The role of cultural heritage in the process of reconciliation between Serbia and Croatia. Cases studies: Vukovar, Knin and Gospic.

Abstract

This thesis examines the process of reconciliation between Serbia and Croatia in the period after the Homeland War through cultural policies and cultural management in contemporary Croatia. The aim of this thesis is to show how collective memory and ethnic identity are created through reconstruction of cultural heritage and how this process influences the process of reconciliation. Using as case studies cultural heritage of Vukovar, Knin and Gospic, this thesis explains how cultural heritage in once self-proclaimed Republic of Serb Krajina was managed under Serb control and under Croat control once the territory was reintegrated to Independent Croatia.