Serbian-Croatian relations: Dominant state narratives and culture of memory in Croatia and Serbia – Golubić 2018

The international scientific conference on "Serbian-Croatian relations" was held for the eleventh time in Golubić, in the period from 20 until the 25th August 2018 years. The Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation from Novi Sad (Serbia) and the Association for History, Cooperation and Reconciliation from Obrovac (Croatia) were also this time the organizers of the meeting.

"Serbian-Croatian relations - dominant state narratives and the culture of memory"

On the traditional 11 At the gathering of scientists and politicians “Serbian-Croatian relations” in Golubić (Obrovac), the gathered historians discussed and reached conclusions regarding the dominant state narratives and the culture of memory in Croatia and Serbia . It was discussed how political elites use state narratives for daily political purposes.

The gathering was organized by the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation from Novi Sad (Serbia) and the Association for History, Cooperation and Reconciliation from Obrovac (Croatia).

On this occasion, we single out several recommendations of the gathered historians, which are related to the establishment of better political relations in the region , consolidation of democratization and strengthening of cooperation between the two countries:

Davor Pauković (University of Dubrovnik): “The hyperproduction of public discourse that manipulates the past especially for daily political purposes is wrong. Unfortunately, Croatian-Serbian relations serve exclusively to maintain enmity in the region. What we historians can do is to commemorate the past in as objective a way as possible, and not to let the commemoration serve only to see a partial history that serves to spread hatred.”

Bruno Vignjević (RI-portal): “The media must not insist on sensationalism when it comes to traumatic events.” In this sense, we must demand and encourage affirmative media content in terms of dealing with the past. That’s why we need to encourage a culture of remembrance that is tolerant and that sympathizes with the victim of the other side, and that doesn’t only see its own side.”

Darko Gavrilović (University of Novi Sad): “Narratives that incite hatred that exclude people from society should be marginalized. It is necessary to ensure such a government structure that has the capacity to develop a strategy of partnership relations in the region. Such a government would certainly not persecute those journalists and media who have a critical attitude towards the government. On the other hand, the language used by the media in the service of autocrats is a language that should disappear because it keeps alive the ignorance of the people that in wars none of the warring parties wins, only death. Their narratives and the “non-culture” of memories that mobilize the armies of the dead from the wars of the 20th century. 20th century are the signposts of the masses to the hatch where hatred, disease and death swirl.”

Policy of regional stability and reconciliation

The gathered scientists, journalists and politicians made the following recommendations related to the conduct of the regional reconciliation policy:

  • It is necessary to marginalize narratives that incite hatred that leads to the exclusion of people from society;
  • It is necessary to ensure such a government structure that has the capacity to develop a strategy of partnership relations in the region;
  • The hyperproduction of public discourse that manipulates the past especially for daily political purposes is wrong;
  • The media must not insist on sensationalism when it comes to traumatic events;
  • Affirmative media content in terms of dealing with the past should be encouraged;
  • Work to foster a culture of remembrance that is tolerant and empathetic to the victim of the other side, and that does not see only its own side.

Scientific papers from the conference in PDF format:

The latest: