Slavo Kukić, a pre-war Marxism teacher, post-war professor of sociology, and author of numerous textbooks in the field of economics, passed away at the age of 70. Over the course of his career, he underwent several political and social transformations, remaining one of the most controversial figures in the public scene of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
His ability to adapt to different regimes and political systems defined his path—from a Marxist and opponent of capitalism to an analyst involved in research for capitalist markets.
Kukić was prominent in public life, particularly as a representative of the Croatian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, often aligning his positions with the majority political views.
His association with promoting the ideas of majoritarianism, particularly in the post-war period, made him an influential figure in Sarajevo’s media and political spheres, where he was often viewed as the “governor” of Herzegovina.
The news of his death sparked different reactions in the three Bosnian-Herzegovinian communities. While it was received with indifference in Republika Srpska, the Bosniak public expressed regret, and opinions within the Croatian community were divided.
Born in Posušje, Kukić began his career as a promising teacher of Marxism. However, after the fall of the communist regime, he was accused of violating students’ rights, particularly their religious freedoms, which he denied. Although these accusations were later confirmed by testimonies from former students, the media that supported him never opened space for a discussion on these controversies.
Despite this, Kukić remained a key figure in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s social life. His connections with international actors, such as the OHR and the U.S. Embassy, allowed him to continue playing crucial roles, especially in media and political circles. Kukić was known for his readiness to criticize Croatian political structures while being relatively lenient toward others, creating an impression of selective objectivity.
During the war, Kukić became loyal to the new structures, and his academic career continued in Neum at the University of Herceg-Bosna. Sarajevo often overlooked these facts while simultaneously elevating Him as a human rights advocate, though his past carried significantly more complex shades.
After the war, Kukić increasingly turned to the NGO sector and media recruitment, where he was known for his rigorous ideological selection of collaborators. His role in shaping Federal Television, including bringing in certain personnel, remained controversial, as did his ties to specific elements within the Bosniak political elite.
The irony of Kukić’s death lies in the fact that those who now mourn him regarded him as a spokesperson for a civic Bosnia and Herzegovina, even though his role in that civic vision was far from clear.
His relationship with some of the most rigid elements of the Bosniak political scene was never fully explained, nor was his selective critique of the Croatian political scene, where he was much harsher compared to his treatment of other actors.
Toward the end of his life, Kukić clashed with Krug99 and some of the rigid Bosniak nationalists, despite years earlier participating in the very same Krug99 gatherings where he had criticized intellectuals and media that did the same, calling them “retrograde.”
Slavo Kukić departs at a time when many old wounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina are reopening, but his passing leaves behind a legacy that is far from straightforward. He will be remembered as a complex and controversial figure who managed to navigate various political waters, though not without criticism.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
PoskokOnline Team