St. Louis Bosnians Inc.

09/10/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 PM at the Touhill Performing Arts Center for a special conversation exploring Bosnian immigration and resettlement in St. Louis.

Featuring panelists from the Bosnian community, the discussion will reflect on Bosnia before, during, and after the war; the deeply personal experience of becoming a refugee; and the challenges and hopes of rebuilding a life in the United States.

The conversation will also explore the remarkable story of the Bosnian American community in St. Louis and how refugees who arrived here helped transform the region through family, culture, entrepreneurship, community involvement, and civic life.

📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Touhill Performing Arts Center

We invite members of the Bosnian community, friends, students, and the greater St. Louis community to join us for an evening of personal stories, history, reflection, and conversation.

09/10/2026

Join us for a special talk at Webster University featuring Lejla Susic, a former participant in the Bosnian Student Project.

During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately 160 Bosnian students were given the opportunity to continue their education at universities across the United States. Webster University welcomed several of these students, including Lejla, who will share her story and experiences as part of this remarkable chapter in Bosnian-American history.

📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026
🕞 3:30–4:30 p.m.
📍 Webster University, 101 Edgar Road, St. Louis, MO 63119

The talk complements the exhibition "From War to the Classroom: The Bosnian Student Project," currently on display in the Emerson Library lobby at Webster University. The exhibition features materials from the Center for Bosnian Studies’ collection documenting the Bosnian Student Project and the experiences of students who came to the United States during the war.

The exhibition is open to the public every Tuesday through December 8, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, or by appointment.

We invite members of the St. Louis community to join us in learning more about this important story of education, displacement, resilience, and the lasting connections between Bosnia and Herzegovina and St. Louis.

09/05/2026

During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, around 160 Bosnian students were invited to study at universities in the United States as part of an initiative called The Bosnian Student Project. Webster University welcomed several of these students, including Lejla Susic.

On Wednesday, September 16 from 3:30 to 4:30pm, Lejla will speak about her experience before, during, and after this period of her life. Please register for this free event at the email address in the flyer.

This talk complements the exhibit "From War to the Classroom: The Bosnian Student Project," part of the Center for Bosnian Studies' collections on The Bosnian Student Project. Public viewing hours are every Tuesday through December 8, 9am-noon, at Webster University's Emerson Library, 101 Edgar Rd. St. Louis, MO 63119.

07/09/2026

This upcoming Saturday…

07/09/2026

Loryn Nalic was named Best Chef: Midwest by the James Beard Foundation for her mastery of Bosnian cuisine at Balkan Treat Box.

Nalic’s victory in that category ended St. Louis’ almost decade-long James Beard drought. But she has spent many more years learning about the food traditions of her husband, Edo Nalic, who’s co-owner of Balkan Treat Box and Telva at the Ridge in Webster Groves.

As someone who married into a Bosnian family rather than growing up in one, Nalic knew earning the community’s trust called for deep respect for its culinary culture. That meant studying with people who had been making the food “for centuries.”

She spent years in the kitchen learning from her husband’s aunt before launching Balkan Treat Box as a food truck in 2016. That included a 2013 trip to Bosnia — it was her first time ever leaving the United States, and she did so alone. She learned directly from local bakers and chefs there.

She has since returned to the Balkan region multiple times to study traditional techniques and deepen her understanding of its cuisine.

“I've always been hyperaware of it,” Nalic said. “Making sure that I have so much respect, and if I have respect and I'm learning the right way and doing things the way they're meant to be done, and I can show that I can do that, then I can be creative.”

From "St. Louis on the Air": https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2026-07-08/how-st-louis-chef-loryn-nalic-honored-bosnian-traditions-on-her-way-to-a-james-beard-award

07/03/2026

Via St. Louis CITY SC

07/03/2026

Via St. Louis Public Radio

07/03/2026

Most of the fans wore Bosnian team jerseys, but in the parking lot, there were cars and trucks that each had both US and Bosnian flags.

The United States ultimately won the game 2-0 and will next play Belgium.

“We are a little sad,” Smajic said, “but we are happy that United States is going through, and we are going to beat Belgium on Monday.”

The US city is home to about 70,000 Bosnians, the largest diaspora community outside their homeland

07/03/2026

Lejla Memisevic, 26, knew what she had to do the minute Bosnia and Herzegovina clinched a spot in the group stage of the World Cup in March.

Parents and children surprise each other with once-in-a-lifetime World Cup games.

06/16/2026

Congrats to our friends at Balkan Treat Box and Telva!

ICYMI: Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves won Best Chef: Midwest at the James Beard Foundation’s annual awards gala Monday evening at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.