“Reconciling the views of the past remains challenging and fragmented”

Dr. IVANA MARIĆ - political analyst [Bosna i Hercegovina]

GENERATION OF LIVED HISTORY

The war does not end with the cessation of the conflict. Survivors continue to carry it deep inside them. The way post-war society relates to war affects individuals and shapes transgenerational memory.

• How has the generation that lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region during the wars in the former Yugoslavia – and especially during the genocide in Srebrenica – experienced and shaped this history in the past 30 years: through personal memories, reflections, but also through narratives in the media, films, books, textbooks and rituals of remembrance?

"Every trauma leaves deep traces, and this especially applies to collective traumas with unimaginable suffering and numerous losses, both of dear people and homes. The war left indelible and deep traces in the individual and collective memory of generations that were participants in unfortunate events. Unfortunately, the war did not end with the end of the armed conflict, but continued with no less dangerous means, which did not takelives, but destroyed many lives. The war continued in the minds of the victims and in their independent struggle with the loss of the people they loved, by trying to forget the psychological and physical pain, humiliation and torture. However, the problem arises due to different experiences and narratives arising from them. Starting with the number of victims of each crime, which has been growing on all three sides for years. It is as if they are competing who suffered the greatest casualties. As if killing one person, and especially one child, is not enough to agree on how cruel it is, but these numbers increase without any argument. There are different songs, stories, books, films, textbooks, as if they are not talking about the same war, but at least three different wars. The worst in all this are politicians, who abuse victims to promote themselves. The content and sense of conveying the truth are lost due to triviality, acting and political points. In many parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, textbooks offer different versions of the same history, often shaped by ethno-national interests. This has led to the fragmentation of collective memory, where what is true is traded and negotiated. Instead of condemning every criminal, people only acknowledge their own heroes, and others' criminals. On such premises, one cannot overcome the past or build a common future."

A GENERATION BORN IN HISTORY (THOSE BORN IN 1995)

Thirty years later, we are once again witnessing the shaping of history amidst political manipulations of narratives. That is why transgenerational memory is required to carry a culture of remembrance and responsibility to the truth – in the name of future generations who must learn how peace is built and preserved.

• How does a generation born in the year of the Srebrenica genocide today understand this history? And how did growing up in this heritage shape their sense of identity, memory, and responsibility?

"A generation born in 1995 carries the legacy of war through an emotional, political, and educational narrative. Their understanding of history is directly influenced by their parents, school, society, and the media. If the truth were the most important, then the memory of the genocide in Srebrenica should be the same for everyone, however, the attitude towards this tragedy largely depends on their nationality. Some condemn it, others justify it, and others find it irrelevant, which is devastating and what must be worked on, but not by sticking your finger in the wound, but by talking and open discussions with the presentation of irrefutable facts."

TRANSGENERATIONAL MEMORY DYNAMICS (1995-2025)

Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still marked by war traumas. Prevailing ethno-national policies keep citizens in fear, under constant threat of a new war – for their own interests. Politics has instrumentalized trauma.

• How – and whether – generations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the regions that lived through the wars in the former Yugoslavia, especially the events of 1995, and the generation born that same year have shaped mutual understanding of the past? To what extent are their views aligned today – and how do they differ?

"Due to frequent conflicts and political bickering, two camps have been made in these generations. One consists of those who have become vigorous advocates of narratives who have taken over from their parents and society and who continue to heat up conflicts, while the other includes those who are fed up with all these stories from all three sides and do not want to participate in it, but have focused on the present and are looking to live life better with everything it provides, from travel, learning, socializing. Some adopt views without question, while others actively question that past and seek their own sources of truth. Despite the differences, there is more and more space where these two narratives can meet. The retrieved memories should serve as education, however, in reality, communication between these generations is often difficult, precisely because of the politicization of trauma and the manipulation of narratives. As long as political elites continue to produce fear and division, reconciling the views of the past remains challenging and fragmented."

REGIONAL FUTURE: TRANSGENERATIONAL MEMORY, HERITAGE OR TRAUMA (2025-2055)

Thirty years after the war, ethnic identity still dominates the civic. In post-war society, the structure of ethnically divided space often makes civic initiatives impossible, as they are automatically attributed an ethnic sign.

• How could political, social, educational and cultural development in Bosnia and Herzegovina – and more broadly in the region – affect how transgenerational memory will be preserved, reinterpreted or denied in the next 30 years?

"If the dominance of the national narrative continues, there is a danger that transgenerational memory will be increasingly instrumentalized and relied upon for national affiliation, and truth increasingly relativized. However, through educational reforms, regional cultural initiatives, civic activism, digital archiving of testimony and connecting young people across borders, space can be created to truly confront the past. For this, the most important will be who manages public opinion and to what end. If they are retrograde, radical and interest structures eager for revisionism, the memory will be distorted. But if they are influenced by independent civil society and relevant educated institutions, it is possible to create an authentic narrative about the past that will not serve to gain power, but to build a common future. The key lies in formal and informal education, through museums, digital platforms, art and public discussions. If young people are given access to facts, if they are encouraged to ask questions and seek answers, there is hope that transgenerational memory will become a tool for building peace rather than maintaining divisions."

GLOBAL FUTURE: TRANSGENERATIONAL MEMORY, INDIFFERENCE OR REVISIONISM (1995-2025-2055)

In the modern world, geopolitics is rapidly conditioning historical narratives and transgenerational memory – openly trading influence in conflicts and party choices through daily-political revisionism.

• How could global political disruptions, conflicting international historical narratives, and changing norms on justice and human rights shape the ways in which knowledge of wartime events from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region will be transmitted, challenged, or withheld across generations over the next 30 years?

"Geopolitical rearrangement shapes transgenerational memory of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Revisionism is becoming the dominant policy, not only in totalitarian regimes but also in some countries that we consider democratic. This trend has also been copied to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Structures that advocate such policies and correct the past are gaining more and more support. Denial of genocide and crimes has become a trend that attracts likes and support from citizens, as well as glorification and justification of crimes committed by one's own people. In a world where the truth is increasingly replaced by narratives that suit current interests, there is a real danger of revisionism. Think for a moment that we have learned nothing from history and past tragedies and crimes. However, this does not mean that we should stop repeating the truth, presenting arguments, fighting for the truth to prevail, because this is a key element against forgetting and, more importantly, against repeating the tragedy that Bosnia and Herzegovina has experienced. If it chooses the right path, the path of truth, reconciliation, understanding and forgiveness, Bosnia and Herzegovina could become an example for other countries and a role model for new generations. The task of older generations is to warn and educate future generations so that such things never happen to anyone again."



The opinions and insights expressed in this text reflect solely the views of the author. We publish these contributions to encourage reflection and open space for diverse perspectives on the topic of transgenerational memory in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.