Identity politics doubled down: 2023 Sarajevo Pride in the crossfires of Bosnian public discourse

Identities. They shape who we are as individuals and as part of a larger whole. Throughout our lives, each of us embarks on a journey of self-discovery, looking for that true picture of our identity. Intertwining both collective and individual realms, identities shape our personal narratives and bind us to communities, cultural kinship, shared experiences and the very essence of our personal stories. Once found, our identities often urge us to contemplate how far we would go to safeguard our sense of self. What happens when our identity is attacked by someone else’s?

And there are places where these questions matter a “tad more” than in others, or at least are being treated in a different manner. Bosnia and Herzegovina is such a place. A country steeped in tradition and marked by complex dynamics, weaving a tapestry of rich history and diverse cultural heritage, has grappled with the intricate web of identity politics. Questions like “Who are you?” and “Where do you belong?” hold particular weight in the Bosnian post-conflict society.