Architetture della memoria divisa: i memoriali di Bogdan Bogdanović tra eredità e frammentazione / Architectures of divided memory: Bogdan Bogdanović's memorials between legacy and dissonance

Abstract

The contribution aims to offer a reflection on the complex process of heritage-making surrounding World War II memorials built in the former Yugoslavia, with particular attention to the work of Bogdan Bogdanović (1922–2010). The Serbian architect’s oeuvre provides a framework for understanding a phenomenon of considerable interest, not only for the intrinsic historical and cultural values of these monuments but also for the contemporary challenges of conservation and protection. The network of architectures, originally conceived under the ideal of Brotherhood and Unity, now lies fragmented among countries with deeply different systems of heritage preservation and theoretical approaches to restoration. The article presents an analysis of several case studies designed and realized by Bogdanović between the 1950s and the 1980s, focusing in particular on two countries – Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia – which in recent years have pursued distinct policies of conservation and restoration for these memorials. Through the examination of archival materials and the study of the design and construction processes, the research relates these aspects to the current state of conservation, heritage policies, and contemporary and future scenarios. The goal is to highlight how the dialogue between the homogeneity of the past and the heterogeneity of the present can foster reflections on future perspectives and on the commitment and role that academia and international experts may play in addressing this specific theme.