More than ever, we talk so much about war(s) today. Wars that are ongoing, wars that are about to start, wars that may never finish. A war that may leave deep traumatic traces into the lives of those who survived it.
Tijan Sila was a child as the war that torned apart the former Yugoslavia started. He grew up, coming of age, during those years, when colleagues and neighbours were overnight turning sides against people who they never asked which god they are praying too. Trauma is everywhere, war is everywhere, but one gets used with it. After a while, it may be completely normal to watch a bullet crossing your kitchen while reading a comics.
Radio Sarajevo is a short yet insightful memoir about what does it mean to deal with major life encounters, like hate or dead, as a child. The prose is clean of any embelishments, direct and relates to the voice of the children that are the most important characters in the book.
Sila moved with his family from Sarajevo to Germany, where he currently lives, and only returned 25 years after, on the occasion of the translation of one of his books into Bosnian. I had access to the book in the original German language.
If you are looking to better understand what happens with children in war zones, Radio Sarajevo is a tragical introduction to it. This is not the way to live. No one should grow up watching bullets killing their friends or their friend´s parents.
This is a recommended read if you are looking to understand more about how the wars in former Yugoslavia affected everyday lives and the simple people who just wanted to live. Unfortunately, such books are more actual than ever.
Rating: 4 stars
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