THE LESSON OF SERBIA in being on the side of the "Winners".

"Serbian Pride"

Artwork by Sarah Savic Kallesoe

July 28, 2010

 

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"You shall read that we are commanded to

forgive our enemies;

but you never read that we are commanded to

forgive our friends."

—Cosimo I de’ Medici, d. 1574 (attributed)

 

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 Image of American and British Flags joined together courtesy of:
Imgarcade.com

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"Writing on the Balkans has often failed to command a large general audience for the simple reason that it does not bring out the larger lessons in the stories of a group of unhappy countries in southeastern Europe. But a country like Serbia must be seen not merely as a product of its own environment, but understood in the abstract — that is, as a country that has demonstrated the very best and very worst in humanity itself and the fight for ideals. No book that merely recounts a record of gruesome civil wars, ethnic violence, and trials and tribulations will command a large audience. But any book that investigates what it means for a country to have once upon a time taken the side of the winning team at the expense of its own existence deserves a wide readership. That is the story of Serbia, and it is a lesson confined to no region and no border or periphery, but one that is universal and eternal."
 

 From the Preface by
Marcia Christoff Kurapovna
to her book:

Shadows on the Mountain -

The Allies, the Resistance, and the

Rivalries that Doomed WWII Yugoslavia.


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If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra,
please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com

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