March Mira (March of Peace) 2017 will be held from July 6-16 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the participation of thousands of Bosnians and foreign visitors, including Iranian writers.
The peace march is organized annually in memory of the victims of the July 1995 Srebrenica genocide in which over 8,000 Bosnian Muslims, mainly men and boys, in and around the small mountain town of Srebrenica were killed by units of the Bosnian Serb Army under the command of General Ratko Mladic, now 74.
The march takes place along the 120 km route taken by the refugees as they tried to escape the massacre. It is attended by Muslims and Christians alike, cultural figures and literati from across the world to promote peace, ILNA reported.
Among the Iranian writers who will participate is Majid Qeysari, 50, author of the collection of short stories ‘Don’t Change Your Name Anymore.’ He is famous for his war stories.
Another participant is documentarian, researcher and author Morteza Qazi. Codicologist and article writer Radman Rasooli Mehrabani, poet Hamed Askari, story writer Afrouz Mahdian; poet and novelist Mohsen Rezvani; and writer and documentarian Hassan Habibollahzadeh will also attend the peace event. Habibollahzadeh has made a documentary titled ‘Turquoise’ in which he portrays a number of Iranian poets and writers.
Also participating is TV presenter, producer and director Mohammad Reza Shahidifard, 48. He has directed and produced the TV program ‘Mardom-e Iran Salam’ (Hello, People of Iran). ‘Park Mellat’ is among his other TV productions.
March Mira lasts 10 days, culminating when participants reach the village Potocari, the location of the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Cemetery.
In addition to the walk, support also comes from participants who engage in cycling marathons.
