As those who caused the war in Bosnia are celebrating the „Day of Republika Srpska“ or Dan Republike Srpske on January 9th, this seems an appropriate occasion to take a look at what they are doing to the country again today. A short essay on Dodik-Land that hopefully helps explain the situation in Bosnia and Hercegovina.
„Thoughts on Dodik-Land“ weiterlesen
Many members of Croatia’s Serb minority feel they are put under pressure to deny what they see as their ethnic and religious identity in the country’s current census. A hitherto unkown group appeals for people to declare themselves to be members of a „Croatian-Orthodox Church“. This brings back memories of WW II, when Croatian Fascists slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Serbs in Europe’s probably cruellest genocide to date.
„Identity Politics A Genocide Later“ weiterlesen
Writer and playwright Filip Grujić from Beograd just spent a month in Sarajevo as part of a residency program for young writers from the Western Balkans region. He tells Balkan Stories how he has experienced his stay in Bosnia’s capital, what Sarajevo, Beograd and his native city Novi Sad have in common – or not – and what real challenges the young generation in former Yugoslavia faces.
VIDEO
„A Belgradian in Sarajevo“ weiterlesen
What happens if a stray kitten wonders into the probably coolest gallery Bosnia’s capital has to offer? Will it get kicked out? Or will the patrons of the place, that also happens to be a cafe bar, adopt it? Find out more about the adventures of Gallery Kitten.
„The Adventures of Gallery Kitten“ weiterlesen
Am Sonntag findet die erste Sarajevo Pride Parade statt. In der wachsenden Homophobie der Gesellschaften (nicht nur) ehemaliger sozialistischer Staaten seit der Wende kommt dem besondere Bedeutung zu. In einer Analyse erklärt die aus Sarajevo stammende Philosophin Tijana Okić, warum sie die Pride unterstützt. Und was man bei aller Unterstützung nicht ausblenden darf.
„Universalize The Struggle“ weiterlesen
The Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT) has set right the injustice its predecessor, the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) created with its original verdict against Radovan Karadžić. Upholding the verdict of Guilty, it extended the sentence against the former President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia to Life in Prison.
The protest movements Pravda za Davida and Pravda za Dženana may help change Bosnia’s dysfunctional system of governance. While they probably will not make the country’s system of corruption disappear anytime soon, they are likely to become a long-term threat to the country’s political establishment.
On the Balkans, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, is being worshipped in a bizarre manner and to a grotesque extent. To the wider public the late nun is better known by her stage name Mother Teresa. In worshipping her, even her most devout fans can not hide her dark side.
People displaced by the Bosnian War are protesting against Bosnia’s treatment of refugees from Syria and other countries. They have written an open letter in which they detail their own experiences as refugees and call for refugees in Bosnia to the treated humanely.
One of my best friends will leave Sarajevo on Saturday – for what could be for good. What will hopefully be her gain will be a great loss to Bosnian society. It just doesn’t know it yet.
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