The Burden of Traumascapes: Discourses of Remembering in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Beyond

The Burden of Traumascapes explores how the memory and narratives of the Bosnian War convey and renegotiate historical acts of violence in ordinary, banal ways, extending the war into the present day. It argues that discourses of remembering stem from personal and collective needs to follow moral orders and responsibility, as well as political, pedagogical, and economic demands.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Burden of Traumascapes delves into the diverse linguistic and semiotic practices employed in the construction of war memory, shedding light on the discourses of remembering that permeate the daily lives of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Through her exploration, Maida Kosatica uncovers how the memory and narratives surrounding the Bosnian War (1992-5) convey and reinterpret historical acts of violence in remarkably ordinary and banal ways, extending the war's impact into the present day. By reintroducing the concept of traumascapes, this book demonstrates that semiotic landscapes are deeply marked by the traumatic legacies of violence, where the sense of trauma finds its meaning through the discourses of remembering. In this context, the book argues that discourses of remembering, whether constructed in physical or virtual spaces, arise from a combination of personal and collective needs to uphold moral orders and responsibilities, as well as political, pedagogical, and economic demands.

The Burden of Traumascapes offers a comprehensive analysis of the ways in which language and symbols shape the collective memory of war. Kosatica examines the various narratives and symbols associated with the Bosnian War, including monuments, memorials, and cultural artifacts, and explores how they contribute to the construction of a shared memory of the conflict. She argues that these narratives and symbols serve as powerful tools for both survivors and perpetrators of violence to negotiate their memories and understandings of the war.

Furthermore, The Burden of Traumascapes explores the role of language in the perpetuation of trauma and the healing process. Kosatica examines how language can be used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and narratives about war, as well as how it can be used to promote empathy and understanding. She highlights the importance of language in the process of reconciliation and healing, and suggests that language can play a crucial role in rebuilding communities after conflict.

In conclusion, The Burden of Traumascapes is a groundbreaking work that offers a profound understanding of the complex relationship between language, memory, and trauma. Through her meticulous analysis, Kosatica provides a valuable contribution to the field of war studies and sheds light on the ways in which language and symbols shape the collective memory of war. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the long-term impacts of conflict and the role of language in promoting peace and reconciliation.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350341708