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If you think that Yugoslavia makes any sense, what about a Westslavia -- a single country for the West Slavs -- or Eastslavia -- a union of the East Slavs? Those wouldn't work either.
The nations of the former Yugoslavia have their own histories, cultures, religions, identities, economies, and languages (even if count Serbo-Croatian as a single language, the country never had a common language; it spoke three different Slavic languages: Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian, and Slovenian.) Even their geopolitical ties are different: Serbia often looks toward Russia, while Slovenia, for instance, has always tended to be pro-Western.
Yugoslavia was created due to the specific geopolitical circumstances of the early 20th century, and it was only kept together first as a Monarchist dictatorship (before WWII) and then as a Communist dictatorship (after WWII). There is no reason why the countries of the former Yugoslavia can't have friendly relations, but trying to unite them in the from of some artificial neo-Yugoslav entity doesn't make any sense. There already is a mechanism for European integration and it's called the EU.
Then by following this logic we could tear apart Italy, Spain or Germany into regions, because they have differences within themselves. Serbian and Croatian are more similar than the dialects in Italy btw. Only Slovenia would be the odd one, but it is a tiny tiny piece of land...
Then by following this logic we could tear apart Italy, Spain or Germany into regions, because they have differences within themselves. Serbian and Croatian are more similar than the dialects in Italy btw. Only Slovenia would be the odd one, but it is a tiny tiny piece of land...
But Italians and Germans have a sense of common nationhood. The Serbs and the Croats never had that; even in Yugoslav times, they considered themselves "Serbs" and "Croats," not "Yugoslavs." (A few people did consider themselves "Yugoslavs," but they were always a tiny minority.)
As for the language argument, the Irish also speak English (most of them), but that doesn't mean that they should join the United Kingdom again. The Austrians speak German, yet no one is pushing them to join Germany. And besides, three countries of the former Yugoslavia -- Slovenia, Macedonia, and Kosovo -- speak their own languages.
Don't forget that Yugoslavia only existed between 1918 and 1941 and then again between 1945 and 1991 -- two very short periods of time, historically speaking. (And both of them ended in failure.)
But Italians and Germans have a sense of common nationhood. The Serbs and the Croats never had that; even in Yugoslav times, they considered themselves "Serbs" and "Croats," not "Yugoslavs." (A few people did consider themselves "Yugoslavs," but they were always a tiny minority.)
As for the language argument, the Irish also speak English (most of them), but that doesn't mean that they should join the United Kingdom again. The Austrians speak German, yet no one is pushing them to join Germany. And besides, three countries of the former Yugoslavia -- Slovenia, Macedonia, and Kosovo -- speak their own languages.
Don't forget that Yugoslavia only existed between 1918 and 1941 and then again between 1945 and 1991 -- two very short periods of time, historically speaking. (And both of them ended in failure.)
I agree with you, Serbia has a complex that they were never big empire and never ruled all their neighbors unlike Bulgaria or Greece...or Hungary and the biggest irony is how their "great" Yugoslavia was actually headed by a Croat - Tito. That's like Erdogan to become the emperor of Bulgaria and then Bulgaria to claim it's independent empire ruling over Turkey, it's funny...
Unfortunately I've only been to Croatia (and Greece), but I really loved the country. I like their food, I like their culture, I love the nature and the cities. It's awesome.
Now, I can only speculate which other countries on the Balkan peninsula I'd like. I think Slovenia could be awesome, definitely on my list of places I want to visit. Not that far either. Montenegro also looks insanely beautiful. So I guess my top picks would be Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro.
Out of the countries you listed I feel pretty indifferent about Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. I don't feel drawn to them. Just very "meh..." in general.
As for Bosnia, I don't really know what to think about it. Places like Sarajevo and Mostar look great, but I think the country is a bit too crazy for my liking. According to friends, it's not always very safe and that's a huge downer for me.
And that brings me to Kosovo. Not very interested in it and it seems to be even more unsafe than Bosnia. Not planning to go there. Also, it lacks nice cities that could persuade me to go there, as in the case of Bosnia.
Youre englishmen or american I can not english word I say ??
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