A Photographic Exploration of the Bosniak Community in Southwestern Serbia - Ongoing project
The Bosniak population in southern Serbia has a complex history, with various waves of migration and settlement over time. Some Bosniaks have lived in southern Serbia for centuries, with their roots dating back to the Ottoman Empire's rule in the region. Others arrived more recently, as refugees and displaced persons fleeing the wars in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s.In the aftermath of the Balkan wars and the dissolution of Yugoslavia, many Bosniaks were forced to flee their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to violence and ethnic cleansing. Some of these refugees found temporary shelter in southern Serbia, and a portion of them have since decided to stay and build new lives in the region.This project will explore and document the lives of the Bosniak community, one of the largest minorities in Serbia, located predominantly in the underdeveloped southern region. The Bosniak community faces discrimination and marginalization in predominantly Orthodox Christian country. They were often excluded from political and economic power structures and were subject to negative stereotypes and biases. In recent years, there have been efforts to address this discrimination and promote greater inclusion and acceptance of the Bosniak community in Serbia. However, discrimination and marginalization still exist, and there is a need for ongoing efforts to promote greater understanding, respect, and inclusion.The project aims to provide greater visibility and recognition to the Bosniak community's identity, culture, and history, which has been underrepresented and often ignored in mainstream Serbian society. Using photography as a medium, my aim is to raise awareness of the challenges they face and change the negative stereotypes that many people in Serbia have of Bosniaks. Furthermore, the project aims to create a positive impact by promoting greater understanding and acceptance of Bosniaks in Serbia, and to create an opportunity for the community to showcase their unique identity and heritage.
The Bosniak population in southern Serbia has a complex history, with various waves of migration and settlement over time. Some Bosniaks have lived in southern Serbia for centuries, with their roots dating back to the Ottoman Empire's rule in the region. Others arrived more recently, as refugees and displaced persons fleeing the wars in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s.In the aftermath of the Balkan wars and the dissolution of Yugoslavia, many Bosniaks were forced to flee their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to violence and ethnic cleansing. Some of these refugees found temporary shelter in southern Serbia, and a portion of them have since decided to stay and build new lives in the region.This project will explore and document the lives of the Bosniak community, one of the largest minorities in Serbia, located predominantly in the underdeveloped southern region. The Bosniak community faces discrimination and marginalization in predominantly Orthodox Christian country. They were often excluded from political and economic power structures and were subject to negative stereotypes and biases. In recent years, there have been efforts to address this discrimination and promote greater inclusion and acceptance of the Bosniak community in Serbia. However, discrimination and marginalization still exist, and there is a need for ongoing efforts to promote greater understanding, respect, and inclusion.The project aims to provide greater visibility and recognition to the Bosniak community's identity, culture, and history, which has been underrepresented and often ignored in mainstream Serbian society. Using photography as a medium, my aim is to raise awareness of the challenges they face and change the negative stereotypes that many people in Serbia have of Bosniaks. Furthermore, the project aims to create a positive impact by promoting greater understanding and acceptance of Bosniaks in Serbia, and to create an opportunity for the community to showcase their unique identity and heritage.
