Milunka Savić and Sofija Jovanović in the culture of memory of the French and Serbian people

The paper analyzes the military activities of two Serbian women warriors from the period of the First World War – Milunka Savić and Sofija Jovanović, with a particular emphasis of their reception in the French culture of memory. Milunka Savić stands out as the only women awarded by the French medal Cross of War with a Golden Palm, whereas at the award ceremony she was honoured in the same manner as the highest-ranking officers of the allied armies. Sofija Jovanović left her trace within the visual documentation of the French Military Archives in Vincennes, which proves her presence in the allies’ memorial practice. Their fighting spirit and courage transcend national boundaries and become part of the broader European narrative of the Great War. The authors of the paper begin from the question as to the status of these personalities in the culture of memory of the Serbian nation and to what extent their contribution has been adequately institutionally and symbolically valued.