Bosnia: A Cultural History

Book Description
While the contemporary political history of Bosnia has been played out on television for international audiences, the complicated cultural basis for recent historical events remains largely unknown. Why did Bosnians who spoke the same language fracture along religious and ethnic lines? Is there a distinct Bosnian nation and Bosnian culture? What does it mean to be Bosnian if one is Serbian or Croatian? And what does the future hold for artistic and intellectual life in Bosnia? In Bosnia: A Cultural History, Ivan Lovrenovic provides a complex and detailed account of Bosnian history from a unique and often overlooked perspective. Focusing on the changes in religious, cultural, and ethnic influences from Paleolithic times to the present, Lovrenovic's analysis probes deep into the Bosnian past and helps to enlighten the reader as to the present and potential future of this troubled land. The evolution of the Bosnian Church dictinct from the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, the role of Islam and Judaism, religious and secular architecture, ancient and modern prose and poetry, music, radio, film and television are all discussed to offer a comprehensive portrait of Bosnian culture.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Serbo-Croation

About the Author
Ivan Lovrenovic is one of Bosnia's most prominent intellectuals and writers. He is the former editor of the literary magazine Odjek and is currently chief editor of Svjetlost, one of the leading publishers in the Balkans.


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Prominent Bosnian writer and editor Lovernovi offers a portrait of his country's geography, politics, history, culture, and poetics. His account stretches from palaeolithic times to the aftermath of the 1992-95 war. Unutarnja Zemlja: kratki preled kulturne povijesti Bosne i Hercegovine (Inner Land: A Short Survey of the Cultural History of Bosnia-Herzegovina) was published in 1998 by Durieux in Zagreb, and translated by the London-based Bosnian Institute from a version by Sonja Wild Bicani. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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