Promotion of the book: "Serbs in Croatia - the path to preserving identity" - Zagreb
At the ninth consecutive History Festival – Kliofest , which takes place from 17 until 20 held in the National Library in Zagreb, the book “Serbs in Croatia – the path to preserving identity” was presented.
The authors of the book are Darko Gavrilović and Janko Veselinović. The book was published by the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation from Novi Sad and the Serbian National Council from Zagreb
The book was written as part of the project “Serbs in Croatia – the path to identity preservation” implemented by CHDR.
The project was realized with the support of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia.
Book: "Serbs in Croatia - the path to preserving identity"
The book presents a selection of works by two authors from the fifteen-year tradition of holding gatherings.Serbian-Croatian relations in the 20th century. century” in Golubić (Obrovac). The gatherings are organized by the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation and the Association for History, Cooperation and Reconciliation .
Numerous scientists, politicians, representatives of the media and the non-governmental sector participated in the Serbo-Croatian gatherings.
The presented works are the result of research by two authors regarding the possibilities of reconciliation between the two peoples, the normalization of political relations between Serbia and Croatia, and the strengthening of the policy of regional stability and reconciliation.
For the past 15 years, the authors have been making an effort to encourage life to be sustainable and fruitful in a local community such as the municipality of Obrovac. Along the way, they are actively overcoming ethnic divisions, while insisting on cooperation.
The authors came to different conclusions, but they all came together in one thing: how to preserve the identity of the Serbs in Croatia with full respect for the majority Croatian people and the Croatian state with its own sustainable economic and political development.
Presentation of the book in Zagreb
At the presentation of the book: “Serbs in Croatia – the path to preserving identity” in Zagreb, as part of Kliofest, the following spoke: the author of the book, prof. Dr. Darko Gavrilović and Prof. Dr. Davor Pauković.
On that occasion, Davor Pauković emphasized the extent to which the past century influenced contemporary Serbian-Croatian relations.
Among other things, he emphasized that after the establishment of relations in 1996, there was a dynamic of their development and advancement. The development of relations, according to him, was hindered by the right-wing parties in both countries for some time, but there was communication all the time. With the fact that Croatia was in an easier situation because its borders were resolved, and it is a member of the EU and NATO.
“Reconciliation is not a one-way process,” claimed Pauković, “and neither as nations nor as states we did not have a consensus. There is too much traumatic history in Croatian-Serbian relations. We need less history and more common topics related to cooperation.”
One of the two authors, Darko Gavrilović , pointed out that “the last century was marked by extremist ideologies. Due to their devastating effect, Serbs and Croats are still trying to heal their wounds today. Not only the wounds they inflicted on each other, but also the wounds they inflicted on their countrymen.”
“My texts, since I am a historian, talk about finding alternatives that can enable a peaceful and fruitful life in the region .” He pointed out that “the apologies that state leaders have sent to each other these years are important, but not enough for reconciliation.”
“The contacts of ordinary people are necessary for the process of reconciliation . A peaceful and mutually understanding life together. It is necessary to live in the present with respect for the other and to respect him as we respect ourselves. Do not search in the mines of the past for excuses for frustrations and hatred. If we hate, we will never realize ourselves as whole persons. Our wholeness does not come from evil, but from good, empathy and reciprocity. We don’t just show them the best of ourselves. We are already developing it just as well to unimagined limits that rest in regions where there are no conflicts that lead to wars. ”
Among the factors that can improve relations between two peoples and states, apart from the already mentioned political factors, Gavrilović counted: economy, media and religious communities. As well as an example of good cooperation and good relations between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
On that occasion, he concluded that together with the position of the Serbs in Croatia, the position of the Croats in Serbia should also be considered. Without the mutual progress of the Croatian community in Serbia and the Serbian community in Croatia , the policy of regional stability and reconciliation cannot be complete and therefore not successful.
