ABSTRACT
Historical revisionism and nationalism of BiH monuments are not simply about altering historical facts or about normalising certain forms of remembrance, but also about depoliticisation of history into a contest between different nationalist interpretations. This chapter contextualises the monumentalisation of history in BiH within the narrative of post-socialist and post-conflict transition. It provides the first step in this process by examining the critical framework that has been used to understand the proliferation of monuments in BiH after 1996. The chapter draws parallels between the way in which the outbreak of war in the former Yugoslavia was interpreted along reductive lines, and the way in which understanding of post-war monuments continues this approach. It turns towards critiques of nationalism in BiH monuments and examines the tacit assumptions behind their use of counter-monumentality. The chapter argues that these assumptions reflect the general perception of BiH as a transitional post-conflict society on a journey towards democracy.
