Child refugee to Newcastle from Bosnian genocide shares his family's story in new exhibition
From Bosnia to Tyneside charts one family’s journey of survival from war-torn Bosnia to safety in Newcastle in the mid-1990s, and its son who shares their story for peace.
A new display From Bosnia to Tyneside charting one family’s journey of survival from war-torn Bosnia to safety in Newcastle in the mid-1990s will go on display in Discovery Museum from 10 July 2026, the day before the official UK Srebrenica Memorial Day, also known as Bosnian Genocide Memorial Day.
Smajo Beso OBE, is a doctoral researcher at Newcastle University, working in partnership with Discovery Museum to document the stories of the wider Bosnian community in the North East – their journeys, their resettlement, and the lives they have built here. For the exhibition From Bosnia to Tyneside Smajo shares his own deeply personal story and that of his family, which will run until 28 July 2027.
“Smajo is now using his first-hand experiences of unimaginable trauma to help others. We are very honoured to be able to support Smajo in his wider aim to educate people about the Bosnian genocide.”
Kylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museum said
“We feel very privileged that Smajo has entrusted us with his, and his family’s, story. When Smajo came to Newcastle as a child it was during the largest refugee crisis Europe had experienced since World War II.
“Smajo is now using his first-hand experiences of unimaginable trauma to help others. We are very honoured to be able to support Smajo in his wider aim to educate people about the Bosnian genocide.”
“This exhibition isn’t only about my family’s history, or even the history of the North East Bosnian community — it is about the history of the North East, particularly its humanitarian history."
Smajo said:
“This exhibition isn’t only about my family’s history, or even the history of the North East Bosnian community — it is about the history of the North East, particularly its humanitarian history. A history of welcoming, kind, and compassionate people. Without it, the history of the North East is incomplete
“Telling this story here, at Discovery Museum, means it becomes part of the public record of this region. And this display is only the beginning. Over the next few years, I’ll be recording the stories of Bosnians across the North East, their friends and supporters of the community, so that this history is preserved properly.”
Alongside Smajo’s own materials, the display also features objects and photographs gathered through this research from across the wider Bosnian community and beyond
The display features Smajo’s starkly honest memories of that time; from family fatalities, witnessing violence, separation from his family and moving 14 times before arriving in Newcastle and reuniting with his father and sibling – and of his passion of sharing his story to promote peace.
Through film, family photographs, and personal objects, Smajo Beso shares the story of his childhood escape from the war in Bosnia to begin a new life on Tyneside. His family story reflects the experiences of millions of people affected by the Bosnian War. By 1995, 1.2 million Bosnians had fled their country, and 4,500 refugees formally resettled in the UK.
Alongside Smajo’s own materials, the display also features objects and photographs gathered through this research from across the wider Bosnian community and beyond, including friends and supporters of the community — offering a first glimpse of the histories this project is uncovering, and a preview of a major exhibition still to come once the project is complete.
Srebrenica Memorial Day, a United Nations-recognised annual recognition day, is also known as International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. The day commemorates 1995 Srebrenica genocide, where over 8,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys were murdered by Bosnian Serb forces, as well as the broader Bosnian Genocide.
Today, Smajo Beso is an established genocide educator who teaches and speaks widely about his experiences.
Today, Smajo Beso is an established genocide educator who teaches and speaks widely about his experiences. You can discover more and follow Smajo on his educational Instagram and Tik Tok accounts.
Visitors can find From Bosnia to Tyneside on floor 2 of the museum in the Destination Tyneside gallery – a gallery dedicated to people from all over the world who have made Tyneside their home.
It is free to enter Discovery Museum – the museum is currently eclipsed by scaffolding as a major roof renovation project is underway, but the museum is operating as usual, open weekdays 10am – 4pm, weekends 11am – 4pm and closed on Bank Holidays.
