Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book argues that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) monuments should be understood as three variations of negation: nationalist narratives that ignore and negate victims from the other side; rejection of collectivism; and revisionism of the history of socialism. It also argues that the socialist monuments from Yugoslavia continue to be an important marker in understanding the post-war monuments in BiH: because there are important continuities in forms of commemoration, and because of the equally important differences to understanding and capturing of historical experience and temporality. The book provides the historical, cultural and aesthetic context for the emergence of BiH post-war monuments after 1996, while expanding our understanding of monumental obsession in BiH. It contextualises the monumentalisation of history currently taking place in BiH within the narrative of post-socialist and post-conflict transition.