The Balkan Frontier
The Balkan countries stand at a critical turning point as they approach potential integration into the European Union. The region's complex cultural influences and geopolitical dynamics have had a big impact on its identity, both historically and in recent times. Our project aims to examine perceptions of Balkan identity and the interplay of cultural and geographical boundaries within broader European contexts. We seek to understand why the term "Balkan" often carries different connotations across various cultural perspectives, particularly leaning towards the negative ones. Additionally, the purpose of the research is to explore the legacy of Yugoslavia and to archive its cultural, social, economic, and political landscapes. The objective is to capture a snapshot of life in the region before it is transformed by possible integration with Europe, and to create a lasting resource for future generations.
Resultaten
outcomes include a series of books or newspapers dedicated to different regions, accompanied by a traveling exhibition featuring our photographic work and offering insights into our research process. Our primary objective is to share our findings with interested audiences in Western Europe, the Balkans, and beyond. We see our research project as an open lab, where collaboration and dialogue with people from
many different academic fields and social backgrounds plays an important role.
