In the rugged and mountainous lands of the former Yugoslavia, a large number of bizarre monuments in the style of futurism stand as a reminder that the country no longer exists. Built between the 60s and 70s, these bold abstract sculptures are scattered throughout the former Yugoslavia, stretching from Croatia and Slovenia on the Adriatic coast to the rolling Republic of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finally into the gentle terrain of Serbia and Macedonia.
▼ Ostra Monument in Serbia. It was built to commemorate the 14 partisans who died in the area during World War II. ▼
© Photo by Sylvain Heraud
At the cost of huge casualties, the shadow of Soviet hegemony still hangs over the end of Nazi rule in Yugoslavia in 1945, but as an important force in the socialist camp and one of the initiators of the Non-Aligned Movement, former Yugoslav President Tito opposed any form of "colonialism, imperialism and neocolonialism" in those years. Therefore, Yugoslavia's pursuit of independence and resistance has made many monuments out of a style different from the Soviet Union.
Photographer Sylvain Heraud once stated, "The idea of my work is to highlight these monuments and ask if their message persists over time," "I wanted to move away from the concept of scale and size and focus on the monument itself as a symbol." I brought lights [to illuminate everywhere], and the white light kept me neutral. All the monuments in the photo are located in a green environment, and we can guess at the meaning of them at will. ”
▼ Kadinjača monument complex in Serbia. On September 23, 1979, Yugoslav President Tito personally presided over the unveiling ceremony. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ Sculpture of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sculpture was built in memory of the victims of the Battle of Sujeska and took a total of 7 years to build. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼In 1941, partisans gathered on Mount Kosmaj to plan a battle against the Axis powers, and a monument was built to commemorate this. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼Located in Slovenia. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ Serbian Crystal Flower Monument. It was built to commemorate the murder of hundreds of students and teachers by the Nazis. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
Between early 1942 and late 1944, a large number of Serbs, Jews, and Gypsies were killed by the Nazis near Niš, Serbia, and these three fist sculptures represent the victims of three ethnic groups. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
These modernist reinforced concrete plain structures were built near the site of the tragedy during World War II, and are all behemoths and very heavy, designed to achieve a strong visual effect. Since then, former Yugoslav President Tito, who was full of revolutionary spirit, led the multicultural society in an attempt to suppress the lingering hatred brought about by the war until his death in 1980. Josip Broz Tito hopes that through the memorial, people will realize that the war laid the foundation for the continued existence of the former Yugoslavia in its current form, rather than favouring one group in this pluralistic society. These monuments were designed to unite all in a common struggle for the construction of a great Yugoslavia.
▼ Croatian Dudik Memorial in Memory of Anti-Fascism ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ Bihac Monument in Galavice Memorial Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina to commemorate the victims caused by fascism 13 identical stone pillars symbolize the legendary Atlantis, stacked stones symbolize eternal sad memories in the fog▼ © Spomenik Database
▼ Croatian Stone Flower Monument, dedicated to the victims of the Jasenovac concentration camp. The camp was the only extermination camp not operated by Nazi Germany. Between 1941 and 1945, nearly 100,000 Serbs, Jews and Gypsies were murdered. ▼ ©Jasenovac: Auschwitz of the Balkans
▼ Kadinjača monument complex in Serbia. ▼ @Panacomp
However, on 27 April 1992, the Republic dissolved due to internal political turmoil and ultra-nationalism. Yugoslavia was replaced by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, consisting only of Serbia and Montenegro. In 1999, Yugoslavia completely disintegrated under civil strife and subsequent violent intervention by the United States-led NATO and bombing that lasted for three months. Despite the fall of Yugoslavia, these monuments were not demolished, but have been erected ever since, as a physical testimony to the country's resilience and history of struggle. The extraordinary monument erected in the former Yugoslavia celebrates the success of a more egalitarian, pluralistic, anti-hegemonic and united society free from hatred. Their presence is a reminder that this spirit will continue. Moreover, standing in the wilderness, they asked: How much progress has really been made in today's society?
Located in Podgarić, Croatia, this giant winged sculpture has a basement beneath the sculpture that houses the remains of hundreds of partisans who were treated in a nearby hospital. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ This monument is located in Sinj, Croatia, where many of the men who died were members of the Split Workers' Football Club. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ The monument is located on the Freedom Hill of Ilylska Bystrica, and there is a basement under the monument, which preserves the remains of 284 Yugoslav soldiers who liberated the area during World War II. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼In 1942, on the top of this hill in Novo Selo Palanječko, Croatia, 300 desperate Serbian peasants with pitchforks fought to the death of members of the Ustaše (Croatian independence movement), and this sculpture was built to commemorate them. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ Popina Monument in Serbia. It was built to commemorate a confrontation between partisans and Nazi German forces in Štulac, Serbia. The monument consists of three parts, strung together, like the barrel and the front sight ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ Makljen Monument in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1978, Yugoslav President Tito personally presided over the unveiling ceremony. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ Monument in Montenegro ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ The monument is located above a basement in Vogošća, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the names of 62 fallen partisans are engraved on the monument. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
▼ This is a 12-storey monument built to commemorate the Serbian revolt against Ustaše on Petershill. ▼ © Sylvain Heraud
Thus, as National Geographic writes: "Originally intended to usher in a utopian future, these monuments have survived the upheaval." Some people will see these monuments and can't help but miss that better era; Others see it as unspeakable painful memories. And this future is forged by common struggle, perseverance and tolerance, at great cost, and it should be sustained. Through these incredible monuments, visitors can get a glimpse into the glorious past of the former Yugoslavia. And, more calmly and deeply to understand the story behind it, and the essence and essence of the former Yugoslavia.
Resources:
Leviathan https://baike.baidu.com/tashuo/browse/content?id=cf48fae306a5a4c0630f30a0
Phoenix Finance https://finance.ifeng.com/a/20170903/15642090_0.shtml
LensCultural https://www.lensculture.com/articles/sylvain-heraud-les-symboles-invisibles