Dr. Mitja Velikonja is a Professor for Cultural Studies and head of Center for Cultural and Religious Studies at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Main areas of his research include Central-European and Balkan political ideologies, subcultures and graffiti culture, collective memory and post-socialist nostalgia.
Twenty-five years after the violent collapse of socialist Yugoslavia, urban walls in its successo... more Twenty-five years after the violent collapse of socialist Yugoslavia, urban walls in its successor states are still full of pro- and anti-Yugoslav graffiti and street art. The main questions of the chapter—based on semiological (quantitative and qualitative) methodological approaches—are how, where and why Yugoslavia, its socialism, its anti-fascist roots and its leaders are (de)constructed, praised and condemned in this specific urban subculture. On the level of denotation, graffiti and street art can be divided into pro-Yugoslav and anti-Yugoslav, often directly confronted in graffiti-battles. On the level of connotation, three major ideological antagonism appear: socialist federalism vs. nationalism, Tito vs. his opponents, and antifascism versus fascism. Before presenting final findings of the research, expressive strategies of such urban production are analyzed, such as provocation and criticism, affirmation and continuity, territory marking, constant antagonisation and semiotic guerrilla.
Titostalgia is my neologism, describing nostalgic sentiments, activities and products in post-Yug... more Titostalgia is my neologism, describing nostalgic sentiments, activities and products in post-Yugoslav societies that are connected to the late president of Yugoslavia Josip Broz, alias Tito. Much like any other nostalgia, it comprises both the discourses of certain groups, institutions and individuals, and a mentality pattern. A Slovenian artisan decorated his office with Broz's images and plaques, which are flanked by and an old Yugoslav and Slovenian flag. Today, "Broz" figures as a reference point, or rather "zero point," against which contemporary political affairs can be evaluated. The holidays commemorating Broz and Yugoslavia are also marked in many bars and cafes. An analysis of 45 T-shirts, produced in varied parts of former Yugosla. Keywords:Broz's images; Post-Yugoslav cognitive map; Titostalgia
Twenty-five years after the violent collapse of socialist Yugoslavia, urban walls in its successo... more Twenty-five years after the violent collapse of socialist Yugoslavia, urban walls in its successor states are still full of pro- and anti-Yugoslav graffiti and street art. The main questions of the chapter—based on semiological (quantitative and qualitative) methodological approaches—are how, where and why Yugoslavia, its socialism, its anti-fascist roots and its leaders are (de)constructed, praised and condemned in this specific urban subculture. On the level of denotation, graffiti and street art can be divided into pro-Yugoslav and anti-Yugoslav, often directly confronted in graffiti-battles. On the level of connotation, three major ideological antagonism appear: socialist federalism vs. nationalism, Tito vs. his opponents, and antifascism versus fascism. Before presenting final findings of the research, expressive strategies of such urban production are analyzed, such as provocation and criticism, affirmation and continuity, territory marking, constant antagonisation and semiotic guerrilla.
Titostalgia is my neologism, describing nostalgic sentiments, activities and products in post-Yug... more Titostalgia is my neologism, describing nostalgic sentiments, activities and products in post-Yugoslav societies that are connected to the late president of Yugoslavia Josip Broz, alias Tito. Much like any other nostalgia, it comprises both the discourses of certain groups, institutions and individuals, and a mentality pattern. A Slovenian artisan decorated his office with Broz's images and plaques, which are flanked by and an old Yugoslav and Slovenian flag. Today, "Broz" figures as a reference point, or rather "zero point," against which contemporary political affairs can be evaluated. The holidays commemorating Broz and Yugoslavia are also marked in many bars and cafes. An analysis of 45 T-shirts, produced in varied parts of former Yugosla. Keywords:Broz's images; Post-Yugoslav cognitive map; Titostalgia
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