Croatia

Abstract

Koren focusses on controversies on teaching about the wars that have taken place in Croatia since 1990. At that time, history served as a tool to re-examine and redefine identity. New textbooks firmly promoted the ideology of Croatian statehood, and the historical continuity of the state. The debate concerns changing representations of the ‘Homeland War’ in textbooks and curricula in the last two decades, which have continuously reflected the clash of interpretations and disparate memories of World War Two and the recent wars. While recent reactions demonstrate the ongoing political importance attached to history education, there are indications that society has become open enough to question dominant interpretations. These debates are far from over, however, and still have the potential to create conflicts in society.