A JOURNEY OF INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY THROUGH A UNIQUE SYLLABUS
The “Balkan Meetings” project, promoted by the Giacomo Leopardi School of Advanced Studies, offers a high-level educational opportunity. The program focuses on the history of the twentieth century, with particular emphasis on the Balkan region, exploring the complex historical, cultural, and political dynamics that defined the end of the “short century.” The Balkan events, marked by recent conflicts, struggles over memory, and the reconstruction of identities, are at the heart of a journey that directly engages students through visits to significant locations such as Sarajevo, Mostar, Srebrenica, and Tuzla.
The program includes a field experience, with meetings with direct witnesses, local associations, and cooperatives, enabling students to gather meaningful testimonies and deepen their understanding of contemporary Balkan realities. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will participate in theatrical, photographic, and historical workshops, as well as meet with experts, historians, and professors from the universities of Sarajevo and Tuzla. The study trip is accompanied by preparatory activities and collective reflection sessions that help students comprehend the historical and social dynamics of the region.
The project will culminate in 2026, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the end of the siege of Sarajevo. Starting in 2025, July 11 will officially become the Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide. In this context, 50 students will take part in residential workshops in Srebrenica, where they will create a podcast and a documentary film in collaboration with experts such as Claudia Zini from Kuma International and filmmaker Ado Hasanović. The initiative promotes intercultural dialogue and reflection on historical memory, contributing to the building of a future based on peace and coexistence.
The initiative is carried out under the aegis of ASSI (Alleanza delle Scuole Superiori d’Ateneo) and with the financial support of DM MUR 231/2023.