Like any river, the Janja weaves through the landscape, carving time, destiny, and imagination. Flowing through northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, it tells the story of the land, its people, and the rhythms of nature. For centuries, it was more than water—it was a lifeline.

The river sustained communities, nourished fields, and offered joy to those who gathered along its banks. Children learned to swim in its waters, cattle grazed nearby, and farmers depended on it for crops. The Janja was trusted and celebrated. This began to change in the late 1970s with the construction of the Ugljevik power plant, a major industrial project that reshaped the river’s destiny.

In the early 1980s, to accommodate the plant, Janja’s flow was diverted. Its ecosystem—once teeming with fish, plants, and wildlife began to deteriorate. The river, once vibrant, became altered and diminished.

Stretching 53 kilometers, Janja forms the left tributary of the Drina River. Along its course, rich in cultural and historical layers, the river temporarily changes its name to Modran before resuming its original identity. These name changes mirror the transformation of the river itself from a natural force to a disrupted and redefined space.

My journey along Janja is a reflection of its evolving relationship with the land. It is an attempt to understand the river not only in terms of ecology and economy, but also in terms of culture and memory. To grasp its fate, we must listen carefully to the murmur of its waters and to the stories they carry. Only then can we feel the sorrow or peace that comes with saying goodbye at its end.