30 Apr Third Event Held for the Regional Multimedia Program Not a Fairy Tale But…
On Tuesday, April 28th, the KROKODIL Center hosted the third consecutive event within the regional multimedia program Not a Fairy Tale But…, which focuses on women’s peace activism during the 1990s.
The event included a panel discussion, and before and after the conversation, visitors also had the opportunity to view an audio-visual and textual installation showcasing some of the most striking quotes from banners at peace demonstrations in the 90s, Lepa Mlađenović’s Manifesto of the Politics of Women’s Solidarity, as well as the previously published stories from the first, second, and third chapters.
Participating in the discussion were the collaborators of the third chapter titled Not a Fairy Tale But… It Has Forest Fairies: Nađa Bobičić, author of the third chapter’s stories; Marijana Stojičić, sociologist, researcher, feminist, and peace activist; and Adriana Zaharijević, philosopher and expert in feminist theory, political philosophy, and social history. The conversation was moderated by the project’s editor, Milena Berić.
The focus of the conversation was on the pacifist engagement of women in Montenegro, primarily the women of Kotor who gathered in a self-organized anti-war group that would eventually grow into Anima – Center for Women’s and Peace Education. They bravely opposed the war and organized various peace actions despite the lack of majority support and a general social climate that favored a militaristic approach.
In this context, the figure of Borka Pavićević is particularly important—the famous activist from Kotor, who through her engagement followed the course of events in Yugoslavia, from the ’68 student protests to the feminist peace protests of the 1990s and beyond. The speakers emphasized the principles of her struggle, which combines the traditional-patriotic with the progressive—something that eludes all political abuse. This combination seems particularly relevant today, when progressive movements are threatened by exactly this kind of influence.
As Nađa pointed out, women’s peace engagement in Kotor, very similar to that of the 90s, was also present in the 1940s, highlighting its historical continuity. In that sense, the speakers reminded the audience of one of the fundamental postulates of feminist engagement: naivety as a political choice. Despite the feeling that history is repeating itself and that wars were inevitable, they chose to be “naive,” engaging for a different turn of events.
We invite you to read and/or listen to the published stories from the first, second, and third chapters on krokodil.rs, and to follow us for the continuation of Not a Fairy Tale But…. Follow us as well for announcements regarding upcoming events in the following months in Zagreb and at the KROKODIL Festival.
This project is funded by the UK International Development program and is implemented in partnership with the British Council.
Photo: Marija Piroški
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