Book Presentation and Discussion

Documenting „Massacres in Kosovo 1998-99“ – a step towards reconciliation?

The war in Kosovo was one of the last conflicts of the Yugoslav secession wars which were the first major armed confrontation in Europe since World War II. To this day, thousands of victims remain missing, the scars of war are still deeply felt and strain Serb-Kosovo relations.

In a fact-finding mission, political scientist Shkelzen Gashi has meticulously documented 83 atrocities, uncovering new or revised details about the victims, perpetrators, and the pursuit of justice, culminating in his new book "Massacres in Kosovo 1998-99."

Can books contribute to reconciliation? We want to take a look back to assess how far society has come in coming to terms with the past. Because today there is often a lack of critical examination of the situation at that time and also a lack of dialogue. Taboos and rifts on both sides need to be overcome. What is the experience with transitional justice? What are the prospects for reconciliation? And how do current memory policies challenge these prospects?

Join us for a discussion with 

  • Shkelzen Gashi, author, Prishtina
  • Ivana Nikolic, Research Coordinator, Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), Belgrade 
  • Robert Pichler, historian, University of Vienna

Moderated by Michael Martens, journalist, The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ)

With a welcome note by Ambassador Dr. Faruk Ajeti, ambassador of Kosovo in Berlin.

The event will be held in English only, without translation. 

Please register in advance. Unfortunately, the number of seats for this event are limited. If we are at capacity, the conversation will be transmitted via video to other rooms.

Am 05.03.2025, 19:00 h

Venue: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung - Headquarter Berlin Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin

In cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation.