Ya-Hsin Luo

Olja Džuverović was an exceptionally distinguished and active diplomat from Yugoslavia, as well as a prolific writer for newspapers and magazines. She preserved a significant collection of invaluable materials related to the Non-Aligned Movement. In 2023, we curated an exhibition at UAL, showcasing her diligent preservation and keen observations, offering a glimpse into this exciting era.

The initial intent of the Non-Aligned Movement was profoundly idealistic. It aimed to resist aligning with the two dominant powers and their coercive alliances, seeking to protect the sovereignty and dignity of nations striving to survive in the interstices. The movement’s goal was not to transform all nations into powerful entities but rather to ensure that those with relatively weaker economic or military positions could also maintain their dignity.

I have always regarded Olja's collection as a form of curatorship from a female perspective. She focused on and was curious about political figures that resonated with her, such as Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, whom we discussed last semester. During the 1976 Fifth Non-Aligned Movement Conference, instead of merely closing the doors of the conference room, Bandaranaike transparently disclosed all agreements to the Sri Lankan people and allowed them to freely interact with visiting foreign delegates. This policy of openness and transparency, in my view, embodies certain feminine qualities.

The purpose of this exhibition is to correct historical imbalances by providing a platform for the women who shaped the Non-Aligned Movement and, more broadly, political history. Olja’s archive serves as a testament to the resilience and enduring impact of these women, prompting a reevaluation of their roles in history.

The Non-Aligned Movement, while progressive, has often been recorded through a patriarchal lens. Olja Džuverović’s archive challenges this narrative by highlighting the role of women in the movement. Her collection reveals the operational processes of solidarity and support within Yugoslavia’s foreign policy.