Zlata's Diary

December 3 marks Zlata’s 12th birthday. The family is cheerful despite the cold and lack of water or electricity. Zlata receives chocolate, soap, vitamins, and some jewelry for her birthday—a bounty under the circumstances.

The next day, occupying forces begin ejecting people from Otes, where Zlata’s uncle and his wife and children live. Occupiers shell the section so badly that Zlata hears constant booming 10 kilometers away. By December 6, her uncle (Braco), his wife (Keka), and her cousins Mikica and Daco make it to Keka’s mother’s house nearby. Braco arrives separately from the others because he and his best friend fled from work at the radio and television center. After swimming the Dobrinja River, Braco’s friend was fatally shot; though he tried to help, Braco ultimately had to leave him. Zlata’s family gives them warm clothing, and the neighborhood provides supplies as well. Zlata is moved by everyone’s compassion.

In mid-December, Zlata’s mother runs into her old piano teacher, Biljana Cankovic, who may lose her job because she cannot find pupils: Many children have left, and those who have stayed keep out of the streets for fear of shelling. Zlata’s mother arranges for the teacher to come for homeschool lessons, and Mirna signs up as well.

For Christmas, Zlata attends an UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force) Christmas show. Though the children jostle so much that she cannot get a Christmas present, she is able to spend the night with her grandparents and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. Her aunt Radmila invites the family over for Christmas on December 26; they enjoy a good meal and Zlata receives a small gift. Zlata concludes December reflecting on how her parents have changed and on the injustice of losing both her childhood and her parents’ happiness to war.

Zlata and a family friend, Melica, celebrate New Year’s with a lunch and gift exchange. They return home, and as the evening progresses, another friend, Auntie Boda, invites them to her place. They listen to a local comedy radio program, share a bottle of champagne, and exchange gifts, including a comb, barrette, and musical egg.

Holiday care packages arrive steadily, sent by friends abroad. Winter strains the family, who must move all their bedding, cooking, and bathing things into the kitchen because it is the only room they can heat. Zlata’s father suffers from frostbite simply from chopping wood in the cellar. When shelling occurs, they must endure bombs as well as cold. Zlata remarks that although the three warring sides will meet in Geneva, she does not think the negotiations will succeed.

Zlata and her friend Mirna agree to take math lessons from one of their old teachers to catch up on their education. She marvels that in the last month, she has written more about personal events and less about shelling and wonders whether this is because she has gotten used to it or because she has a strong will to survive.

Shelling intensifies, but on February 5, Zlata’s family celebrates in honor of Bojana’s birthday. Zlata and Mirna continue to meet, study, and work on their schooling. When there is heat (provided by a neighbor on emergency electricity who shares a power cord with the family), Zlata practices piano.

Zlata and Mirna’s parents petition to have the girls finish their school year at home. The girls lament that they cannot go to school. Zlata explains that every visit and letter is precious and joyous. She receives several letters from an international organization arranging pen pals for children in Bosnia.

French reporters arrive to talk with Zlata because of her diary. Though they hope to film an interview near the library, the lack of electricity and cameraman prevent this. Zlata’s mother gets their traveling papers in order, but the Slovenian convey falls through as the city shuts down. Travel out of Sarajevo becomes impossible.

Zlata’s plan to finish school privately is dashed by talk of reopening the schools. Gas returns to the family’s side of the Miljacka River, but without gas workers, residents, including Zlata’s father, must pipe the gas on their own. The family puts a heater in the woodburning stove and reattaches the gas stove, allowing them to stay warm, cook, and rearrange the house for more breathing room. Zlata is happy that the apartment looks nicer.

The family runs out of bird food for Cicko. When he refuses rice and breadcrumbs, the whole neighborhood shares what they can from their own stocks of pet food. Zlata philosophizes about the return of spring and how little a city at war can experience the seasonal reassertion of life. She comes down with a cold, runs a fever, and wonders what the future might hold.

The family’s friend, Slobo, has been left alone since his wife, Doda, left for Slovenia; his son, Dejan, and his mother are in Subotica. He needs radiation therapy and is alone in the hospital. Zlata’s parents visit him, but Zlata laments that they find themselves all so isolated without relief. The only silver linings are that Nedo gets a job for UNPROFOR and Zlata visits with more French reporters, who praise her English.