Children demonstrate Bosnian folk dance at an event put on by the BHCCVC. | Photo courtesy of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Cultural Center Canada Society

Established in 2009, the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Cultural Center Canada Society (BHCCVC) is an organization dedicated to bringing the Bosnian community of the Lower Mainland and the rest of B.C. together. The Society’s purpose is to help keep their cultural traditions and practices alive while cultivating a sense of togetherness among its members and the community around them.

In April of 1992, the Bosnian War broke out after Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from the dissolving Yugoslavia. The fighting lasted for over three years and forced many Bosnians out of their country, with thousands of refugees coming to Canada.

A new start

Azra Vajzovic | Photo by Amila Vajzovic

Azra Vajzovic, a member of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Cultural Center, is the daughter of two of the many immigrants that came to Canada in that time period. Her father was held in a concentration camp for eight months, but was released with help from the Red Cross and was able to meet up with his wife and Vajzovic’s older sister. They were sent to Canada in 1993, with Vajzovic born in Regina shortly thereafter. The family then moved to Vancouver because they heard there were lots of other Bosnians living there. When the BHCCVC came into being Vajzovic and her family became a part of it.

“I’ve been with the Center since I was a pre-teen,” says Vajzovic. “It’s a way for the community to be together, to have one place to meet up.”

That was helped further in 2011, when the Society got its own facility. Before, they had to rent out other organizations’ buildings but now they have a main center point, where they host potluck dinners, youth education classes and many different traditional events, festivals and celebrations.

“My sister and I were part of the folk dance group at the Center,” says Vajzovic. “The youth in our community all get together and whoever wants to, can join. We performed at a bunch of different places like charities, the European Festival, hospitals, schools…all over.”

Keeping the culture alive

Along with being fun, the dance group is a way to bring the youth in the Bosnian community together, and a way for them to learn and be a part of their own culture here in Canada. There are classes at the Center where kids can learn the dance and music of Bosnian culture as well as how to write and speak in the Bosnian language.

“For young kids, they have the chance to practice writing and speaking in Bosnian,” says Vajzovic. “Being here in Vancouver and in English schools, they obviously don’t learn the language. If you don’t maintain your Bosnian, you’ll lose it.”

The feeling of being in a community and being able to learn the cultural traditions of their families and ancestors has fostered a sense of togetherness that manifests at the Center.

“People want to go there,” says Vajzovic. “Kids want to go because it’s fun to meet with your friends and be with your culture. For me, being part of the folk dancing group was great because everyone can stay in touch and stay together as a group.”

One of the events that everyone comes together for is the Annual Bosnian Festival, which is held in the summer. It’s a day-long event that includes lots of cultural food, dancing and singing, with performances from other Bosnian groups from outside of Vancouver. It’s a day of fun and getting to know everyone in the community, and one that shows what the Center has been able to do for its members.

“It’s helped me maintain my Bosnian culture and heritage,” says Vajzovic. “It’s one thing to be taught by your parents, it’s another having your own community where you can meet and learn with others.”

For more information, go to www.bhccvc.com.