Threat, Identity, and the Invisible Bonds of Cohesion – The Case of Croatian Homeland War Veterans

V rámci odborného seminára Vedeckej rady nášho ústavu si Vás dovoľujeme pozvať na prednášku v angličtine, ktorá sa uskutoční v utorok, 2. decembra 2025, od 13.00 v zasadačke ÚESA SAV, v. v. i. na Klemensovej 19 v Bratislave.

Vystúpi Dr. Igor MIKLOUŠIĆ z Inštitútu sociálnych vied Ivo Pilara v Záhrebe s prezentáciou na tému Threat, Identity, and the Invisible Bonds of Cohesion – The Case of Croatian Homeland War Veterans.

Anotácia prednášky

Drawing on extensive quantitative data and rich qualitative material, the lecture shows how existential threat, loss, and high-intensity combat exposure forged exceptionally strong bonds among Croatian Homeland War veterans, in Croatia referred to as Defenders (Branitelji). By examining existential threat, spontaneous wartime rituals, and exceptionally strong intragroup cohesion, the lecture covers more than a decade of research on how war experiences became deeply embedded in both personal and collective identity. Findings show that informal rituals, shared hardship, and peer support remain crucial protective factors for veterans’ wellbeing even 30 years after the war, while institutional mistrust and social misunderstanding continue to hinder reintegration. The lecture asks a central question: how do we rebuild bridges between veterans and the society they fought to protect?

Na podujatie sa bude možné pripojiť aj online prostredníctovm odkazu:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88554012659?pwd=CpVok9ayH3DjedgjSBS7WBbQQcqao1

Meeting ID: 885 5401 2659
Passcode: 032905