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  • The Role of Artists and Scientists in Times of War
  • Matjuška Teja Krašek
    Translated by Nives Sulic-Dular

This note was inspired by Michele Emmer's editorial, "Only Bombs Are Intelligent?" [1] I read it on the very day Slovenia celebrates its National Day.

After a December 1990 referendum in which Slovenes opted to form their own state, on 25 June 1991, the Slovene Parliament announced independence, and Slovenia seceded from Yugoslavia. A day later, the capital, Ljubljana, organized a celebration, which was intermittently disturbed by the sinister sounds of low-flying military planes. These planes, which until then had protected Slovenes, belonged to the Yugoslav army and announced the beginning of an armed conflict.

It is not the purpose of this article to analyze the historical circumstances that led to these events, nor is it to identify the guilty side. There had been several proposals that could have helped solve the Yugoslav crisis at the time (one of them had been the idea of the confederation of all Yugoslav republics). When the crisis occurred, talks among the republics proved unsuccessful. The result was a clash of arms—first in Slovenia, then in Croatia, followed by the war in Bosnia, the crisis in Kosovo, NATO's bombardment of Yugoslavia and, at the time of this writing, conflict in Macedonia. It is my opinion that the horrors of war and the loss of numerous lives could have been prevented. I also now hope that the governments of Serbia and Montenegro will be able to find a creative way to resolve their difficult situation in a way that will benefit all the parties concerned.

Since the war in Slovenia lasted for only 10 days, it might seem that it is not worth mentioning. Yet when it started no one could predict its extent, its duration or its consequences. It is not important how many people lost their lives on one or on the other side; each person, soldier or civilian, is irreplaceable. That person's family has lost a beloved member.

Even though Slovenia experienced "only" a 10-day war, its taste will probably remain in our souls forever; it is the taste of deepest fear and uncertainty.

I believe in the power of beauty, thus in the power of art, science and human creativity in general. I think that artists and scientists are able to contribute to the world's peace with their own artistic creations and scientific discoveries, but also through teaching others. As a pebble thrown into water creates waves that spread outward, this activity starts within one's immediate surroundings, one's family, and spreads further. We are all foremost people, working on a one-to-one basis, illustrating by our acts, by example, how to become a better person, a better neighbor, day by day. It is true that nobody is perfect, but everybody can strive to become better. Everyone can grow and work on creating better relationships with others. A mere smile can lighten a gloomy day and chase away dark thoughts.

In peace we need to try to prevent war. We need to initiate creative dialogue between people. I feel that coexistence is possible despite different views. The truth is subjective, true, but what we need is tolerance. Not in the sense that everything is allowed but in respecting the integrity of others and respecting their way of life. We have to be tolerant ourselves, at the same time spreading and teaching tolerance and respect to others (not only the young). People have to learn not only to listen, but also to hear; not only to hear, but also (at least try to) understand. We need to learn about each other, from each other, and to believe in the power of knowledge and wisdom. After all, we all share this planet and depend on it. Because of this [End Page 228] we have to protect it and also take care of each other. Only in peace can we develop our creativity and thus help to build a better life for all of us.


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Fig. 1.

Interlaced Hearts, computer graphics, 2001. (©Matjus.ka Teja Kras.ek)

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