Summary
The article discusses a book by Vjosa Musliu about the 1998-1999 Kosovo war and the efforts of international organizations to promote peace between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. It highlights a particular workshop exercise using the story of Little Red Riding Hood to illustrate different perspectives. The article also touches on the challenges of promoting peace when considering the deep trauma experienced by those affected by the war.
Key Facts
- Vjosa Musliu wrote a book titled "Girlhood at War" about her experiences during the Kosovo war.
- After the war, international groups held workshops for Serbs and Albanians on reconciliation and peacebuilding.
- A workshop used the story of Little Red Riding Hood to show different perspectives on conflict.
- Musliu found it hard to relate the story to the purpose of reconciliation.
- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) organized similar workshops in recent years.
- The workshops aimed to teach dialogue and peacemaking to young people from Kosovo and Serbia.
- Participants shared personal and often traumatic stories, highlighting the emotional depth of the conflict.
- Over 8,000 ethnic Albanian civilians were killed or went missing, and over 20,000 were subjected to sexual violence during the Kosovo war.
