Gradually European and Diminishingly Balkan

This paper explores the cultural representation of Croatia in international guidebooks published during the process of the country’s EU-accession (2003–2013). Using a qualitative textual analysis of how the introductions’ narratives in the guidebooks depicted Croatia, this study recognises the dynam...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Zlatan Krajina
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Historical Society of Southern Primorska Koper 2025-03-01
Series:Annales, Series Historia et Sociologia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://publ.zdjp.si/index.php/ashs/article/view/114
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper explores the cultural representation of Croatia in international guidebooks published during the process of the country’s EU-accession (2003–2013). Using a qualitative textual analysis of how the introductions’ narratives in the guidebooks depicted Croatia, this study recognises the dynamic interplay of aspects from European and Balkan identity. The country was constructed as a mobile destination, moving from the Balkans into “Europe”. Croatia’s developing tourist infrastructure was highlighted to describe the country as gradually becoming “European”. Simultaneously, there was a reduction in the explicit reference to the country’s Balkan identity, its peripheral location and transitional culture. I describe this representational strategy of ongoing and incomplete movement as “controlled proximity”.
ISSN:1408-5348
2591-1775