This story explores the importance of art and creative expression for young people, examining whether they have opportunities to showcase their talents and ideas and how they seize these chances when they come up.
Larisa Srkalović, a participant in the Learn, Think and Act! training, noticed that young people in her city lacked the creative outlets that youth activism offers. To address this, she decided to take a proactive and innovative approach. With her local civil initiative, “Street Art in Travnik,” with the help of volunteers, she chose to transform damaged and graffiti-covered surfaces by covering them with vibrant and meaningful artwork.
Larisa brought together young street art enthusiasts to cover empty and vandalized spaces in Travnik with quotes, images symbolizing peace, and depictions of famous local landmarks such as the Old Town, or the Sundial. This project proved a perfect opportunity for all art-loving citizens to get involved and enjoy the results. The participants wanted to foster a deeper understanding and awareness among citizens about the importance of art and activism and the issues they can tackle. The creative work was preceded by outdoor workshops on the value of volunteering and civil activism.
The targeted areas, selected in coordination with the mayor of Travnik Municipality, were prepared and primed before being transformed with murals. Volunteers Tarik Halilagić, Ambra Durmišević, and Hatidža Srkalović helped Larisa make her initiative a success. Five walls that were covered with vulgar graffiti were cleaned and painted.
“The goal of this project was to include as many young people as possible, encourage activism and motivate them to use their creativity to make our city more beautiful. I hope that peace, prosperity and love, which are the motifs of these graffiti, will reach our fellow citizens”, said Larisa.
Larisa and her volunteers hope their art will inspire other young people to share their creativity and talents with the local community. They also hope that the locals in Travnik will enjoy the new art in their town. After this initiative, Travnik now has fewer vulgar graffiti and damaged surfaces. They were replaced by artistic murals that promote peace, love, and prosperity—goals that these young people aspire to achieve.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT wishes Larisa many more successful, colorful projects and the citizens of Travnik a pleasant walk among the new art.
