Croatian actress Arija Rizvić shares rare photos with mother, reflects on family's wartime tragedy

Croatian actress Arija Rizvić, known for her role in the series "Sjene prošlosti" (Shadows of the Past), recently shared a heartfelt glimpse into her private life by posting birthday wishes and photos with her mother on Instagram.

Rizvić dedicated her play 'Da sam ptica' ('If I Were a Bird'), which she performs with Darija Lorenci Flatz and Tarik Filipović, to her parents. The play addresses the experiences of refugees, a theme deeply resonant with her family's history. Her parents, originally from Banja Luka, Bosnia, were forced to flee their home due to the war, arriving in Rijeka, Croatia, with just two suitcases.

"My family, like many families, has that one slightly tragic story. The war marked me deeply," Rizvić shared in a previous interview. "My parents were refugees from Bosnia who, just like in the play, came to Rijeka with two suitcases. I always emphasize that I truly admire them; they are my idols and heroes. The survival instinct that I have and that drives me in my work, I got from them."

She further revealed that her parents, both lawyers, had achieved significant success by age 35 but lost everything overnight. Her father, in particular, experienced immense tragedy, losing his entire family, parents, aunts, and cousins, in a single night. Rizvić expressed admiration for his resilience and continued positivity despite the horrific events. She believes her own birth in Rijeka was a turning point, helping to shield her father from the full impact of the tragedy.