojanovic”—reached out to us. Amira suggested creating a children’s library in the Scout Camp “Kapela” near Brezicani in memory of our Nikola. The idea was immediately embraced by the Badnjevic family, who generously offered us land within the camp. Then, Grandpa Zoran expanded on this idea and envisioned something more than just a library: a small cultural center dedicated to fostering children’s creativity in nature. Grandpa also proposed the name: “Baroshica – The Creative Hive.”
This hive of creative bees will serve as a hub for young poets, reciters, painters, actors, and more. “Baroshica” will encourage and organize active stays in nature while nurturing and supporting the artistic inclinations of elementary school-aged children.
The structure we plan to build at Kapela will be modeled after a traditional Kozara-style wooden mountain house. Inside, it will house a library with a reading room, while outside, we’ll construct a terrace for open-air workshops. The children’s creative work will be complemented by outdoor sports activities. The scout camp already features a zip line, an obstacle course, a portable swimming pool, an archery range, and spaces for various sports and scouting skill games.
The project design for the house is currently underway, and initial funding is already being raised through the sale of the “Prijedor ABC Book” and the coloring book “Color Prijedor.” We will keep you regularly updated on the realization of this idea, the funds raised, and the involvement of interested donors.
When a stone is placed upon a person’s soul, pressing with the full force of its undeniable existence—a stone that doesn’t allow a person to take another breath without breaking apart—a stone called pain, a stone called sorrow, there are only two ways for a person to bear it. The first is to surrender to it and slowly perish under its weight. The second is to craft a chisel and, with the strength of love for the missing being, begin carving sorrow into it, vein by vein of the heart, creating a monument to one’s love.
Knowing Nikola and working with him, witnessing the creation of the Prijedor ABC Book, and observing the transformation of the power of grief, sorrow, and longing into the energy of words and books, I had no other choice but to weave the force of indescribable emotions into words myself.
In a small classroom of only a few square meters, young students' heads—full of secret thoughts, feelings, and reflections—were gathered. Opposite them sat a group of adults. Their thoughts were heavy, and burdened; grief weighed upon them. Memories. Emptiness. Longing. And then, words began to flow, like pearls. We are here remembering Nikola’s name, and the talk is about some book, some ABC book. Of history. Of culture. Of what else? Where is all this coming from at this moment? A glance at the empty spot behind Nikola’s school desk. Of course! It’s Nikola! All of this stems from him. From a young being who was already a complete person. From a child from whom even adults could learn. From a reciter who could admonish even serious orators. Yes! From Nikola. Nothing less could have come from him. Nothing greater or more beautiful could he have become. A book. Eternity. Through the power of a grandfather’s love and a father’s and mother’s insatiable need to keep their child in an infinite embrace, at least in words, at least in stories, at least in perpetual memory—the stone of grief was sculpted with the chisel of love. Into a monument. Into an ABC Book. Into an ABC Book of Love.
I do not believe in death. The Son of Almighty God defeated death. Destroyed it. Annihilated it. Resurrected eternal life. I do believe in longing. Longing until the next meeting.
