The official launch of Unforgetting and the Politics of Representation: Voices from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the new book by Professor Tatjana Takseva (Saint Mary’s University, Canada), took place in Sarajevo from November 11–13, 2025. The three-day event was organized and hosted by the Association Forgotten Children of War, bringing together survivors, activists, researchers, and members of the academic community.
Professor Takseva was joined by Ajna Jusić, President of the Association Forgotten Children of War, as well as by several research participants whose first-person narratives appear in the book. Their involvement underscored the profound collaborative nature of the project and highlighted the courage of survivors who chose to share their lived experiences.
Academic Talks and Public Engagement
As part of the launch program, Professor Takseva delivered guest lectures at the University of Sarajevo and International Burch University. Her talks opened space for interdisciplinary dialogue on traumatic experiences, collective identity in post-conflict settings, and the role of dialogue in peacebuilding processes.
Special focus was devoted to the experiences of children born of war, specifically those born as a result of wartime sexual violence—a topic that continues to require greater academic, social, and institutional attention.
The discussions with local faculty and students were deeply meaningful, reaffirming the importance of creating environments where young people and community members can critically reflect on issues shaping contemporary civil society.
Voices from the Community
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Ajna Jusić emphasized:
“This event highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue between the academic community, civil society, and survivors as a key element in understanding and building social justice in post-conflict settings.”
About the Book
Professor Takseva’s book draws on years of in-depth research exploring the political significance of traumatic experiences and the power of survivor narratives following armed conflict. By centering voices from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Unforgetting and the Politics of Representation contributes to ongoing conversations about memory, justice, and representation in post-conflict societies.