Developing Cultural Identity in the Balkans

Developing Cultural Identity in the Balkans
Author: Raymond Detrez
Publisher: Peter Lang
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2005
Genre: History
ISBN: 9789052012971

The fundamental contrast between convergent and divergent tendencies in the development of Balkan cultural identity can be seen as an important determinative both in the contradictory self-images of people in the Balkans and in the often biased perceptions of Balkan societies held by external observers, past and present. In bringing together case studies from such heterogeneous lines of research as linguistics, anthropology, political, literary and cultural history, each presenting insightful analyses of micro- as well as macro-level aspects of identity construction in the Balkans, this collection of essays provides a forum for the elucidation and critical evaluation of an intriguing paradox which continues to characterize the cultural situation in the Balkans and which, moreover, is of undeniable relevance for our understanding of recent political developments. As such, it also provides a window into the actual state of scholarly interest in the rich interdisciplinary field of Balkan studies. This book contains a selection of papers presented at the international conference «Developing Cultural Identity in the Balkans: Convergence vs. Divergence», organized by the Center for Southeast European Studies at Ghent University on 12 and 13 December 2003 in Ghent.

Slovenia

Slovenia
Author: Robin McKelvie
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2008
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 9781841622118

Once part of the larger republic of Yugoslavia, Slovenia is now an independent country with impressive Alpine scenery and charming Adriatic coastal towns. In addition to practical information on the country's accessible capital, Ljubljana, the Bradt guide explores off-the-beaten-track Slovenia including visits to wine-growing regions, hiking in the Julian Alps, white-water rafting and skiing. A strong emphasis on culture and history is combined with practical information on where to stay and eat, and how to get around.

Historical Dictionary of Slovenia

Historical Dictionary of Slovenia
Author: Leopoldina Plut-Pregelj
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 746
Release: 2018-02-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 1538111063

The expanded third edition of the Historical Dictionary of Slovenia covers personalities and events that have made a mark on Slovenia in the more than a decade since the last edition. This includes new entries related to Slovenia’s first 13 years as a member of NATO and the EU, changing diplomatic relations with its neighbors and other global states and institutions, a new crop of politicians who have upended the political status quo, entries related to Slovenia’s worst 21st century recession (2008-2013), nationwide protests against corruption, and many other developments. This third edition of Historical Dictionary of Slovenia contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Slovenia.

The Crusades and the Military Orders

The Crusades and the Military Orders
Author: Zsolt Hunyadi
Publisher: Central European University Press
Total Pages: 640
Release: 2001-01-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 9789639241428

Proceedings of a conference on a theme, the 34 essays by specialists from 15 countries prevent various facets of the struggles waged for the possession of the Holy Land between the 10th and 13th centuries, and of the activities of the military orders elsewhere in Europe.

Yugoslavia without Yugoslavs

Yugoslavia without Yugoslavs
Author: Božidar Jezernik
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2023-07-14
Genre: History
ISBN: 1805390449

The term “Yugoslavia” first appeared in an article in the newspaper Slovenija in Ljubljana on Friday, October 19, 1849. The author of the article declared that he was not interested in politics, but only in the literary unification of Yugoslavs within the Austro-Hungary Empire. With ongoing conflicts and disparate forms of nationalism in and around historical Yugoslavia as its backdrop, Yugoslavia without Yugoslavs for the first time addresses the history and idea of a united Yugoslavia in and during which a true “Yugoslav” identity never really came into being . Following a series of wars and uprisings from 1875 onwards, the first nation-state of Southern Slavs, established after World War I, became the “Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes” — a competing nationalistic blender that would go through failure, revival and transformation of the concept of “Yugoslavia”.

Geopolitics of European Union Enlargement

Geopolitics of European Union Enlargement
Author: Warwick Armstrong
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 301
Release: 2007-04-24
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1134301316

Under the impact of accelerated globalization, transnational integration and international security concerns, the geopolitics of Europe's borders and border regions has become an area of critical interest. The progressive enlargement of the EU has positioned its borders at the heart of recent discussions on the changing nature of the EU, the meaning of 'Europe' and what constitutional shape a more politically unified Europe might take. With enlargement, the EU must elaborate strategies to contend with a fiercely competitive world - and to build fortress-like defences against perceived tensions arising from greater cultural mixing and threats such as terrorism. The authors build up an integral picture of the EU's internal and external borders and borderlands to reveal the processes of re-bordering and social change currently taking place in Europe. They explore issues such as security, immigration, economic development and changing social and political attitudes, as well as the EU's relations with the Islamic world and other world powers. The book embraces an array of disciplinary, ideological and theoretical perspectives, offering detailed case studies of different border regions and the concerns of the local inhabitants, while engaging in broader discussions of developments across Europe, state policies and the EU's relations with neighbouring states. Geopolitics of European Union Enlargement will be of key interest to students and researchers in the fields of European politics, geography, international studies, sociology and anthropology.

(Hidden) Minorities

(Hidden) Minorities
Author: Christian Promitzer
Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2009
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 3643500963

This book asks why several ethnic and linguistic groups in Central Europe and the Balkans have not yet been legally recognized as national minorities. Some of these hidden minorities have not developed an intellectual elite that can visibly present their identity and claims to the majority population. Other groups are deliberately concealing their existence and language for reasons of self-protection. The chapters in this volume address the everyday mechanisms of hiding and being hidden in the transition zone of these two European regions.

The A to Z of Slovenia

The A to Z of Slovenia
Author: Leopoldina Plut-Pregelj
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 620
Release: 2010-05-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1461731755

For more than 1,300 years Slovenes had lived in Eastern Europe without having a separate Slovene state, but in December of 1990, they voted for independence, or, put more appropriately, for "disassociation" from Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, Slovenia had to fight for its independence, which it did not fully achieve until 1995 after its bloody disintegration with Yugoslavia was over. Since independence, however, Slovenia has prospered; its economy is far ahead of other former communist states and in 2004 Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the European Union, the only republic of former Yugoslavia to do so. The A to Z of Slovenia covers the history of Slovenia and its struggle to gain independence from communism. This is done through a detailed chronology, an introduction, appendixes, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on some of the more significant persons, places, and events; institutions and organizations; and political, economic, social, cultural, and religious facets.