IN RETROSPECT - International Conference, 1-2 July 2017, Novi Sad, Serbia
Inter Alia and Vojvodina Civic Centre helda 2-day conference on the role of media, public opinion and EU policyduring the ex-Yugoslavia conflicts. The conference was organized in the framework of the “In Retrospect”project. “In Retrospect” aims at exploring core European values through activities of remembrance and collective reflection and is implemented by 7 partners, 3 from "old" EU member states (Greece, Germany, Belgium ) with active involvement in Yugoslav conflicts and 4 Western Balkan countries (FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia & Bosnia & Herzegovina).
Journalists, artists, activists and politicians, were among the key speakers of the conference reflecting upon the processes of building participative culture of remembrance in post conflict societies in the territory of former Yugoslavia.
During the conference, preliminary findings of “In Retrospect”were presented. Τhe documentary movie“In Retrospect” aiming tocapture memories and perceptions of European citizens from the war period and its representation by national media was publicly screenedfor the first time. A vivid discussionon the movie’s methodology, approach, content and thematic followed between the audience and Inter Alia’sNikos Papakostas (project manager) and Nikos Pasamitros (script writer). Moreover, three syntheses made of European newspapers’ front covers during critical instances of the Yugoslav wars (Dayton Peace Agreement, Srebrenica Genocide, NATO Bombing of Belgrade) were presented. Finally, preliminary findings of the daily newspapers’ archive that was created in all project countries was shared.
From an artistic perspective, emotions and memories were evoked thanks to the photo exhibition “Lično” (“Personal”) of the artist VelijaHasanbegović. The exhibition contained black and white portraits of people who were victims in Ex-Yugoslav war and became peace heroes.
More than 100 people, media workers, activists, artists, students and many friends engaged with the Balkans and the Yugoslav wars had the opportunity to attend interesting debates and discuss with experts on the topic.
The Programme:
Day 1
In Retrospect panel
Speakers:
-BorkaPavićević, Center for cultural decontamination
-Nina Čolović, researcher of the Serb National Council Archive
-Marina Fratucan, journalist
Moderator: DanicaVučenić, journalist
Movie screening of the documentary movie “In Retrospect”
Discussion after the screening with Nikos Papakostas & Nikos Pasamitros, co-founders of Inter Alia
Day 2
In Retrospect panel “Do they really care about us”
Speakers:
-MarinikaTepić, National Assembly Deputy speaker
-EugenJakovčić, Dokumenta
-AleksandarSimurdić, Team Europe expert at The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
-Ivan Đurić, Youth initiative of human rights
Moderator: NedimSejdinović, Executive director of Independent Journalists Association of Vojvodina
In Retrospect panel “Who is hiding the facts”
Speakers:
-NemanjaStjepanović, Humanitarian Law Center
-UglješaVuković, Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina
-ŽarkaRadoja, journalist of the Kontrapress
Moderator: Željko Stanetić, executive director of the VojvodinaCivic Centre
Photo exhibition “Lično” / “Personal”
Bosnian photographer VelijaHasanbegović
In Retrospect panel “Through artistic praxis”
Speakers:
-NihadKreševljaković, director
-VelijaHasanbegović, photographer and author of the photo exhibition
-ŽeljkaHorvatČeč, writer
Moderator: BojanKrivokapić, writer