About the Project

LEGACY OF YUGOSLAVIA AND THE FUTURE OF THE REGION

This three-year (2019-21) project realized with the assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, is a natural follow-up of the YU-Historia project and practically follows in its footsteps and rationale.

The problem plaguing the entire post-Yugoslav region is the process of facing up the recent past: a complex, time-consuming and, above all, a trans-generational process. Therefore, 20 years after the end of Yugoslav wars regional reconciliation is still in embryo despite tons of factual information about the war well-documented not only by international but also national courts of successor states. On the other hand, the latter - still undergoing transformation and trying to consolidate themselves - have barely started working of value-based transformation of their societies, regardless of the point reached on their (proclaimed or attained) European course. New national identies are being built in each mostly on stereotypes and often on narratives about "victimized nations." Fabricated history narratives only play into the hands of mainstream national elites, ensuring populism, homogeanization and manipulation. This makes it possible for the war to continue through the culture of memory, including that of the entire 20th century and the once common state. On the other hand and despite mostly inadequate educational systems, new generations all over the region are raising questions about the common history, the life together, motives behind separation and the why's of Yugoslavia's bloody disintegration. As for the history of socialist Yugoslavia, with the exception of a handful of capital books on social, cultural and economic history of the time, the bulk of historiographic production offers nothing but multiplied descriptions from recycled archive funds in which key answers about Yugoslavia are buried.

The projects aims at contributing to regional normalization and building of a fact-based culture of memory through spreading solid and multi-perspective historical accounts and empowering younger, educated generations in promoting reconciliation, democratization and modernization on the entire post-Yugoslav territory.

Project activities include: 1. Establishment of a 5-member Editorial Board (outstanding historians from post-Yugoslav countries) to channel the project, discuss the progress made and decide, among other things, on topical accounts to be specifically focused on - years 1-3; 2. Online outreach to further enrich the existing bilingual portal (www.yuhistorija.com; so far having been visited by 10,200 people each day on average; statistics show that every month in 2017 the portal registered some 400,000 "readings" and 350,000 each month from the beginning of 2018) with new studies; 3. Online outreach in the form of Helsinki Bulletins - 3 analytical briefs (in B/C/S and English) touching on some of the new topics published at the portal but specifically focused on the present day and developments in the post-Yugoslav region, and carrying recommendations to national and international decision-makes - years 1-3; 4. Round tables at 7 national universities assembling students of history and humanities, and organized as thought-provoking and interactive events - years 1-3; 5. Two 7-day summer schools, each for some 20-25 senior and postgraduate students from all the 7 post-Yugoslav states, most probably to be organized in a village nearby Zadar (Croatia), and each "lectured" by 5 authorities in selected subject matters, classroom exchanges and moderation; production of 2 short documentaries showcasing summer schools, including inteviews with participants and lecturers; 6. Publishing and distribution (regional and international) of a follow-up multi-perspective historical account mirroring Yugoslavia's heritage in the post-Yugoslav region, advertised in 7 national magazines at least and launched wherever local/national stakeholders show interest in them.

Project products rely on authoritative, objective historians, scholars in humanities and other experts from all the 7 post-Yugoslav states, including all members of national intelligentsia committed to fact-based information.