On Friday, 16th and Saturday, 17th October 2026, an international academic and expert conference entitled ‘ (Un)wanted Historical Figures – Between Memory, Oblivion and Appropriation”, organised as part of the project Bridges of Cooperation – A Platform for Dialogue and Understanding.
The conference was co-organised by the Institute for Migration Research (TAGIRATI) in Zagreb, the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Ljubljana, the Serbian National Council and the Slovenian House KPD Bazovica (TAGIRATI).
The opening debate on the situation of national minorities, intercultural dialogue and coexistence attracted particular attention, with representatives from political life and national minorities in Croatia also taking part. Among them were members of the Croatian Parliament Armin Hodžić and Marin Corva, the President of the Serbian National Council Boris Milošević and the Vice-President of the Council for National Minorities of the Republic of Croatia Milan Vukelić.
Their participation further emphasised the importance of bringing together academic research, minority communities and political institutions in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and an inclusive society.
Participants discussed various ways of representing historical figures in collective memory, their inclusion in national historical narratives, and issues of memory, forgetting, appropriation and the recognition of their historical significance.
The Institute for Ethnic Studies was represented at the conference by Dr Barbara Riman and Dr Damir Josipovič.
The conference provided an opportunity to exchange research perspectives, discuss relations between majority and minority communities, and reflect on the importance of cross-border cooperation in researching shared history and cultural heritage.
