This year, the Festival of Reconciliation continues the tradition in Novi Sad. Here in the city where the revolution started, which tells stories of togetherness, of reconciliation, understanding, and tolerance, this year the Festival of Reconciliation brings the theme of solidarity, caring for each other,r and the influence of such a great power on those who present themselves as great powers. The program takes place on May 29 and 30 at two locations (Zenit bookstore and the OPENS Youth Center), and includes a speech and art program.
On Thursday, May 29, from 6:00 p.m., at Zenit Bookstore (Njegoševa 24), you can expect a discussion about the book “Loss of Humanity”, authored by Dr. Dragan Popović. With a time distance of 30 years, the genocide in Srebrenica qualifies as research material for historiography and history as a science. The book “Loss of humanity – Srebrenica as a historical fact” by historian and activist Dragan Popović is based on relevant scientific sources, archival materials of the Hague-based domestic courts, media reports, and testimonies. It is the first such study published in Serbia by an authority with a reference. It invites the profession and the public to talk and reflect. About the book will speak: Dragan Popović, author, Nataša Govedarica, director of the Pro Peace organization, publisher of the book, Jovana Kolarić, sociologist and activist (TBC), and Milivoj Bešlin, PhD, historian (TBC).
On Friday, May 30, from 6 p.m., a panel awaits you: Solidarity as an ideological threat, also in the Zenit bookstore. Student protests initiated social change on many levels. While the fight against them is still going on, one of the biggest enemies of the regime in general, and especially the repressive one, appeared in society: solidarity. What is the strength of solidarity, and how does it fuel society? Why is it dangerous for the survival of social values based on autocracy and repression? They say on the stand: Bojana Maljevic, actress, Predrag Voštinić, activist, Dragana Prica Kovačević, journalist, Ivan Bjelic, journalist and activist, and Aaron Landsman, director. The moderator is professor and activist Jelena Kleut.
On the same day from 8:30 p.m. in the OPENS Youth Center (Despota Stefana Boulevard 5), you will be able to see the exhibition “Similarities and Differences”, which was created as part of the project “Further Development of Civil Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo”, Center for Regionalism from Novi Sad and Mother Teresa from Pristina. The exhibition was created through the lens of young activists from Novi Sad and Pristina.
This year’s edition of the festival ends with the play “My Country – What do young people think about patriotism?”, by Reflektor Teatar, which is shown at OPENS from 9 p.m. MY LAND is a play about how we made it. We studied history, which is not in textbooks. We went to places of remembrance, which were not marked. We talked with our families, opening up those topics that are never discussed during family lunches, because they spoil the appetite and even more so the atmosphere. We questioned university professors and scientific authorities to protect our grandparents from the same questions. With the same attention, we read wise books and stupid inscriptions on facades. We analyzed the media and looked for hidden messages in publicly spoken words. MY LAND is an educational play – because we made it while we were studying, MY LAND is a play about growing up – because we grew up while making it, MY LAND is a play about us, dedicated to our generation, MY LAND is a play about peace and justice, dedicated to all people who work for the first and believe in peace. Performance text: Milena Bogavac, director: Jelena Bogavac.
Source: Reflektorteatar.rs
The main goal of the Festival of Reconciliation is to encourage young people from the region to think critically about topics related to peace, reconciliation and interculturalism in the region, which are not often present in social discourse (or not in an adequate way), to create capacities for further action by creating interventions/programs/activities to promote reconciliation and strengthen participatory democracies in their environment.
Acknowledging war crimes is the duty of every political establishment that participated in the war. On this trail, the path to peace is hindered by the lack of objective consideration of the victims and consequences of war. Educating young people could be the key to creating a tolerant, democratic, and free society.
DARE TO CARE, SEE YOU AT THIS YEAR’S RECONCILIATION FESTIVAL!