In the second episode of the “Balkan Perspective” podcast, we discuss the role of international courts in restoring peace in the Balkans after the conflicts of the 1990s. What impact have these institutions had in addressing war crimes and building trust among citizens? Are these courts perceived as a mechanism of justice by the affected communities?
Special attention is given to North Macedonia, analyzing the level of peace and inter-ethnic relations following the 2001 conflict. Our guest is Imer Selmani, a prominent political figure who has held significant positions throughout his career and has been a witness to key developments in the country.
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THE TESTIMONIES OF THE VICTIMS ARE AN IMPORTANT BASE FOR BUILDING BRIDGES AFTER 2001
In this episode of Transitional justice we open the topic of memorization and commemoration after the armed conflict. We invited Naum Trajanovski – a PhD from the University in Poland and a sociology researcher who was previously researching these topics. We talked about the importance of the memorization and commemoration after the conflict in Macedonia in 2001.
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Knowledge in different cultures and languages is the key stone in the peace building process
Interview with the polyglot Elvi Sidheri
In this episode of transitional justice we speak about the influence of the culture and its role on the process of reconciliation. What is the advantage of knowing different cultures or different languages? On these topics we talk with the polyglot Elvi Sidheri who speaks 15 different languages. Born in Tirana, currently lives in Prishtina and speaks every Balkan language. He has written several books and translated many big writers. These are his views on the topic and his personal story.
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Facing the Past: Healing and Reconciliation in the Balkans
The Balkans remain a region marked by a painful history of wars, conflicts, and ethnic divisions. In this conversation, we explored the psychological and social consequences of these events, and how societies can or should engage with their past to build a peaceful future. We discussed transitional justice, the importance of remembrance versus intentional forgetting, the role of forgiveness, and the challenges of interethnic dialogue. Questions were raised about how communities can heal, how individuals confront trauma, and whether reconciliation efforts—both local and international—can foster trust and collective identity after conflict.
