A War on Culture

Librarians, bookbinders, and bibliophiles prepare to cry.



Books, historical documents, and other important cultural elements were purposely destroyed during the war.





Books and libraries, including the national library of Bosnia-Hercegovina were set ablaze by the Serb military and paramilitary forces.



This is the state ofthe national library now. So sad, I couldn't believe it. This used to be such a beautiful building, and it housed some of the most precious relics and historical records of all South Slavic peoples, not just Bosnians.













Schools and places of learning and cultural exchange were also targetted. This is an elementary school that was destroyed in the war (again, on purpose!). I do not know if the children were inside at the time of the attacks, but I would not be suprised if they were. Attacks on children's schools and other gathering places for children were unfortunately typical of this conflict.