Foreword by Suad Bushnaq and Keith Barker
In their suburban Canadian home, Sue and Emir's marriage is a battlefield of bitterness and constant bickering. Their past as Muslims living in Sarajevo haunts them, with flourishing careers lost to war and genocide. But, proud of their life in Canada, they choose to leave these painful memories behind them. When a birthday celebration brings their three daughters home again after eight years, bombshell after revealing bombshell is dropped, and an epic clash of wills erupts, awakening the family's darkest secrets.
Blissful State of Surrender is a poignant dramatic comedy that delves into the lives of a Bosnian Canadian family grappling with trauma, social-class limbo, and intergenerational differences, challenging Canada's self-image as a haven for refugees and revealing how internalized oppression breeds lateral violence. For immigrants fleeing the horrors of genocide, even the act of remembering can be dangerous, yet the cycle of violence can only be broken when the truth is finally set free.
“It accomplishes something rather rare in the theatre—it’s a drama that tackles 'heavy' topics, but which also successfully delivers flashes of comedy and even a few bits of slapstick.”
- Barbara Popel, Apt613
“Blissful State of Surrender seamlessly blends drama and tragedy with comedy. It is a touching tribute to the strength and resilience of Bosnian families despite the harrowing events they have had to overcome.”
- Courtney Castelino, BroadwayWorld
"Blissful State of Surrender not only opens your eyes to the hardships and intricacies of life as a Bosnian refugee but also proves relatable to any audience member that has a loud, passionate and somewhat dysfunctional family.”
- Sophie Panton, The Charlatan