Amandine Agić's Debut Novel Explores Yugoslav Heritage
In 2026, Amandine Agić, a writer of French-Swiss-Bosnian descent, released her debut novel titled "D'un pays qui n'existe plus" (From a Country That No Longer Exists) through Éditions de l'Olivier. The narrative delves into her upbringing with a Yugoslav father and a Franco-Swiss mother during the tumultuous period of the Bosnian War and the breakup of Yugoslavia. Agić shares poignant childhood recollections of humanitarian efforts and familial ties, tackling issues of identity, genocide, and conflict. She also critiques the Western narrative surrounding the Balkan wars, especially in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The title alludes to "ex-Yugoslavia," and her story spans her transition from youth to adulthood. On September 6, 2026, it was highlighted on RFI's podcast "L'art de raconter le monde."
Key facts
- Amandine Agić's debut novel 'D'un pays qui n'existe plus' is published by Éditions de l'Olivier.
- Agić was born in France to a Yugoslav father and a Franco-Swiss mother.
- The novel explores her experience of the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War.
- Yugoslavia is referred to as 'ex-Yugoslavia' after Slovenia and Croatia declared independence in 1991.
- The book addresses the challenge of understanding war and genocide from a distance.
- Agić criticizes Western misinformation about the Balkan wars, noting the Russian invasion of Ukraine was called 'the first war in Europe since 1945'.
- The novel includes a chapter with the refrain 'Personne ne comprend la guerre' (No one understands war).
- The book was featured on RFI's podcast 'L'art de raconter le monde' on September 6, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Amandine Agić
Institutions
- Éditions de l'Olivier
- RFI
Locations
- France
- Switzerland
- Yugoslavia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Srebrenica
- Potočari
- Sarajevo
- Auvergne
- Ukraine
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Macedonia