Chronicles 32
The Power of Personal Responsibility
Group of authors
In October 2008 Latinka Perovic marked her 75th
birthday anniversary. The book "The Power of Personal Responsibility" -
a collection of articles by her friends and associates - is the homage
to her years-long research and endeavor to interpret Serbia and its
attempts at modernization. This book is also the homage to her life-long
advocacy for truth, tolerance, individual honesty and courage, and sense
of responsibility for one's own country. It is also the homage to
Latinka Perovic as a person, historian, politician and, above all, a
friend and associate.
Of all Serb historians, Latinka Perovic probably did
the most for deeper understanding of the beginnings of Serbia's modern
history in the 19th century that preconditions any understanding of the
ongoing drama of the Serbian society trying to make the stock of its
two-century wavering. Likewise, understanding the true nature of
Serbia's longstanding political option - that of Serbia's hegemonism in
the Balkans, which ended in crime - preconditions proper responses to
all the dilemmas it is nowadays dramatically faced with.
At one stage of her life when she was an outstanding
politician, Latinka Perovic paid due respect to the complexity of the
Yugoslav federation and opposed Serbia's continual denial to make the
effort such a complex state necessitated. In this regard she was among
the few who understood this complex federation and the need for equal
relations between its republics on which it actually rested. Her
perception of ex-Yugoslavia's disintegration is, therefore, unique among
Serb historians and politicians alike.
This book that manifests our deep respect for Latinka
Perovic is also an attempt to curb marginalization of her person, her
work and her understanding of Serbia. Without perception and
understanding such as hers Serbia can hardly become a part of the family
of European nations.
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
(The book is available in Serbo-Croat only) |
