(14 Dec 1995) English/Nat
As the presidents of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia gather in Paris to formally sign the Bosnian peace agreement, people are trying to rebuild their homes, towns and cities.
The Bosnian city of Mostar is being rebuilt after the bitter war destroyed buildings and even its famous bridge.
Mostar has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the war, leaving parts of it more damaged than the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo.
Mostar is one of Bosnia's most ethnically divided cities and the war between Bosnians and Croats has left parts of the city in ruins.
East Mostar, which is the Muslim sector, suffered the worst of the damage, with some buildings completely gutted.
Work has now started on reconstructing the old city.
On the frontline, where only skeletons of buildings are left, builders are at work seven days a week.
Young people are also rebuilding their lives.
Sixteen year-old Adnan Avdic has lived in Mostar since his family fled Banja Luka in 1992.
His father died later the same year whilst fighting in Mostar.
Now Adnan talks about his hope for peace, which is due to be cemented in Paris.
SOUNDBITE:
"We don't want to listen anymore to grenades and shooting, you know. It's very difficult when you stand here and the man next to you has been killed, you know. It's a very difficult experience, you know, psychologically. But we hope that peace will come soon."
SUPER CAPTION: Adnan Avdic, Bosnian Teenager
Adnan has found new enthusiasm for life at Mostar's local dance group.
He walks to rehearsals across the Tito bridge, only recently opened for free movement without a special pass.
Tito bridge is the link between the East and West of the city, following the destruction of the Old Bridge of Mostar.
The dance group, Camarad, means everything to Adnan and his friends.
SOUNDBITE:
"When you come there, you forget the war, you make fun, you kid, make jokes - you know - dance, you know. Everything is there, you know. Life is there, you know."
SUPER CAPTION: Adnan Avdic, Bosnian Teenager
There are about a hundred members of the Camarad group, performing dances about Bosnia in traditional costumes.
Adi joined two months ago and is looking forward to performing with the group in Sarajevo on Friday.
Camarad has kept going throughout the war, rehearsing several times a week in the basement of a building right on the frontline.
On occasions when the fighting was too fierce to get there, the group would meet at another place in the city - not wishing to miss out on their dancing.
Charity worker, Jonathan House, says locally-initiated projects like Camarad are the most important way to help heal the scars of war.
SOUNDBITE:
"I think when you look at situations like Camarad, it's very hopeful, very optimistic because people are rebuilding both emotionally and physically and it's amazing how quickly life is getting back to normal - as much as it can."
SUPER CAPTION: Jonathan House, Field Officer, War Child (charity)
Construction work can patch up Mostar's buildings.
But the young people are showing they have the spirit to build a peaceful future.
However, both are likely to take time.
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