(Re)Writing History in the Western Balkans
Dear Balkan.Perspectives Readers,
In previous editions, the Balkan.Perspectives editorial team has brought to your attention how and why history in the Western Balkans region is being contested, challenged, and instrumentalised. The (re)writing of history is not neutral, but rather a deliberate political process which seeks to establish realities and narratives and reflects the power relations at different periods in time. In this regard, historical revisionism and denial cannot solely be the normalisation of monoperspective historical narratives. Historical revisionism has the potential to build a substrate that challenges fundamental democratic achievements, revives authoritarian tendencies, and discredits initiatives that challenge an essentialist view on identities and societies through the instrumentalization of historical discourses. In such cases, the creation of a “WE” mutes voices in the process of a critical historization of a common past in favour of the creation of “THE OTHERS”.
Impresum ~ Issue. 15 - 12/2020
Editor in Chief: Alexander Vojvoda
Editorial Team: Sunita Dautbegović - Bošnjaković, Martin Filipovski, Srđan Hercigonja, Vjollca Islami Hajrullahu, Nehari Sharri
Authors: Milivoj Bešlin, Lejla Gačanica, Shkëlzen Gashi, Husnija Kamberović, Marko Krtolica, Sanja Petrović Todosijević, Arbër Salihu, Nataša Stamenkovikj
Design (Cover page): Envinion
Translation: LBG Communications (Albanian), Ivana Radović (BCS), Martina Kimovska (Macedonian)
Proofreading: LBG Communications (Albanian/English), Zinaida Lakić (BCS), Zanet Ristoska (Macedonian)
Balkan.Perspectives is a regional magazine focused on dealing with the past (DwP) in the western Balkans. Produced by forumZFD in four (4) languages, this is a collaborative effort between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia. The magazine provides a platform for local actors to support conflict-sensitive discourse on issues related to the recent past. By offering a plurality of perspectives on DwP topics from across the region, the magazine aims to challenge stereotypes and ethno-centric narratives, encourage critical thinking and wider debate, and strengthen constructive approaches to dealing with the recent past.
You can subscribe to the magazine electronically by sending an e-mail to balkan.perspectives@forumzfd.de.
We welcome and appreciate your opinions and feedback and hope you find it a valuable resource.