Musical commemorations and grand narratives: The case of the oratorio “Srebrenički Inferno” in post-genocide Bosnia

Abstract

In the last 20 years, Bosnia-Herzegovina has witnessed the creation of a grand narrative about the Srebrenica genocide. Affecting perceptions, renditions, and understandings of this event, this grand narrative promotes a specific meaning and interpretation of the war in Bosnia and of Bosniak suffering. Thanks to the grand narrative, particular tropes of the story of the Srebrenica genocide have come to the fore in its commemoration, also affecting the existing artistic memorial works. In this article, I trace the effects of the grand narrative on commemorative music dedicated to the Srebrenica genocide by focusing on the oratorio “Srebrenički Inferno.” By analyzing the oratorio in relation to the grand narrative, I argue that this musical piece is not only influenced by, but also helps to maintain and reinforce, this dominant story about the genocide that represents an important segment of politically advantageous official collective memory and history of the war and genocide among Bosniaks.