«set in stone,
out of use
»
Reportage, 2025 and ongoing
Thirty years after the war's end, Vukovar remains a focal point of memory and unresolved conflicts in the Balkans. Officially a monument to Croatian identity, many residents question whether they are merely extras in an endless memorial project.
This project offers a contemporary perspective on Vukovar and Slavonia, a region partially occupied by Serbian forces during the Croatian War. The scars of war are still visible today: abandoned houses and economic stagnation shape daily life. Meanwhile, the memory of the conflict is preserved through monuments and memorial centers, often without direct benefit to the local population.
Which memories are staged? And what everyday challenges must the Slavonians face?
On the western bank of the Danube lie the small fishing boats of the locals. Yet this is also one of the external borders of the EU. On the other side of the river, Serbia begins. Photographed on 02.24.2025 in Vucedol, Slavonia (Croatia).An old factory site stands between fields and industrial plants. Just before the war, it had only recently been put into operation. War damage was never repaired, and no one has worked there since. Photographed on 02.24.2025 in Vukovar, Croatia.
A Croatian patriot, no longer steady on his feet, rides a mobility scooter adorned with fluttering national flags through the small town of Nova Gradiška. Photographed on 02.25.2025 in Nova Gradiska.A travel group visits the memorial site of the Ovcara massacre, where 200 people were shot and buried. Photographed on 02.23.2025 near Vukovar.
Wire sculptures on the grounds of the military museum depict various events during conflicts. Photographed on 02.23.2025 in Vukovar.The Vukovar Water Tower is a landmark and memorial. It has been converted into a war museum and is a popular tourist attraction. Built between 1963 and 1968, the 50.33-meter-tall tower is a symbol of the city's resistance and suffering during the Croatian War. Today, it attracts many visitors. Photographed on 02.22.2025 in Vukovar.Currently empty, but presumably pre-reserved graves at the Memorial Cemetery for War Victims. A trash bin is available for spent candles. Photographed on 02.23.2025 near Vukovar.New roof, new windows, factory-new national flag. The bullet holes have been preserved. Even 30 years after the liberation of the city, it is known primarily for its pivotal role during the Yugoslav Wars. Photographed on 02.23.2025 in Vukovar.A small soldier's portrait hangs next to an image of the Virgin Mary in Drazen Posden's room. He fought in the Yugoslav War and is now largely confined to his bed due to his multiple sclerosis. The memories of the past are still vivid in his mind, and he often reflects on the war. Photographed on 02.27.2025 in Zagreb.Miroslaw, Ankica, and Drazen Posden pose for a family photo. Photographed on 02.27.2025 in Zagreb.On the way to the small, secluded village of Jamena, one passes a memorial plaque for war casualties of World War II. The road briefly crosses the Croatian border here. This monument dates back to a time before the EU's external border. During World War II, Croatia was characterized by the Ustasa movement, which was allied with the Nazis and known for its brutal actions. At the same time, there was a strong partisan movement in Yugoslavia, which was among the largest and most effective resistance movements in Europe. Photographed on 02.24.2025 between Morovic and Jamena, Serbia.Two youths fish in the local canal near Okucani. The former main traffic route through Slavonia to Zagreb has long been replaced by a highway. Photographed on 02.24.2025 in Okucani.A secret landmark of the small town of Nova Gradiška is a model of the Eiffel Tower. In the fog typical of this season, it seems out of place. Photographed on 02.26.2025 in Nova Gradiska, Croatia.Damir Senic has lived in Nova Gradiska all his life and has repeatedly worked in Germany. He experienced the war as a child and vividly remembers the destroyed city. Photographed on 02.25.2025 in Nova Gradiska.Apart from the license plates and inscriptions on signs, some streets in Nova Gradiška look very similar to those in Germany. Photographed on 02.25.2025 in Nova Gradiska.Some say that the dog Lara is spoiled. When she is tired in the evening, she lies down in the marital bed of the Senic family and waits for her owners. They live in a small house with a large garden behind it. Photographed on 02.25.2025 in Nova Gradiska, Croatia.
The goal of a small soccer field. Photographed on 02.25.2025 in Nova Gradiska.Zdravko and Reza Senic pose for a photo while holding hands. Zdravko happily mentions that they haven't done this in decades and laughs. Photographed on 02.25.2025 in Nova Gradiska.At the highway exit to Nova Gradiska stands an advertising sculpture for the local construction company "Presoflex". Photographed on 02.22.2025 in Nova Gradiska.Ivan shares that his brother passed away two days earlier. He enjoys spending his day in the town center, engaging in conversations with friends and acquaintances. If strangers in town catch his attention, he doesn't hesitate to strike up a conversation with them. Photographed on 02.26.2025 in Nova Gradiska, Slavonia (Croatia).Wire sculptures on the grounds of the military museum depict not only the destruction but also the relentless effort and hardship during conflicts. Photographed on 02.23.2025 in Vukovar.An old cemetery lies almost next to the border in the tri-border area of Serbia-Bosnia-Croatia. Those buried here likely represent various ethnicities, but the burial site is almost only accessible through Serbia, and even then with difficulty. Nevertheless, it seems that someone visits here from time to time. Photographed on 02.23.2025 in Jamena, Serbia.This otherwise well-maintained road ends at the border. From the Serbian side, the stretch of the path to the nearest Croatian village looks inviting, almost like an offer of peace. Before the war, the path ran continuously between the two villages, which are only about a kilometer apart. Photographed on 02.23.2025 in Jamena, Serbia.The Vukovar Water Tower, riddled with bullet holes, is a symbol found in the few souvenir shops of the city. The fact that it withstood both heavy artillery fire and close-range gunfire is seen by patriots as a sign of their people's resilience. Photographed on 02.23.2025 in Vukovar.