СONFLICTS OVER MEMORY IN CROATIA: AN ACADEMIC PUBLICATION IN THE GRIPS OF IDEOLOGY – Jasna Čapo


Author: Jasna Capo

Abstract

The paper argues that a vexed and divisive memory of Fascism and Communism persists in Croatia, with conflicts over memory regimes appearing on an everyday basis, notwithstanding that seventy and twenty-five years have elapsed since the collapse of the Ustasha (fascist) and communist regimes respectively. It is further argued that this memory divide is constantly reproduced by politicians and mainstream media. Thus, what at first sight would appear as empty signifiers—Communism and Fascism—are constantly reinforced in everyday discourse. The argument is elucidated with the case of allegations made against an academic publication.

Keywords: memory, politics, ideology, Croatia

About Jasna Capo

Professor of Ethnology. Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research. Šubićeva 42 10000 Zagreb Croatia email: capo@ief.hr