At the end of the cold war and with the collapse
of the communist block in eastern Europe, Slovenia
a state that took part of the Republic of
Yugoslavia claimed independence. Shortly afterwards the fellow states of Croatia
and Bosnia followed. The year was 1991 and Slobodan Milosevic president
of Yugoslavia was not about to let that happen. Seeking the unity, control and
power of the greater Serbia and the republic of Yugoslavia he immediately
ordered the deployment of the Serbian forces into Slovenia. The tensions
escalated and the cry for freedom turned into an all out war. After the Serbian
forces lost control of Slovenia, they quickly retreated and redeployed their
forces into Croatia and Bosnia. What fallowed was the worst conflict ever
experienced in Europe, since World War II.
Once again, the Balkans, where in
middle of violence and chaos. I arrived in Zagreb the capital of Croatia at the
end of the summer of 1992. By then, the fighting had intensify in Bosnia, it's capital Sarajevo
was completely surrounded by the Serbs and enduring one of the worst sieges of
the conflict. Sniper, mortar and artillery fire was a constant threat and the
frontlines were everywhere. Hundreds of refugees were coming out of Bosnia and
the stories that came along with them were unspeakable.
I will say that what I
photographed there will account for perhaps a 10% of what I experienced. Bosnia
broke my heart as well as the heart of many people. I still think of them today
and they will be in my heart till the end of my days.
