Friends Torn by Enemy Lines

The best way to understand the living and social environment of Bosnia is through the eyes of those who witness it.  Dragan is one of those witnesses. He was 20 years old when the war began. He recalled how before the war no one practiced religion publically and ethnic/religious differences were not as important. In fact though he is Orthodox, one of his best friend, Sam, was Muslim. They lived closed by to one another and grew up together sharing and exchanging secrets as well as gaining standing invitations to one another’s homes, even on religious holidays. Dragan would go over his friend Sam’s home for Ramadan and Sam would come over Dragan’s for Christmas. Everyone coexisted happily with one another until war came and drew dividing lines. Serbians ruled the territory where they lived so when the war broke out many Muslims were being targeted and attacked so Dragan help hide Sam; he even managed to help him cross the border to a Muslim community where he would be safe.  Dragan tried to stay in touch with Sam despite the animosity that grew between the two groups. But the war’s influence and all its hateful propaganda became too strong and the friends that were ones considered brothers became enemies of war.

Their paths crossed after the war. Dragan ran into Sam on his way out of the municipality. Sam was with a group of friends. When Dragan tried to approach him to say hello, Sam and his friends attacked him. Sam accused Dragan of being responsible for the death of his brother. Their friendship was no longer significant. The bond that was once so greatly valued was replaced by their ethnic titles. Past relationships and experiences were no longer held importance. Identity defined whether someone was a friend or a foe.

Brewery

Beer in Sarajevo is more for the tourist then the natives. The town is predominately Muslim and they don’t believe in the consumption of alcohol. However, this does not stop people from dabbling in the business for there is a brewery in the very city. Although they have a potential to make large quantities of alcohol they never function at such capacity since the demand isn’t very high. During Ramadan they cut their production by over fifty percent. Because of its low demand, the brewery also uses its facility for the bottling of water. In fact it was the same very brewery that served as Sarajevo’s main supply for water when the war took place.

The Walls Speak for Themselves

When I arrived at Sarajevo, Bosnia it was looking at a collage of “Then and Now.” New glass skyscrapers are found next to grey cement deteriorating buildings that still have holes and fragments blown apart from the bombings during the war. It was an interesting mash up and scenery.  You can walk around the streets and look at the buildings or structures and know a bit of its history. It is a perfect depiction of what is going on in the country. A town trying to move forward but is filled with so much tragedy that it is stuck in a middle of its future and its past.

The U.S Goal for Bosnia

The American Embassy in Bosnia has been quietly assisting Bosnia into stability though youth and community programs. Reaching out to its youth to educate them on democracy through exchange programs to the United States so that they can see how the system works and its effectiveness on a nation. They also have English language classes within the community as a form to unite different ethnic groups so that they may be able to see each other as people and not as enemies. They are also hoping to the Bosnian government reaches some consensus and joins the European Union as well as become part of NATO forces.

            In order for  Bosnia to reach this stage, it must be able to unite its people under one government. Instead of each ethnic group having their own government representatives they must come into an equal consensus of what their government should look like. The longer they cling to their individual ideas and different systems, the longer and harder it will be for Bosnia to reach stability and progress as a nation. 

The Conflict in Categorizing

I've always  believed religion should be a choice based   on personal preference.  Sadly,  people in the Balkans don't have that luxury for they use religion as a main form of identification. The people in this area are so interconnected, mobilizing from one country to the other, it is almost impossible to know who is who. in fact identification has been such a pressing matter that their are regulations one must follow to answer a question as simple  as "where are you from?" 

The location of your birth means nothing; the  language you speak says nothing; the shade of your skin tells nothing. who you are as a person coms down to your religious beliefs.  If you are muslim then you must be Bosniak.  If you are catholic then you are a Croat, and if you are Orthodox then you are a Serb.  Conversion of religion is not a simple process nor is it an easy choice. to many it means turning your back on your people and the dignity of your family.  Religion in the Balkans is inherited not chosen.  Forcing people to stick to a faith that they may not believe in personally.  

I wonder if being cheated out of a choice worth having a label? Shouldn't identity be a defined individually or is society  so anal that they must put everyone in a  neatly labeled in a box?

Past's Price

During our tour it was interesting how much there is a devotion to preserve.  Most people would be quick to try and forget the past but here they treasure as a reminder of their struggle and a way to commemorate all the lives that were list along the way.  Even when the Cathedral church went under renovation they made sure the wall that had been damage by explosion remain.  Artist marked sidewalks in red in places were bombing occurred now known as red roses. There is also trend of repurposing buildings so despite the lack of need to   Along with commemorating the past comes feelings of resentment.  A hand sign with your three fingers up was used as Serbian form of salutation, so it is not advised since it can bring a negative response or reaction to natives. There is an exception, however and that is if one uses the sign for its original purpose to signify the holy trinity, which is nicely represented in the Cathedral of Jesus' Sacred Heart by a statue of Jesus lifting his three fingers up. Bosnia’s ability to not only embrace their past but commemorate it is admirable.