Visual Narratives of Post-Conflict Identity: Shaping Cultural Memory in Croatia through Participatory Design

The disintegration of Yugoslavia and Croatia’s Homeland War (1991–1995) left cultural memory underdeveloped in national policy. While transitional justice has been widely studied, little attention has been given to cultural memory as heritage. This research examines how participatory design enables communities, through civic organisations, memorials, and projects like IN MEMORIAM/U SPOMEN, to co-create and preserve cultural memory outside state institutions. Using interviews, workshops, fieldwork, and case studies, it proposes the Memory Culture Participatory Design Framework to strengthen collaboration between cultural institutions and communities. Findings show participatory design can transform post-conflict memory practices, fostering dialogue, inclusivity, and long-term institutional engagement.