Anthropological Analysis of Cultural Representations of Serbia and the European Union by EU Female Citizens Living in Belgrade Cover Image

Антрополошка анализа културних представа о Србији и Европској унији страних држављанки Европске уније које живе у Београду
Anthropological Analysis of Cultural Representations of Serbia and the European Union by EU Female Citizens Living in Belgrade

Author(s): Marija Brujić
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts, Gender Studies, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Migration Studies
Published by: Етнографски институт САНУ
Keywords: Europeanization of everyday life in Serbia; cultural representations; EU female citizens; European Union;

Summary/Abstract: This article researches Europeanization of everyday life in Serbia on a micro level. It combines cultural representations approach from cognitive theory with an analysis of life stories from migration studies. Thus, the paper analyses the results of in-depth semistructured interviews with eight EU female citizens from Austria, Estonia, France, Finland, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, and Slovenia. They have chosen to live in Serbia, more precisely in Belgrade from the end of 1999. The aim of the paper is to point out different cultural values and the use of diverse cultural strategies which EU female citizens utilize in their everyday life in Serbia. In the light of the “brain drain” issue in Serbia, the reasons of interlocutors to live in Serbia may represent the subject of new cultural and migratory policies in Serbia. The most significant advantage of living in Serbia for the interlocutors is the high quality of life: the possibility to have free and unorganized time which allows them to socialize more than it would be possible in the EU. However, many see benefits in the EU-integration process of Serbia, such are introduction of regulations of the environment, higher quality of health, legislative and educational system, and more efficient fight against corruption. On the other hand, as possible disadvantages of the EU-integrations, they stress the exploitation of domestic market, the loss of freedom of decision-making or rise of corruption among domestic politicians.

  • Issue Year: LXVI/2018
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 535-546
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Serbian