War Criminal Awarded Literary Prize? Welcome to the Balkan Circus!
A Shocking Scandal Rocking the Literary World
Can you believe it? Radovan Karadžić, a convicted war criminal responsible for horrific atrocities, was awarded the Risto Ratković literary prize back in 1994! Yes, you read that right. This prize, meant to honor literary talent and cultural contribution, was given to a man condemned for crimes against humanity. To add insult to injury, previous laureates like Jevrem Brković and Sreten Perović renounced their awards for the very same reason.
Civic Initiatives Demand Justice
Once this disgraceful fact came to light, two initiatives were sent to institutions in Bijelo Polje demanding the revocation of Karadžić’s award. On June 26, a group of NGOs and civic activists took the lead, followed by a similar initiative from the local committee of the Bosniak Party the very next day.
How Did This Happen?
The Risto Ratković prize is awarded during the Ratković Poetry Evenings festival in Bijelo Polje. Although Karadžić’s award dates back nearly three decades, the fact that it was never revoked until now is causing outrage and disbelief.
Reactions and Fallout
The call to strip Karadžić of the prize has garnered widespread support, but also faces resistance from those who try to downplay or ignore the issue. This case highlights how difficult it is to confront the past and how crucial it is for institutions and society to stand firm against glorifying war criminals.
Why Does This Matter?
Awarding a literary prize to a war criminal is not just a mistake — it’s an insult to victims, culture, and common sense. If we want to build a society based on justice and truth, such things must be loudly and clearly condemned and corrected.
Conclusion
This scandal is a wake-up call for all of us. Will we let this happen again? Or will we stand on the side of justice and culture? Got thoughts? Don’t be shy — maybe your comment will spark the change we desperately need!
Initiatives to revoke Radovan Karadžić’s Risto Ratković prize are underway. Will justice finally be served?
