5.2. The beginning of conflict and the collapse of dreams
Fig. 66
Joel Robine / AFP / Profimedia 1991
In 1991, armed conflicts broke out in Yugoslavia, which later escalated into a general civil war that took over 150,000 lives, left ruined states and destroyed dreams and the future. I do not want to argue about the causes, the culprits, nor to audit the events of the war. However, what is a fact that we are still facing today are the consequences that the war left, which are still relevant today.
The industry was particularly hard hit, which, due to international sanctions and embargoes, was forced to suspend production, which eventually resulted in bankruptcy and factory closures. This fate befell most factories in Montenegro, which were the engine of the state economy. Due to the fear of war, a huge number of people moved to the countries of Western Europe, and so the exodus of the population occurred. This was especially felt in small communities such as Rozaje, where mass emigration took place.
In addition to social disturbances, the rise of nationalism, chauvinism and extremism, on one hand, there is a collapse of the economy, closure of factories and production, which will later lead to mass migration and emigration. (Radio Free Europe, 2000)
As a final product of the war, with huge human casualties, there is a complete collapse of the economy, production and industry, a large number of people lose their jobs, and culture and social life are marginalized.
A similar scenario of economic collapse, as well as socio-political circumstances, occurred in all countries of the former Yugoslavia.
And I tell you: “Let the seas sink down,
let the glaciers crash down, let eternal snows melt down and still let the rain fall unstopped, let there be lightning and thunders storms, just let there be no war. Đorđe Balašević - Just let there be no war, 1987 (Part of the lyrics of a song by a famous Yugoslav singer-songwriter. The song called for peace and love) 68
