Preserving places of memory where mass executions took place during the Croatian War of Independence (1991~1995) | Očuvanje mjesta sjećanja na kojima su se dogodila masovna stratišta tijekom Domovinskog rata (1991.~1995.)
Preserving places of memory where mass executions took place during the Croatian War of Independence (1991~1995) is of utmost importance for honoring the victims, providing a historical record, and fostering a collective commitment to preventing future atrocities. These sites serve as tangible reminders of the horrors and human cost of the conflict, ensuring that the memory of those who perished remains alive and that their stories are never forgotten.
Preservation efforts involve various elements, including memorialization, commemoration, and educational initiatives. Memorial sites are established to honor the victims and provide a space for reflection, remembrance, and paying respects. These sites often include monuments, plaques, or symbolic structures that serve as permanent reminders of the tragic events that took place there.
Commemorative events, such as annual ceremonies, bring together survivors, families of the victims, and the wider community to honor and remember the lives lost. These events provide an opportunity for healing, solidarity, and reflection, fostering a sense of collective memory and understanding.
Educational initiatives play a vital role in preserving the memory of these sites. Through educational programs, workshops, and guided tours, the historical significance of these places is shared with younger generations. By learning about the atrocities that occurred, future generations gain an understanding of the consequences of hatred and violence, and are encouraged to work towards a more peaceful and inclusive society.
Preserving places of memory also involves documenting testimonies and collecting artifacts and archival materials related to the mass executions. These resources provide valuable historical evidence and contribute to the understanding of the events that took place.
Preserving places of memory where mass executions occurred during the Croatian War of Independence is essential for upholding the values of truth, justice, and remembrance. These sites serve as powerful reminders of the need to prevent such atrocities in the future and to promote a society based on peace, tolerance, and respect for human rights. By preserving and honoring these places, societies can strive towards reconciliation, healing, and a commitment to building a better and more compassionate world.
MEMORIAL HOME OVČARA
Ovčara farm is the site of the largest war crime committed during the Croatian War of Independence. The hangar, which served as a warehouse for agricultural machinery in peacetime, was transformed into a concentration camp for non-Serbs from Vukovar and the surrounding area in September 1991. More than 260 Croatian soldiers and civilians were brought to the hangar on November 20 from the Vukovar hospital and killed. Today, at the site of the former hangar, is the Memorial Home Ovčara, forever preserving the memory of the wounded and civilians taken from the Vukovar hospital, imprisoned, tortured, executed and buried in a mass grave.
Source: Memorial Centre of the Homeland War Vukovar, Croatia
MONUMENT-MARKER OF THE MASS GRAVE IN OVČARA
The Vukovar massacre, also known as the Vukovar hospital massacre or the Ovčara massacre, was the killing of Croatian prisoners of war and civilians by Serb paramilitaries, to whom they had been turned over by the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), at the Ovčara farm southeast of Vukovar on November 20 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence. The massacre occurred shortly after Vukovar’s capture by the JNA, Territorial Defence (TO), and paramilitaries from neighbouring Serbia. It was the largest massacre perpetrated during the Croatian War of Independence.
Source: Memorial Centre of the Homeland War Vukovar, Croatia
https://www.mcdrvu.hr/portfolio_page/masovna-grobnica-ovcara/
VELEPROMET HANGAR
Not far from the Homeland War Memorial Center, on the road leading to the village of Negoslavci, there are storage hangars belonging to the trading company “Velepromet”. In September 1991, when the aggressor occupied part of the city’s Sajmište district, the Velepromet warehouses were turned into a collection center and camp for thousands of captured veterans and civilians. The camp was closed in March 1992, and it is estimated that more than 10,000 people passed through it.
Source: Memorial Centre of the Homeland War Vukovar, Croatia
Photograph: HINA