Waiting for Elijah: Time and Encounter in a Bosnian Landscape

Waiting for Elijah is a book that explores the complexities of time in a polarized landscape, focusing on the shared harvest feast of Elijah's Day and the return of communal life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Waiting for Elijah is an intimate portrait of time-reckoning, syncretism, and proximity in one of the world's most polarized landscapes, the Bosnian Field of Gacko. Centered on the shared harvest feast of Elijah's Day, the once eagerly awaited pinnacle of the annual cycle, the book shows how the fractured postwar landscape beckoned the return of communal life that entails such waiting. This seemingly paradoxical situation—waiting to wait—becomes a starting point for a broader discussion on the complexity of time set between cosmology, nationalism, and embodied memories of proximity.

In the heart of the Bosnian Field of Gacko, a place steeped in history and polarized by conflict, lies a profound exploration of time-reckoning, syncretism, and proximity. Through the lens of the shared harvest feast of Elijah's Day, once eagerly anticipated as the pinnacle of the annual cycle, the book delves into the intricate tapestry of a fractured postwar landscape that yearns for the revival of communal life. This paradoxical state—waiting to wait—becomes a catalyst for a broader discourse on the complexities of time, interweaving cosmology, nationalism, and embodied memories of proximity.

The book, Waiting for Elijah, weaves a captivating narrative that immerses readers in the rich tapestry of this unique landscape. It explores the ways in which the fractured postwar environment has created an environment ripe for the resurgence of communal practices and rituals. The shared harvest feast of Elijah's Day, once a symbol of unity and celebration, becomes a focal point for this revival, offering a glimpse into the deep-rooted desires of the people to reconnect with their past and forge a sense of belonging in the present.

As the book unfolds, it reveals the intricate interplay between cosmology, nationalism, and embodied memories of proximity. The author delves into the cosmological dimensions of time, exploring how the cyclical nature of seasons, the passage of years, and the vastness of the universe shape the way individuals perceive and experience time. Nationalism, too, plays a significant role, as the fractured postwar landscape becomes a battleground for the reclamation of identity and the assertion of cultural heritage. The embodied memories of proximity, on the other hand, emerge as a powerful force that bridges the gaps between individuals and communities, reminding them of the shared experiences and hardships that have shaped their lives.

Through the stories and experiences of the characters in the book, Waiting for Elijah offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of time and the human longing for connection and belonging. It challenges the notion of linear time and encourages readers to embrace the cyclical nature of life, recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and the potential for renewal and rebirth in the face of adversity. The book also raises important questions about the role of memory in shaping our understanding of the past and the future, and how the embodied experiences of proximity can help bridge the gaps between different cultures and communities.

In conclusion, Waiting for Elijah is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of time-reckoning, syncretism, and proximity in one of the world's most polarized landscapes. Through its intimate portrayal of the shared harvest feast of Elijah's Day, the book offers a profound reflection on the complexities of time and the human longing for connection and belonging. It challenges the notion of linear time and encourages readers to embrace the cyclical nature of life, recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and the potential for renewal and rebirth in the face of adversity. The book raises important questions about the role of memory in shaping our understanding of the past and the future, and how the embodied experiences of proximity can help bridge the gaps between different cultures and communities.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 228 x 186 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800732193