Challenging Myth in a Short History of Kosovo

Abstract

Noel Malcolm’s Kosovo: A Short History challenges the dominant Serbian narrative concerning the history of the region, arguing that Serbia’s claim to Kosovo as the “cradle of Serbian civilization” is not borne out by historical evidence. Furthermore, the author refutes the notion that the Battle of Kosovo, a significant event in Serbian history, has been mythologized in the 19th century. He challenges the traditional view of the Battle of Kosovo as a turning point in Serbian history, asserting that its significance has been exaggerated. He also casts doubt on the popular account of the mass exodus of Serbs from Kosovo to southern Hungary at the end of the 17th century, led by Patriarch Arsenije III. Lastly, Malcolm criticizes the omission of Albanian aggression towards Serbs during the 20th century. – AI-generated abstract.