The paper analyzes the image of France and the reception of French ideas in the magazine Žena danas (Woman Today) during the period 1936–1940. The methodological framework of the study involves the application of reception theory, method of imagology, close reading, and translatology. The first part of the study explores representations of women’s status in French society and analyses texts reprinted from French magazines. The second part of the paper examines the function of reports on political and social developments in France as presented in Žena danas. Literature translated from French is interpreted through the prism of the journal’s editorial policy. The third part of the study deals with the reception of French cinematography and the image of female portraits of French women. The paper concludes that the magazine’s discourse on the Other evolves over time, from idealization and stereotyping to a destabilization and critique of the stereotypes structuring French society.
This article analyzes the role of solidarity networks, especially those driven by migrants’ direct involvement, in fostering alternative forms of coexistence in Istanbul’s precarious urban settings. The EU-Turkey statement from March 2016 is a fundamental example of how the securitization of migration in Europe has made Turkey’s role in the European border regime stronger and changed the cities where migrants want to live. The article builds on the idea that borders are decomposed and reproduced within cities. It uses ethnographic research conducted in Tarlabaşı, a central, marginalized area of Istanbul that has been historically marked by displacement, urban transformation, and demographic change. In this urban borderland, undocumented migrants live in unsafe places as grassroots groups set up networks for mutual aid and resistance. The analysis focuses on Maysta Yaşam Kooperatifi (Life in May Cooperative), a solidarity initiative offering Turkish language lessons and after-school activities for children. By emphasizing everyday practices, encounters, and self-organized forms of aid, the cooperative fights racism and exclusion while nurturing an inclusive urban community. These initiatives illuminate the subtle yet significant ways solidarity networks counter authoritarian pressures and reshape urban belonging.
This paper explores the largely overlooked phenomenon of child labour among unaccompanied and separated children travelling from Asia and Africa toward Europe via the Western Balkan route. Drawing on qualitative field research conducted in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the study reveals that a substantial number of children engage in informal, hazardous, and exploitative work both during their journey and upon arrival in Serbia. Many undertake jobs classified as the worst forms of child labour, including dangerous physical labour, work with a high risk of injury, and involvement in illicit activities. Restrictive migration and asylum policies across transit countries push children into deep informality, leaving them invisible to protection systems and highly vulnerable to abuse by employers. Findings also show that national protection systems rarely identify child labour unless linked with suspected trafficking, resulting in inconsistent, insufficient, and reactive responses. The study highlights the urgent need for a child-rights–based approach that prioritises protection over securitisation within European migration governance.
This paper examines how practices regulating and producing (im)mobility took shape in the Una-Sana Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina) over the course of 2019 and 2020, where urban dynamics structured movement and produced uneven and precarious experiences for people on the move. Drawing on Critical Migration Studies and Border Studies, which conceptualize mobility as both a technology of governance and a site of contestation, the article engages with debates on how border regimes are unevenly embedded within local environments, infrastructures and everyday urban life. While existing literature has extensively documented EU border enforcement, pushbacks and the management of mobility at the external borders, less attention has been paid to the internal spatialization of border regimes and to how local authorities and communities actively shape zones of containment and invisibility within a country. Based on more than seven years of long-term engagement in the region, complemented by interviews conducted during my doctoral research within the ERC project “TheGAME. Counter Mapping Informal Refugee Mobilities along the Balkan Route”, the article traces how cantonal decisions to restrict mobility, and the public protests that accompanied them, contributed to the formation of an internal border zone within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The article shows how internal borders are assembled through practices that simultaneously enable, redirect, and obstruct movement.
Thе paper examines social perceptions of the risks associated with artificial intelligence, as manifested in reactions of fear and ridicule – specifically, in notions of the technology’s superiority or inferiority in relation to humans. The aim of thе paper is to analyze this pattern by identifying the factors that contribute to AI being simultaneously an object of fear and mockery, and highlighting practical implications of such social reactions for the control of AI-related risks. Thе paper advances the argument that ridicule provides a means of articulating more plausible risks from AI than those framed through fear. Lastly, we critically examine the use of the term “existential risk” to denote the threat of AI to the survival of civilization and humankind.
The article aims to provide an analytical perspective for rethinking the essential concept of modern political theory, that of democracy, from a critical point of migration and mobility. In search of the perspective mentioned above, I follow the work of a group of authors featured in Minor Keywords of Political Theory: Migration as the critical standpoint, which critically reflects various keywords within the discourse of political theory and politics through the lens of migration. Sheldon Wolin’s concept of fugitive democracy is first introduced, which views democracy not as a stable form but as an unstable, temporary, fleeting moment of collective action. Wolin’s concept of fugitive democracy is expanded on by contributions from postcolonial theory, which have highlighted the influence of settler colonialism, imperialism and slavery on the development of modern democracy. From the perspective of postcolonial theory one historical example of fugitive democracy is analyzed: the Black frontline communities on the Underground Railroad in the Antebellum period in the US. Viewed from the perspective of postcolonial theory, the phenomenon of fugitivity not only has a temporal dimension, signifying temporary manifestations of collective power, but can also have a spatial dimension. Considering the spatial aspects of the phenomenon of fugitive democracy, fugitivity can mean flight, escape, departure, setting, and creating a sanctuary, a community of refuge, and an alternative way of life where it is possible to live freely. Therefore, I added the prefix (re-) to the concept of fugitive democracy to signify its spatial aspect, thus forming the new keyword, (re-)fugitive democracy. In the last section I follow the authors from Minor Keywords in their intention to rehabilitate the phenomenon of the mob and mass politics by seeing it as something immanent to democratic politics. In this process I critically examine their keyword “the mob” from Minor Keywords, adding essential theoretical layers to the authors’ analysis to accomplish their initial intention.
This article analyses, through an autoethnographic approach, the mismatch between visa procedure timeframes and research rhythms. It draws on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and uses selected literature and fieldnotes to show how the uncertainties and delays inherent in visa procedures intersected with the emotional and embodied experience of conducting research beyond the Schengen area. The article foregrounds the visa system as a key mechanism through which global inequalities in mobility are produced. This argument is situated within the context of the Balkan route, where policy shifts illustrate how migrants’ mobility has been restricted and governed. By contrast, as a European researcher, my own mobility is seldom structurally impeded; yet, the bureaucratic timeline of the volunteer visa procedure shaped how I accessed and inhabited the field. The autoethnographic account of the visa process traces how bureaucratic itineraries – through clinics, administrative offices, and insurance agencies – generated frictions, vulnerabilities, and alliances with local “guides”. The conclusion discusses the analytical value of this process, arguing that the bureaucratic route of the visa became a constitutive element of the research, shaping my map of the city and granting access to places that would otherwise have remained inaccessible.
The article presents and analyses material traces of irregularized migration in Trieste hinterland. Its theoretical foundations are complemented by two ethnographic fieldworks conducted in 2023 and 2025 in Trieste and its surroundings, among people who arrived in Trieste via the Balkan route and among the local inhabitants of the Trieste hinterland. The research shows that one of the key indicators of the hidden movement of people through this area is the presence of material traces at the town’s edges or within the forests. Considering the experiences of the interviewees, the article describes how diverse perceptions and terms attributed to the tangible traces of migration movements in this area are. Furthermore, it discusses the discourse that labels the material residues of irregularized migration as “waste”, which is consequently the reason for their removal from the environment. Above all, this article aims to show why researching the material traces of contemporary migration is important and necessary.
Modern life in neoliberal capitalism, predominantly deregulated and based on the principles of supply and demand to gain maximum profits, when it comes to clothing, mainly connotes the so-called fast fashion. On the other hand, it is primarily related to large textile companies that impose fashion styles on large part of the consumer. There isn‘t much room in the market for small businesses. This paper presents the activities of small entrepreneurial clothing manufacturers, and is based on direct research of entrepreneurs. The paper argues how decisions are made about the design and production of clothes, what type of clothing manufacturers are focused on and how they build a relationship with consumers. Clothing production is viewed in an economic-anthropological context, i.e. in relation to how manufacturers objectify their understanding of consumers and the market through the production program of clothing. The paper seeks to establish the correlation between the socio-economic context of clothing manufacturers and their impact on clothing culture in the conditions of the market of small economic capacity, given the globalization trends in local communities.
In this special issue, the European irregularized migration regime will be examined through an ethnographic perspective, based on studies carried out in its peripheries. Rather than treating this regime as a coherent or centralized system, the contributions trace how it is assembled through everyday practices, material environments, spatial conditions, temporalities, but also through modes of control, care and negotiation. The papers collected in this issue focus on cases drawn from Turkey, Italy, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to illustrate the way bordering and irregularization of migration occur at the margins of Europe. A set of interrelated keywords – (im)mobility, material traces, child labour, visa, solidarity networks, and (re-)fugitive democracy – structure the thematic analysis of the European irregularized migration regime as a field of practices, relations and ways of life.
In this paper, the authors give an overview of the theological and churchrelated literature that was published in Serbia during the post-socialist period, particularly focusing on the last decade of the 20th century. The paper highlights the dominant trends in the publishing industry of that time, showcasing the key monographs and periodicals that were released. Additionally, it discusses the socio-political context and influences that shaped the program directions of various publishing centers.
This paper explores the conceptualizations of spiritual fathers in Orthodox Christianity, with a focus on the narratives of believers in the Serbian Orthodox Church. It examines the role of spiritual fathers in individual religiosity and their importance in the growth of the Orthodox faithful since the late 20th century. The research is based on ethnographic material collected during the project ?Ecclesiastical and Religious Praxes of Christian Orthodox Believers in Serbia: An Anthropological Research? (2021-2023), as well as relevant academic and religious literature. The function of a spiritual father depends on social, historical, and cultural contexts, with spiritual fathers providing stability during times of crisis or serving as educators in periods of relative stability. Today, spiritual fathers integrate traditional roles with new forms of spiritual guidance, ranging from media presence to advising on the integration of religious values into modern life. The narratives of respondents emphasize the personal role of spiritual fathers in their spiritual growth, while contemporary practices point to the adaptation of religious models to meet the demands of modern life. The paper highlights that the concept of a spiritual father is dynamic, reflecting changes in the spiritual and social needs of believers. The research has shown that the role of a spiritual father (duhovnik) is multifaceted, as it includes sacramental confession, personal spiritual guidance, and, in some cases, the charismatic authority associated with an elder (starets).
This article examines the development of contemporary Orthodox sacred painting in Serbia. Much more than historical facts about the authors and their works, the following discussion focuses on identifying and analysing the stylistic development that characterises this extremely productive but still under-researched area of contemporary visual art. In this way, the reader is familiarised with the logic of the development of a dynamic and vital art scene that has evolved over the period under study from a distanced, utilitarian copying of mediaeval models, through a deep, authentic understanding and revival of the visual language of Byzantine painting, to various possibilities of creative visual and poetic reinterpretation of tradition through interaction with the widest cultural environment.
This paper explores the contemporary state of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Serbia, with a particular focus on its role in preserving the religious and cultural identity of the Romanian community. The analysis examines the historical context, demographic and socio-cultural context, and the Church?s influence on the daily lives of its members. The research is based on semistructured interviews with Romanian Orthodox clergy and an analysis of church press and official sources. The study highlights issues such as demographic decline, language barriers, and decreased interest in the Church, emphasizing its significance in preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Romanian community in modern Serbian society.
The article begins by summarizing the main legacy of Dusan Bandic, a Serbian ethnologist/anthropologist of religion, which includes the concepts of folk orthodoxy (Serbian: ??????? ???????????) and the folk religion of Serbs (Serbian: ??????? ???????? ????). These concepts are reviewed through the socio-cultural and political contexts of contemporary post-socialist and post-Yugoslav Serbia and further compared with the concept of lived religion, which was introduced in anglophone studies of religion three years after Bandic conducted fieldwork research that served as the basis for the formation of the folk orthodoxy concept. The concept of lived religion may bring multiple benefits to the deeper understanding of the worldviews of common Eastern Orthodox believers. Its analytical framework enables us to comprehend the connection between embodiment, materiality, emotions, and narratives as formative elements of religious experience. Within this framework, we search for Eastern Orthodoxy as it is being lived by its believers in their homes, everyday discourses and practices, slava and other religious celebrations, cemeteries, monasteries and other everyday and/or holy places, and view it as not as the opposition to the official Eastern Orthodox Church?s teachings but rather as its expression in a concrete context.
Text is divided in two parts. First represents introductory to thematic volume of Bulletin of Institute of Ethnography. In it, author attempts to summarize theoretical concepts and scopes of previous researches of process of reactualization of social, cultural and spiritual role of Christian Orthodoxy in Serbia during last forty years. She first returns to notions of secularization and de-secularization calling for their critical reading and after this reconsiders paradigm of religious revival in Serbian society at the end of second and first decades of third millennium. Religious renewal which took part in SOC during this period remained quite imperceptible for researchers focused on interpretation of religion through prism of re-traditionalization, ethnic identity and nationalistic sentiments during 90ties of 20th century. Parallel with developing new public and political role, SOC was directed towards liturgical renewal and other phenomenon related with this mission: publishing, education, church arts. That is why second part of the paper focuses on ethnography which is suggested to be the most direct method for understanding and interpreting Christian Orthodoxy and culture today. Paper also brings rich ethnographic material collected among church goers in SOC as well as sketch of relation between this segment of Orthodoxy versus general Orthodox Culture in Serbian Society.
The process of revitalizing religion preceded the return of religious education to the Serbian educational system. After half a century of exile, the Serbian Orthodox Church emerged into the public sphere. Confessional religious education was reintroduced in our educational system as an optional subject (2001/02). By the following school year (2002/03), religious and civic education became mandatory elective subjects. Today, after twenty-four years of their presence, debates continue regarding the status these subjects should have, which was further influenced by their rebranding from an elective subject to an elective program in 2017. Following the tragic events at ?Vladislav Ribnikar? Primary School in May 2023, amendments to the Law on the Foundations of the Education System are being announced. These changes will restore the status of religious education as an elective subject, and religion teachers will be able to sign indefinite employment contracts. The second part of the paper presents the results of empirical research on the attitudes of 4th-grade students from two high schools in Belgrade: the Mathematical Grammar School and the Geological and Hydrometeorological School, who attend religious education classes. The research aimed to determine whether students are familiar with and practice religious customs and rituals, what motivated their decision to attend religious education, and whether their expectations from the subject were met. The research was conducted in April 2023 with a random sample of 93 students. The results confirmed our hypothesis that responses would differ by school and gender.
Organ donation has been the subject of diverse discussions and a particularly relevant area of research across various disciplines in recent decades. The rapid development and application of biomedical technologies have allowed for multiple interpretations of this practice. By analyzing the perspectives of our interlocutors who closely identify as Orthodox Christian believers, we explored several pertinent themes reflected in their responses. Forming opinions based on a variety of sources, our interlocutors reveal the contradictions and nuances that characterize the social understanding and implementation of this practice. The analysis of their stories is supplemented with a critical review of the history of transplantation technology, the cultural foundations of its key principles, and the interpretations of relevant actors involved in its practice and the formation of ideas surrounding it at a given time. By focusing primarily on the practice of organ donation rather than experiences of organ recipients, we aimed to broaden the scope of research on this and similar topics within local scholarly practices.
The focus of this paper is Byzantine church music in liturgical practice in Serbia over the past three and a half decades, key figures and moments that influenced its development, as well as the role technology played in this process. During the renewal of liturgical life in the 1990s, our church environment began to question the existing state and searched for an authentic Orthodox spirituality. Thus, Byzantine chanting is slowly finding its place in worship services in the Serbian Orthodox Church. From the late 1980s to the end of the 20th century, which is the first period for the rediscovering and the rekindling of byzantine music in Serbia, learning was based on the live contact between small entusiastic groups of students and the teacher. In these days, listening to tape recordings coming from the monks of Mount Athos also played a crusial role for rediscovering this music. In the second phase, from the end of the 20th century, the rapid development of modern technologies meant that online teaching became the most popular way to access byzantine chanting. This paper analyzes the challenges, advantages and disadvantages throughout time of rediscovering and transmitting the chanting tradition.
In the introductory part, the author first analyses two basic concepts of the topic: the concept of the return of religion in the social life of Serbia, and the concept of the return of people to religion and the church. Then, in a brief overview, he presents an analysis of the state of people?s connection to religion and the church (Orthodoxy) in Serbia throughout the XX century. The central part of the paper is dedicated to the analysis of the data on popular attachment to religion and the church from the late ?80s and early ?90s until the present day. The conclusion summarizes the results of numerous sociological studies and public opinion surveys on religiosity and the connection to religion and church and offers a diagnosis of the state, scope, and limitations of the revival of Orthodoxy in Serbia.
