ABSTRACT

This article explores the significance of clothing, particularly headgear, in Azerbaijani culture from an ethnographic perspective. It delves into the historical and cultural influences shaping traditional attire, emphasizing its role as a repository of national identity, customs, and spiritual values. The study traces the evolution of Azerbaijani clothing, highlighting the fusion of diverse cultural elements and the emergence of distinctive headgear styles. Drawing on archaeological findings, the research identifies ancient examples of weaving and sericulture in Azerbaijan like Kumapa and Mingachevir, and provides insights into the historical development of clothing traditions. It also underscores the pivotal role of headgear in reflecting social status, wealth, and practical functions, especially during the Safavid era. The article examines the evolution of women’s headgear over centuries, noting the diversity of styles and regional variations. It analyzes the symbolic significance of different headdresses, such as the chungu, kalagai, and arachyn, and their enduring popularity. Similarly, it explores the diversity of male headgear, categorizing them based on materials and usage contexts. Furthermore, the article explores the cultural significance of traditional male hairstyles, highlighting their social, religious, and symbolic meanings. It also underscores the continuity of these cultural practices in contemporary Azerbaijani society, where traditional headgear remains integral to ceremonies and daily life.

In conclusion, it emphasizes the importance of headgear in preserving Azerbaijani cultural heritage and identity. It underscores the continued relevance of traditional attire in modern times, facilitated by both state policies and grassroots efforts to uphold ancestral customs. Through its meticulous analysis, the article offers valuable insights into the multifaceted role of clothing in shaping cultural narratives and fostering collective memory.

Keywords: Azerbaijan, Safavid, Ethnic identity, National costume, National headgear, Color impact

Sevdagul Aliyeva PhD in History,
Professor, Azerbaijan University of Languages
sevdagul@mail.ru
ORCID: 0009-0006-5296-1905

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to explore the influence of European architecture in Baku during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Our conclusion is as follows: during the period under consideration, the architecture of Baku occupies a special place due to the unique synthesis of Eastern style and European architectural schools. It involves examining the history of architectural development in Baku from the early 19th to the 20th centuries in comparison with other cities of the South Caucasus and investigating its main reasons.

Keywords: Architecture, Urban development, Modern art

Firuza Hayatova
PhD, head lecturer, Azerbaijan University of Languages
firuzaheyatova@yahoo.com
âOCRID; 0009-0006-1905-393X

ABSTRACT

In this article, I delve into the deep cultural and historical significance of wine in Georgia. It all started with a Georgian friend telling me, “For Georgians, wine is God”, which truly encapsulates the sacred status of wine in Georgian society. During my visits to Georgia, I was struck by the region’s rich diversity and its unique blend of European and Asian cultures. I explore the ancient origins of wine in the Caucasus, supported by archaeological findings and historical accounts. I describe the traditional Georgian winemaking method using qvevri, large clay vessels, and the cultural role of the tamada, a toastmaster who leads gatherings. I also discuss the continuity of ancient practices and the symbolic representation of wine in Georgian art and religion. Finally, I reflect on the global significance of Georgian wine traditions and their impact on our understanding of human history.

Keywords: Georgia, Wine, Qvevri, Archaeology, Winemaking, Tamada, Symbolism

Cătălin D. Constantin
University of Bucharest PhD in Philology, PhD in Architecture
de.constantin@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The Safavid state founded by Shah Ismail at the beginning of the 16th century occupies a special place in the history of Azerbaijan statehood. Shah Ismail united the lands of Azerbaijan and created a powerful empire.

The origin of Azerbaijan Safavid state is one of the issues that became the object of discussion in Azerbaijani and world historiography. In the presented research work, a number of foreign sources and historiographical works were consulted to determine the ethnic origin of the Safavid state. For instance, the Russian orientalists V. V. Bartold and A.Y. Krymsky were the first to show that the Safavid dynasty and the tribes that defended them were of Turkish (Azerbaijani) origin.

Three conceptions of Safavid ethnicity are more widespread. Most of the researchers claimed that they are of Persian or Turkish origin. Although the Safavid historiography from the 16th century shows that the genealogy of the Safavid dynasty is of Arab origin, Turkism is reflected as the main ethnic identity in the ethnic identity, life and creativity, and political activities of all the Safavid rulers.

Shah Ismayil himself and his colleagues were Azerbaijani Turks. The Safavid state was established in the territory of Azerbaijan at that time, its centers were the Azerbaijani cities of Ardabil and Tabriz. The Azerbaijani language has been dominant in the army and palace for centuries. Shah Ismail wrote his literary works in the Azerbaijani language and issued state decrees in this language.

In order to understand the positions of the Turks and Persians, it is necessary to take a brief look at the families who played a role in the formation of the Safavid state organization and the councils that played a key role in its administration. As is known, the Qizilbash nobles and their nobles (emirs) played an important role in the structure of the Safavid state. Most of these families were Turkish descents.

Keywords: Safavid state, Ethnic identity,Turks, Azerbaijan

Sevinj Gurbanova senior teacher,
Department of Regional Studies Azerbaijan University of Languages
sevinc.qurbanova.adu@gmail.com
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8670-7829

ABSTRACT

The article explores the ethnic features of the Molokans, who first appeared in Russia in the mid-18th century with the support of Semyon Uklein. They followed the Bible but refused many church rites and worshiped Orthodox saints and images. Their central message was the second coming of Christ and the establishment of a millennium kingdom in which only true Christians would enter. Molokanism caused discontent in the state, which led to the decree of Emperor Nicholas I on the recognition of the Molokanism heresy. Despite this, the Molokans gained freedom in the Caucasus, where they could practice their religion without significant restrictions. Then there is a retrospective of the settlement by the Molokans of Azerbaijan. In 1834, the Molokans established the first village of Alty Agach in the mountain valley of the Atachay River. The Molokan population continued to expand, and in 1840-1849 villages such as Hilmilli, Maraz, Chuhur-Yurt, Jabani, Astrakhanka, and Ivanovka appeared near Baku.

The article also describes modern Ivanovka – a well-maintained rural village with solid houses, clean streets, and prosperous agriculture in the Ismailin district. Residents are proud of Nikitin Nikolai Vasilyevich, the founder of the collective farm, which in the time of the Soviet Union played a large role in the development of the post-war period. The problem of maintaining the ethnic characteristics of rural Molokan settlements persists. Many young people leave their homes searching for education and career opportunities, which challenges maintaining ethnic and cultural identity.

Nevertheless, the research shows that the Molokans in Azerbaijan preserve their ethnic identity through clothing, nutrition culture, religious ceremonies, and preparation for funerals. The older generations of the Molokan community attach great importance to the way of life, they always attend meetings and refuse to consume alcohol. Families maintain a strict hierarchy of seniority.

Keywords: Molokans, Doukhobors, Azerbaijan, Ethnic identity, Ivanovka, Clothing, Cuisine, Rituals

Elshan Isayev
Azerbaijan University of Languages, Azerbaijan
elshanisayev378@gmail.com
ORCID: 0009-0006-2634-8437

ABSTRACT

Georgia, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant literary tradition, offers a captivating tapestry through which myths and legends of the region are vividly portrayed. At the heart of this exploration lies Nino Haratischvili’s The Eighth Life (for Brilka), a family saga that intertwines the personal and the historical against the backdrop of Georgia’s tumultuous past. Haratischvili’s novel serves as a gateway into the world of Georgian mythology and folklore, seamlessly weaving these elements into the fabric of her narrative. Through the lives of the Jashi family, spanning over a century of Georgian history, readers are introduced to a myriad of mythical creatures, heroic figures, and supernatural beings that populate Georgian folklore. The secret recipe for a mysterious chocolate drink, passed down through generations, becomes emblematic of the enduring power of tradition and the interplay between myth and reality. Georgian literature serves as a mirror reflecting the soul of a nation shaped by centuries of myth and legend. Through the lens of contemporary writers, these myths are not merely relics of the past but living entities that continue to shape the collective imagination of the Georgian people, and to reveal the mysteries that lie at the

heart of Georgia’s cultural identity.

Keywords: Postmemory, Cultural heritage, Georgia, myths, symbols

Alina Cosma
Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest
alina.cosma@litere.unibuc.ro

ABSTRACT

The Inner City (Icheri Sheher) of Baku, the historical center that emerged during the medieval period, is characterised by high population density combined with efficient social comfort. Historically established Muslim cities have undergone development in the modern era on a completely new, non-traditional ways, for Eastern culture. As a result, a regularly planned new city of European type has been appended to the historical medieval city, without merging into a unified organism with it. This has led to distortion of the historical core, and superficial interest in heritage preservation has caused fragmented reconstruction of individual monuments

Keywords: Azerbaijan, Baku, Icheri Sheher, Islamic city concept, Eastern city core, Structural factors

Sabir Orujov
Head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies;

dos. Aytan Salimova,
Faculty of Urbanism, Baku Engineering University

ABSTRACT

The architectural heritage of Azerbaijan is a rich tapestry that reflects the country’s diverse history and cultural evolution. Azerbaijan, strategically located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, has a history deeply intertwined with the extraction and production of oil, with Baku often referred to as the birthplace of the oil industry. This historical significance is echoed in the city’s architectural landscape, which showcases a blend of ancient and modern influences.

The early history of oil extraction in Azerbaijan dates back to ancient times, with oil wells being tapped as early as the 3rd century AD. The 19th century marked a pivotal era with the establishment of the first mechanically drilled oil well in Baku in 1847 and the subsequent involvement of prominent oil barons like the Nobel Brothers and the Rothschild Family. Their contributions went beyond oil extraction; they invested heavily in infrastructure, education, and architecture, significantly shaping Baku’s urban development.

Baku’s architectural legacy is characterized by a blend of styles, including Gothic, Baroque, Soviet, and contemporary designs. Notable historical landmarks include the Temple of Fire (Ateshgah), the Burning Mountain (Yanar Dag), and numerous buildings influenced by Polish architects during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Soviet era brought further transformations, with constructivist, Stalinist, and modernist styles leaving their mark on the city’s architectural landscape.

The post-independence period, marked by the signing of the “Contract of the Century” in 1994, ushered in a new era of economic growth and modernization. This period saw the construction of iconic modern structures such as the Flame Towers, Heydar Aliyev Center, and Port Baku Tower, symbolizing Baku’s aspirations as a global city. These developments have not only enhanced the city’s skyline, but also attracted international attention, boosting tourism and economic growth.

The purpose of the paper is to explore and document the rich architectural history and evolution of Azerbaijan, with a particular focus on the capital city, Baku. The paper aims to highlight historical significance and trace the origins and development of Azerbaijan’s architectural heritage, emphasizing the role of oil extraction in shaping the region’s economic and cultural landscape from ancient times to the modern era; showcase architectural diversity and examine the various architectural styles and influences present in Baku, ranging from Gothic and Baroque to Soviet and contemporary designs, reflecting the city’s dynamic history and cultural interactions; acknowledge key contributions of significant figures such as the Nobel Brothers, the Rothschild Family, and notable Polish architects who played pivotal roles in the development of Baku’s infrastructure and architectural identity; analyze modern developments by discussing the impact of the “Contract of the Century” and the ensuing third oil boom on modern architectural developments in Baku, highlighting iconic structures that symbolize the city’s ambitions as a global metropolis; and preserve cultural heritage by documenting these architectural achievements in order to preserve and promote awareness of Azerbaijan’s cultural and historical heritage, emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional elements with modern innovations. Therefore, the paper serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the architectural legacy of Azerbaijan, illustrating how historical, economic, and cultural factors have collectively shaped the built environment of Baku.

In conclusion, the architectural heritage of Azerbaijan, particularly in Baku, is a testament to the country’s historical and cultural evolution. From ancient oil wells to modern architectural marvels, Baku’s landscape reflects its rich history and dynamic future. As Azerbaijan continues to harness its oil wealth, the legacy of its architectural heritage will continue to grow, blending the old with the new and showcasing the country’s unique cultural identity.

Keywords: Architectural Heritage, Baku, Oil industry, Cultural legacy, Urban evolution

Iosefina Blazsani-Batto PhD,
Faculty of European Studies, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca;
Teachers’ Training Center of Sibiu, Romania
iosebatto@yahoo.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-7975-3800

ABSTRACT

This article presents a detailed exploration of Georgia, based on the author’s personal observations and experiences during visits to Tbilisi, Batumi, and other locations. The author emphasizes the importance of walking with heightened sensory awareness as a crucial tool for anthropologists. Drawing from diary entries, the narrative interweaves historical, cultural, and social insights, providing a rich tapestry of Georgia’s diverse landscapes and traditions. Through descriptive accounts and reflective commentary, the author offers a nuanced perspective on Georgia’s complex identity, shaped by its geographic and historical context. This anthropological journey also illustrates the methodological approaches in ethnographic fieldwork, blending personal engagement with scholarly analysis.

Keywords: Georgia, Religious practices, Cultural heritage, Travel notes

Cristina Bogdan anthropologist,
Faculty of Letters University of Bucharest
cristina.bogdan@litere.unibuc.ro

ABSTRACT

Known as the oldest holiday in the world, Nowruz is known as the “messenger of spring” and “new day”. Celebrated under hundreds of names for 5,000 years, Nowruz is one of the most important holidays among the Turkic peoples, which preserves cultural heritage. Nowruz, a symbol of abundance, blessing, love, brotherhood and friendship, is celebrated as a national holiday.

All kinds of dishes, fruits, and sweets are laid out on the tables during Nowruz holiday, which is closed and widely celebrated by the Azerbaijani people. The decoration of the table is malt. Of course, in this case, flowers, water, mirrors, and gold items are not missing from the table. When food is brought to the table, candles are lit in the name of each family member. According to tradition, everyone should be at home on the day of the holiday. They should forget the sadness, be in a cheerful mood and say nice words to each other.

Nowruz was accepted as a holiday in Turkey in 1995. In the Turkish calendar, a day is divided into 12 parts, and each part is called a day. Nowruz is celebrated on March 21, when day and night unite as a new year. This day and the beginning of the new year is called Yılgayak.

In Kazakhstan, Nowruz is called “Nauriz”. “Nauryz” means the birth of spring. But the holiday has other names. In Kazakhstan, on the occasion of Nowruz, people wear new clothes and visit each other. The main dish of the ceremony is “nauriz-koje”, which includes 7 ingredients. It symbolizes the 7 elements of life. These include meat, water, salt, fat, flour, grains and milk. Kazakhs also jump over the bonfire. It should also be noted that Nowruz Holiday has been officially celebrated in Kazakhstan since 2001.

On September 30, 2009, as a result of the efforts of Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Nowruz holiday was included in the list of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. On February 23, 2010, at the meeting of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, March 21 was declared “International Nowruz Day”.

Keywords: Nowruz, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan

Aygun Soltanzade
Azerbaijan University of Languages, Azerbaijan
aygunsoltanzade93@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0001-6647-8478

ABSTRACT

From ancient times to the present, people do not live in a closed society, but in communication with different peoples. Over the centuries, thoughtful steps have been taken for the peaceful coexistence of peoples and nations in the world, and a dialogue of cultures has emerged between different peoples. Through the ages, this dialogue has opened the doors to friendly and good neighborly relations between peoples. As a result, trusting relationships were formed between countries and peoples. The article analyzes ways to find solutions in the direction of consensus and dialogue in modern-world conflicts. The importance of multiculturalism policy in the environment of tolerance of different cultures in the development of international dialogue and coexistence is brought to the center of attention. The preservation of the cultures of ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan among the minority peoples of the South Caucasus, as well as the activities of representatives of different religions in the environment of coexistence for centuries, are deeply investigated. In addition to playing an important role in the social and political life of the country, the various peoples living in Azerbaijan have preserved their ethnic characteristics, religions, traditions and languages and kept them alive until today. Ethnonational and religious values occupy a special place in national spiritual values. In this direction, the importance of the policy of multiculturalism is emphasized in the direction of creating an environment of tolerance and multiculturalism, interethnic, interreligious, intercultural mutual dialogue, and ways to ensure peace in society on the territory of Azerbaijan. Multiculturalism is considered a hallmark of a democratic society.

Keywords: Multiculturalism, Coexistence, Ethnic minorities, Human rights, tolerance, dialogue

Humeyra Mustafayeva
PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor “General subjects” head of department
Baku Engineering University
hmustafayeva@beu.edu.az
ORCID: 0000-0001-9656-5783

ABSTRACT

The study, conducted within the fields of modern ethnology and cultural anthropology, revealed certain similarities between the household cultures of the peoples living in Azerbaijan and the United States. One of these is tea culture, which the majority of people worldwide partake in. Despite its long history, tea has gained popularity in both the United States and Azerbaijan in the modern era. Tea culture is believed to have been introduced to Azerbaijan by the Mongols, who arrived there via the Silk Road, having learned the art of tea-making from the Chinese. Following this, tea became the nation’s most popular drink, enjoyed by Azerbaijan’s middle and lower classes, along with the ruling elite. It is known that people from various ethnic groups (African-Americans, Euro-Americans, Asians, Latin Americans, etc.) live in the United States. U.S. culture, with its diverse values, is a Western culture shaped by traditions brought by African slaves and European immigrants. Tea, introduced to New Amsterdam (now New York) in the mid-17th century by the Dutch, who arrived during the establishment of colonies in the United States, became an integral part of social and domestic rituals in the American colonies. Cold tea gradually began to replace hot tea in formal invitations and celebrations. Iced tea, a well-known drink, has recently gained popularity in Azerbaijan. The American technique of tea brewing gained international recognition due to the widespread use and production of packaged tea, which began in 1908. The American tradition of tea drinking has endured despite the “Boston Tea Party” of 1773 and the Philadelphia Congress’s 1774 ban on the sale and use of tea, which led to a decline in consumption.

Keywords: Azerbaijan, USA, Tea culture, Ice tea, Boston tea party

Sakina Niftaliyeva
Doctoral student of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after A.A. Bakikhanov of ANAS
Email: sekinenifteliyeva.adu@gmail.com
ORCID: 0009-0005-0502-249X

ABSTRACT

The text examines Queen Tamar of Georgia, exploring her multifaceted representation in art and embroidery. Tamar is depicted as an angel, an eagle, and a monarch, emphasizing her divine right to rule and her prominent role in Eastern Christianity. Her portrayal integrates influences from Byzantine and post-Byzantine traditions, Russian iconography, and Persian Safavid artistry. The embroidery from Epirus and the Angel of Lefkada highlight symbolic elements, such as regal attire and imperial motifs, reflecting Tamar’s legacy. This blend of cultural and historical elements illustrates the enduring impact of Tamar’s image in the art of Eastern Christian societies.

Keywords: Epirus embroidery, Byzantine tradition, Queen Tamar of Georgia, Symbolic wedding scene, Post-Byzantine art

Vasso Rokou
University of Ioannina
vasorokou@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The subjectivity of the gaze distinguishes its very nature and differentiates us as humans. The mosaic of perceptions confronting the city in 2024 helps identify both societal states and our own sensitivity. From this element, we analyze urban space as a unique, personal context of individual identity.

Every city has a central square, its nucleus, indispensable and strongly linked to the community. In every urban settlement, there are varying levels of visual perception influenced by its own and other temporarily established cultures. Another historical landmark closely linked to a city is the main street.

For Bucharest, Calea Victoriei has been the main attraction since its construction. The most impactful message is the symbol. For Umberto Eco, basic symbols are words, texts, but this can be extrapolated. Just as texts can have multiple interpretations, so can an architectural complex like Calea Victoriei. These interpretations vary over time. In the Middle Ages, meanings were accepted rigidly, but the Renaissance allowed all interpretations, even contradictory ones. It’s uncertain if the architects of Calea Victoriei imagined infinite interpretations, but meanings were added by the recipients.

Calea Victoriei is alive. To demonstrate how vanished monuments influenced architecture, I chose the lost Saadabad Palace, built by Sultan Ahmed III near Constantinople. The palace was destroyed, but it remained in people’s memory, explaining levels of interpretation, especially from visual perception. There are five levels: urban landscape structure, religious buildings, residential architecture, ornamentation, and infrastructure. The main street of any city is crucial. Calea Victoriei highlights historical, anthropological, entertainment elements, and what makes a street the attraction of a city.

Keywords: Memory of the Place, Perception, Architecture, Subjectivism, Main street, Identity space

Lucia Neaga
PhD in Architecture
lucia.neaga@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Albania, located in the southwest of the Balkans, was a closed country governed by an isolation policy similar to that of present-day North Korea between 1945 and 1991. Under this regime, all domestic and foreign travel was subject to permissions, strict controls, and mostly prohibitions. This made Albania physically integrated into the European continent but humanly and economically disconnected, almost as isolated as a remote island. There were a limited number of state-owned vehicles and hotels in the city, which were used for the accommodation of party officials, visiting diplomatic guests, or for the mobility of people within the country during events. Tourism was seen as a threat to the regime because it increased the interaction of the country’s people with the outside world, and therefore, the country remained isolated between 1945 and 1991. After this half-century-long isolation policy, Albania discovered tourism, began to utilize its attractions thanks to its riviera position, increased its interactions with surrounding countries, and became one of the countries hosting more tourists than its population. At this point, this study, conducted to emphasize the touristic features of the city of Tirana, was developed and updated on a chapter from the 2013 doctoral thesis titled “Natural Environment and Human Relations of the City of Tirana and its Surroundings.” In the study, strategies, documents, laws, regulations, national and international reports related to global and local trends in the tourism sector were also consulted. Additionally, basic trends were analyzed and compared based on data obtained from publications by the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the Bank of Albania, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, UNWTO, WTTC, and the Department of Geography at the University of Tirana, as well as other relevant sources. Conflicting and uncontextualized figures were not considered, and information that would meet the study’s objectives was preferred. The transformative impact of tourism on space, urban transformation, and the attraction effect created by the country’s unique position were addressed, and the road networks and their effects on neighboring countries without sea access were considered. Finally, during face-to-face interviews with individuals who lived during the communist period, information about the conditions of that period was sought, and the touristic attractions and tourism-related problems in the country’s capital were detailed.

Keywords: Albania, Tirana, Tourism, Tourism Geography, Communism.

PhD Bekir Yüksel Hoş
yukselhos@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-3136-0896

ABSTRACT

The article explores the relationship between law and medicine from a comparative jurilinguistic perspective, highlighting historical and cultural connections between these fields. Historically, law and medicine have been closely linked, exemplified by figures such as Moses Maimonides, who was both a physician and an expert in Jewish law. The concept of healing is central in both restorative justice and medical practice, reflecting a modern trend in justice to address conflicts through a therapeutic lens. The terminology of restorative justice includes medical-related terms, suggesting a holistic and humanistic approach to justice. This interdisciplinary synthesis is evident in contemporary legal movements that promote justice as a healing act for society. The study emphasizes the importance of a comparative approach in jurilinguistics to better understand how language and concepts are shared and adapted between these fields.

Keywords: Jurilinguistics, Restorative justice, Healing, Physicians and lawmakers, Holistic approach, Interdisciplinarity

Corina Veleanu PhD,
Associate Professor – Legal and Business English
CeRLA – Centre de recherche en linguistique appliquée
Université Lumière Lyon 2
corina.veleanu@univ-lyon2.fr

ABSTRACT

This research embarks on a comparative analysis of cinematic representations of Otherness, focusing on the seminal film “Midnight Cowboy” (1969), its setting within the dynamic landscape of 1960s New York City, and its enduring relevance in understanding contemporary urban America.

The concept of “Otherness” has long been a focal point in the realm of cultural studies, sociology, anthropology and film theory. It delves into the complex ways in which individuals or groups are perceived as different, alien, or marginalized within a given societal context. In the context of cinema, the portrayal of Otherness has served as a powerful lens through which to examine the intricacies of urban life, identity, and social dynamics.

The paper incorporates anthropological and sociological theories to underpin discussions of Otherness in cinema. These theories provide a robust framework for understanding how cinematic representations of Otherness contribute to contemporary dialogues on diversity, identity, and social representation.

We aim to highlight the ways in which “Midnight Cowboy” (1969) as well as other contemporary cinematic productions not only reflect the complexities of urban life, but also serve as windows into the enduring struggles and triumphs of individuals navigating the diverse landscapes of modern America.

Keywords: the Other, marginalization, queerness, urbanization, New York, cinematography

Eliana Isabella RADU

Head of the Public Relations, Marketing, Cultural Projects and Education Dept., The Bucharest Municipality Museum

ellieradu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Edith Wharton uses New York City in The Age of Innocence (1920) to create a multi- dimensional setting and a metaphorical space that enriches the narrative and provides insight into the complexities of the Gilded Age society. This paper is divided into two sections: the first, titled, “The Real Space,” which describes the Gilded Age era in New York and the second section, “The Imagined Space,” which follows places and spaces in Wharton’s cartography, that turn the city into a character and the built environment into a unique map. These urban spaces play a significant role in the lives of the characters, particularly Newland Archer and Ellen Olenska, as they represent places, relationships, and possibilities that exist in the characters’ minds, often in contrast to the constraints of the society and social norms of the Gilded Age.

Keywords: New York City, literary cartography, social norm, Edith Wharton

Andreea COSMA

Ovidius University Constanţa

ABSTRACT

The article explores the controversial, sometimes squalid beauty of New York City in the 1970s and 1980s, and the way in which these decades, fascinating, yet frowned upon by the establishment, generated a fertile subcultural bohemia in music, visual arts, films; it also explores how it has become an iconic period for filmmakers in the 1990s and beyond.

Keywords: New York City, urban decay, HIV, experimental art, film, Todd Philips, subcultures, ethos.

Florian Andrei VLAD

Ovidius University, Constanța

af_vlad@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Modern poetry shows that spatial representations are crucial for the aesthetic experience, going beyond just mapping locations. The study of spatial representation in poetry is a specific practice within literary criticism. It explores various types of spaces, such as emotional, political, and identity spaces, to understand the complexity of language’s connection to the physical world, also known as landguage or langscaping. In this article, I will analyze the case of Alex Dimitrov, a first-generation immigrant to the United States, and how his poetry portrays space. Using theories from authors like Henri Lefebvre, Edward W. Soja, and Robert T. Tally Jr., I want to study how empirical and imagined spaces interact in the mental map of New York, as found in Dimitrov’s poetry.

Keywords: Alex Dimitrov, poetry, New York, literary cartography, space, identity, literary mapping

Mădălina STOICA

madalina.stoica@365.univ-ovidius.ro

ABSTRACT

Mona Momescu

“The City”, the “Big Apple”, or the frightening “Gotham”, “The City So Nice

They Named It Twice”, and above all, “The City that Never Sleeps” is a concert ofimages, smells, of its perfect geometry of avenues and crossing streets; it is also a visual contrasting symphony of wide avenues and winding and windy narrow alleys with a counterpoint of perfect sunsets in July; the majestic Hudson and the Atlantic Ocean, the wild beaches at Far Rockaway, the swerving humanity of all races, languages, and cultures, all of these make New York the ultimate metropolis and the whole World. New York is 5^th Avenue, the unmistakable smell of fresh and of day-old bagels, the watered down coffee that everyone hates but everyone keeps on drinking; it is the aristocratic ritual of concerts at Carnegie Hall, and the pain and sorrow of the humanity crammed in poor neighborhoods, people who rarely experience the iconic New York, that is Manhattan. New York has also been, recently, the center of weaponized disappointments of social groups, ethnic groups, of a humanity that brought their “tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free”, as Irving Berlin wrote, to a promised land. Thus, the city and the world reinvent themselves, the new reality redesigns maps, hierarchies, colors and sounds.

Max Tzinman, an architect by training, and a well-established visual artist and gallerist “writes” the never-ending story of New York and writes “to New York” and to the world a long, affectionate digital art story.

To him, the City is everything: the old Babylon, and the pure, perfect world before we sinned into modernity; it is Central Park protected by a feminine deity. In his vision, New York is solitude, emptiness, beauty and contemplation that all make the human soul soar into the sky, sitting on the ledge of a skyscraper. New York is the real global world, although the earth globe seems, in his work, more of a holiday adornment for the tower that pierces through the sky. Tzinman’s New York is the epitome of happiness and loneliness, a unique place that carries the burden of its many names, many faces, and infinite narratives.

Max TZINMAN

maxt222@gmail.com http://www.theflyingcannibal.com/

ABSTRACT

Based on an archive unexplored so far, namely that of the St.Dumitru Romanian Orthodox Church in Manhattan (Romanian Orthodox Parish “St. Dumitru”), the paper reflects on the complicated history of the Romanian-American community shaped its modern identity, and its relations to New York City, the official, other communities, and with the “old country” (Romania), within a decade (1939-1949).

It also examines how the new identity of the community was supported by the Romanian-American sacred space, and how this became a matrix of language and culture preservation and transformation, of political and social consciousness, and of post-WW II engagement with ethnic and political injustice.

Keywords: Romanian-Americans, New York City, sacred space, D. Gusti, V. Hațegan, space/time mapping, identity.

Mona MOMESCU

Ovidius University Constanta

mona_momescu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In October 2021 the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York launched an exhibition themed Native New York. Designed to offer visitors an immersive experience of the histories and world views of Indigenous nations native to what is known today as the state of New York and New York City, the exhibition maps the area as a Native home, highlights Indigenous people’s contributions to the building of America, and reclaims continued presence. My article explores how the exhibition’s curators and contributors build a counter-story to the myth of the “vanishing Indian” and blends references to poems by contemporary Native American writers into this exhibition review of sorts to emphasize how Indigenous artists seek to decolonize America as text and artifact.

Keywords: Indigenous, New York, map, “survivance,” counter-narrative

Cornelia VLAICU

corneliavlaicu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Türkiye, is a vibrant city that reflects the rich tapestry of cultural diversity present in the country. As an epicentre of economic, political, and social activity, the city of Ankara has attracted people from various backgrounds, contributing to its multicultural fabric. The city acts as a magnet, attracting people from diverse backgrounds who bring with them their traditions, languages, and customs. This has created a rich and dynamic cultural fabric, showcasing the coexistence of different ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups. While Ankara has undoubtedly embraced cultural diversity, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges that may arise. There is an ongoing endeavour to ensure equal opportunities and social integration for all residents, regardless of their cultural background. It requires fostering an inclusive environment where dialogue, understanding and respect are promoted.

The motivation for writing such an article is to show that cultural diversity is a vital and valuable element of Ankara that deserves to be explored, appreciated and protected. This provides an important step in promoting social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and building a more harmonious society. This article aims to provide a case study on the mapping of cultural diversity in contemporary Ankara, exploring the ways in which the communities that coexist within the city shape its cultural landscape.

Keywords: cultures, diversity, Ankara, migration, interculturalism.

Alina Iftime,

Romanian Language Institute, Bucharest, Romania /

Ankara University, Türkiye alinaiftime@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This article is dedicated to Francisc J.Rainer and to the innovations he brought in anthropological research. Francisc Rainer was born in 1874, and graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 1903; he was a professor of anatomy and embryology at the Faculty of Medicine in Iaşi/Jassy (1913-1920), and then at the Faculty of Medicine in Bucharest (1920- 1940). His deep interest in the anatomy, embryology and anthropology of the Romanians resulted in extensive research on the population of a number of villages in the Carpathian Mountains, on craniology of the Romanians, on the anthropology of Romanian students and on blood groups in Romania; he participated in field research in the Carpathians, 1927(Drăguş), 1928(Nereju) and 1932 (Fundul Moldovei) within the sociological project as “the science of nation”, coordinated by Dimitrie Gusti.

Keywords: Francisc J.Rainer, anthropology, craniology, ethnic diversity.

Adrian MAJURU

Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism – Bucharest

Faculty of Urbanism adimajuru@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Human nature, culture, is inextricably associated with biological nature, with the biological, in a way that makes them inseparable. Neither can be ignored, neither is above the other, and neither can be put aside except for reasons pertaining to a research strategy. There is a network of relations between the cultural and the biological, a dense and complex system of relationships. This system of relations has not yet been fully revealed.

It is an honourable challenge for modern-day anthropology to highlight, even partially, this system that gives human meaning to our species.

The urban environment has its particularities, various factors that can stimulate or block the uninterrupted process of human becoming, or even reverse the direction of the process. A comparison can be made with the rural environment.

Somewhere in the area of inter-human communication, physiognomy is also featured, as a non-verbal element involved in communication. The face is the mirror of the soul. If the soul is in pain, in complete resignation, in the vicinity of joy or serenity, all these feelings are communicated to others via the features of the face. We communicate with the soul. The question that might be asked, even on a historical scale, is: What happens to our faces from one historical period to another?

Keywords: physiognomy, urban anthropology, culture, biology, profession

Adrian Majuru

The Bucharest Municipality Museum/Manager adimajuru@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This project aims to bring to the fore two societies that are far apart (in both distance and culture), but which have a lot in common. Two different cultural spaces, two different territories, two painters who had never met, two ladies who had only social status in common. Given all these aspects, the idea of this study is to highlight the striking similarities by comparing the two portraits set in the context of late 19^th century urban culture in Europe.

Keywords:Mişu Popp, Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz, Amalia de Llano y Dotres

Adrian Majuru – The Bucharest Municipality Museum/Manager adimajuru@gmail.com

Ana Arsinca – The Bucharest Municipality Museum/Museographer arsinca_ana@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Post-mortem facial reconstruction is a technique that uses anatomical knowledge of the human skull to flesh out the face of a deceased individual. Forensic artists work with law enforcement to identify victims of crime when skeletonized remains are found. Archaeologists use the same technique to learn what a person who lived and died long before photographs may have looked like.

The skull of Michael the Brave (1558-1601), ruler of Romanian principalities in 1600, was photographed around 1918-1920, and the Manchester three-dimensional data were used for peg anthropological analysis. Based on these new technologies, a physical model of the skull was obtained and used for facial reconstruction according to forensic art methods. Finally, the reconstructed face was compared with contemporary portraits of Michael the Brave (like Aegidus Sadeler or Domenicos Custos portraits)

Keywords: facial reconstruction, forensic art, historical figures, Michael the Brave

Octavian BUDA Prof. Dr., Chair for the History of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest  octavian.buda@umfcd.ro

ABSTRACT

The need for a cult of personality was justified as a projection and symbolic exertion of the power of dictatorial regimes, irrespective of their particular alignment to extremist right or left-wing ideologies. The present study showcases several historical examples of the creation of personality cult iconographies for the leaders of the modern Romanian state (1939-1989), from those of the royal Carlist dictatorship to those of the later Communist Party.

Keywords: CArol II, Ceaușescu, personality

Cosmin Năsui Historian, art critic and manager at modernism.ro  cosmin@cosminnasui.com

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, a lot of attention is directed towards the development of medium and large cities in Romania, as they are being considered major elements of potential in terms of social, economic and natural capital. They represent the key pillars able to ensure the much- coveted territorial cohesion, so hard to achieve in a country where many cities are still facing socio-economic decline. In this context, however, many Romanian cities are left behind – the small cities, with a few tens of thousands of inhabitants, whose label is very often that of shrinking cities. These ghost towns define a considerable part of the Romanian urbanized space and are (mostly) characterized by high migration rates, high unemployment, poor offer in terms of economic activities and leisure opportunities – and implicitly hopelessness, pessimism and a lack of urban vitality…in a nutshell, a negative dynamic in most respects. A sound example in this regard is represented by the former coal mining cities in Jiu Valley, whose activity decreased considerably after the fall of the communist regime (4 out of the 15 mines are still functional¹) and whose inhabitants suddenly passed in the 90s from the status of „heroes of labor” (Udisteanu et al, 2019) to that of „mass manipulators” and aggressors representing the political will of the times (associated with the three mining raids in 1990, 1991 and 1999). Furthermore, in the post-industrial era, the miner seems to have lost completely his practical and symbolic significance in the society, being suspended somewhere between the memory of the glorious and secure past and the uncertain future. The current article presents the socio-economic and affective implications that the sudden and brutal end of the mining activity brought in the Jiu Valley, focusing mainly on the deep, inalienable connections created between the workers and the mines, but also between miners themselves, as well as on the spatial and social factors that contributed to the occurrence of these bounds.

Keywords:monoindustrial, mining, Jiu Valley, shrinkage, social

Ioana-Natalia Măgureanu PhDc. Ioana-Natalia Măgureanu, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning, RO, natalia.onesciuc13@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

It is thought that there is 7.9 billion people on earth as of 2022. The two main countries holding this population stock are China, closely followed by India, which is expected to surpass China in the near future. In India, which is the subject of this study, five different cities were visited in 2013 and so the discrepancies between the statistical data and the situations shown by the land itself were analyzed on-site. In addition, members of the society from very different religions were interviewed, the situation of people from different castes, who constitute the dominant religious group, the Hindu faith, was analyzed on the spot, and an idea was obtained about the participation in the state and local administrations in terms of their population. The case of India has not been sufficiently studied in the literature to include examples of its population policy, management of a large population, control of the population, societies, and democracies not being dominated by a group of particular people of a region. In this study, these will be revealed and the effects of population policies on the development and administration of the country will be examined.

Keywords:India, Population, Population Policy, Political Geography

Bekir Yüksel HOŞ Dr. Öğr. Üys, Bekir Yüksel HOŞ, Trakya Üniversitesi, Balkan Araştırma Enstitüsü, Edirne, yukselhos@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

In the context of globalization, the distinctive elements that can add character and value to an area, are becoming more and more vital. The reuse of industrial heritage plays an extremely important part in the identity consolidation struggle.

The objective of this study is to highlight the functional conversion potential of the declining industrial areas in Romania. This will be achieved through the understanding of their ascension and decline, and the impact they had both on the cities and on their people, and through some relevant case studies. Matadero Madrid, the site of a former slaughterhouse in Spain, The Ark, a building from the old Bucharest Customs and The Water Tower of the Romanian Drapery, also in Bucharest.

This study presents some important aspects, which should be considered for the correct reuse of the built heritage, and proposes possible solutions for the problems that stand in the way of quality urban renewal in Romania.

Keywords urban renewal, functional conversion, industrial heritage, culture

Vlad Dobrescu University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu” Bucharest, Faculty of Urbanism  vladut.dobrescu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Shrinking cities – ville rétrécissante (shrunken city) ou ville en déclin (city in decline) “URBAN CONTRACTION is the result of a complex overlap of factors, describing a phenomenon that manifests itself quantitatively and qualitatively within a city or parts of it.” I.P. Constantinescu There are four types of contractions observable in a territory. The socio-cultural contraction that mainly refers to the closure of urban facilities such as theaters, cinemas, gyms, cultural houses, social hostels. Physical shrinkage can be observed through the deterioration of historic buildings, abandoned spaces, ruin or demolition more often than new construction. The economic contraction is manifested by the lack of jobs, falling real estate values, and the demographic contraction is based on the global indicator, which counts the population declines in a certain period. The “shrinking” phenomenon does not take into account “how big is the affected urban space”, but focuses on the intuitive perception of the space – how it is seen, how it is lived, what it can be used for. He is a negative phenomenon for the gradual and silent destruction of the city, because over time the particular order of each city disappears. The phenomenon of “shrinking” cannot be confused with the phenomenon of “sprawl”, because it is a slower but sure process that asserts itself, in particular, through the decline of areas with increased vulnerability. The phenomenon, in its embryonic state, starts from the center of the urban territory and extends to the maximum limit of the same territory, progressively decreasing the number of inhabitants due to the lack of activities that generate labor. The restoration, reinvention and revival of the former industrial cities of socialist Romania have their own life cycles. The process of restoring a former depopulated socialist industrial center stretches over a long period, there is a permanent need for perspective studies through which development scenarios for a “future smart city” are drawn, so that the municipality can use its resources intelligently with the aim to fade from the “shrinkage” effects. Amid the current crises, there have been regions directly affected by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, such as Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine, Succeva, Victoria, Giurgiu in Romania resulting in reports of population decline and infrastructure damage due to ongoing hostilities. The current conflict led to the displacement of the population from Ukraine to Romanian cities, with many residents having to seek refuge in other neighboring countries. This population movement produced a decline in the urban population. The impact of the conflict on the overall stability and security of the regions discouraged investment and hindered economic growth, contributing to the shrinking of cities in the long term. Regarding the connection between the pandemics and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, it is worth noting that although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected both Ukraine and Russia being considered a global health crisis, it is not directly related to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict per se. However, the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, combined with the ongoing conflict, has exacerbated the challenges facing cities in northern Romania. In order to determine the deeper understanding of urban dynamics and the shrinking of cities in Romania, especially in cities located near the border with the Ukrainian population in the context of simultaneous crises, strategies and policies were identified to blunt the negative effects in cities.

Keywords: new normal; urban resilience; war-resilience; urban sustainability; healthy cities

Alexandra-Georgeta Beldiman doctoral student, Doctoral School of Urban Planning, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest, Romania

ABSTRACT

In anthropological research, the concept of home has received several meanings, from a simple framework for the development of various social relationships (e.g., kinship)

– a way to order society – to a symbol of distinct cultural beliefs. Recent studies advance a distinction between house (or household) and home, where the house suggests the material forms, mirroring the dominant norms of society, and the home is defined by the subjective aspects that influence the formation of the individual, comprising feelings of rootedness, safety and worth.

Observing this new approach, my research analyzes a complex and multifaceted cultural setting, namely the interior of the house, from three perspectives: the material culture (interior), the sociability (intimity), and the lifestyle modernization (affinity).

Accompanying the phenomenon of family values exaltation and national identity affirmation, the sumptuous examples of elite residences, that set the atmosphere of Belle Époque Bucharest, were vehicles through which their owners displayed their education, values, and aspirations. Through design and rules of sociability, the ideal framework of family life, in perfect symmetry with the national project, was developed. Every stage of construction, from the exterior to the interior design, had to guarantee not only the embodiment of exquisite taste but also the physical, mental, and moral health of the citizens, the goal being the improvement of human nature, implicitly of society. As men’s work moves into public space, we witness the construction of another dimension of the private house. The house becomes a home, a place of refuge, balancing the increasing anonymity and rationality of the outside world.

Furthermore, the interior space reflected a world in rapid transformation, a liminal time in which the traditional order that determined hierarchy, loyalty, and social control no longer worked but a new order was yet to be established. An atmosphere of tension, of values clashing, is established, which will culminate with the outbreak of the First World War.

Keywords: material culture, sociability, lifestyle, conflicting moral, synergy

Alexandra-Andreea Rusu The Bucharest Municipality Museum rusu.alexandra.andreea@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This article deals with minority and indigenous cultures (and their respective languages) as meaningful markers of diversity sustaining complex dynamics of identity and relationalities in different contexts of open-air markets or bazaars in multicultural spaces of the vast Southeast European area and Mexico. The research is based on extensive autoethnographic practices, autobiographical experiences, and fieldwork in the bazaars and markets in several Balkan cities (Belgrade, Sofia, Novi Sad, Gjirokastër), Turkey (Nusaybin), Armenia (Yerevan) and Mexico (Mexico City, Valle de Bravo, and Oaxaca). Following a sociolinguistic and anthropological approach, I will analyse the ‘ethnic’ elements in these social environments as part of a complex process that constructs ‘semiotic landscapes’ of diversity. I will also highlight their capacity to express models of resistance to the logic of the nation-state and patterns of cultural homogenisation and emphasise their value for research on multicultural societies and minority cultures.

Keywords: semiotic landscapes, linguistic landscapes, minority languages, multilingualism, bazaars, open-air markets, Balkans, Mexico

Giustina SELVELLI Independent Researcher giustina.selvelli@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The Ottoman Empire was very heterogeneous in terms of the religious denominations, languages and educational backgrounds of its inhabitants: the coexistence of Muslims, Christians and Jews was conflictual and characterised by oppression by the Muslim ruling class. In trade, however, it became apparent that common economic interests led to mutual dependencies and even well-functioning, multiethnic symbioses. Typical places of such coexistence were the bedestens – Ottoman fabric bazaars, which spread to southeastern Europe as the Ottoman Empire expanded from the 14th century onward. After the fall of the empire, the bedestens were treated very differently in the nation-states. Especially in the Christian-dominated states of southeastern Europe, Ottoman cultural heritage was held in low esteem; many buildings perceived as “Turkish” were left to decay or fell into disrepair. The article describes the multi-ethnic coexistence in bedestens and presents the “nationalisation” and change of use of some of the bedestens preserved today.

Keywords: Balkans, bazaar, ethnic markets, Ottoman architecture, Janissaries, textile production

Thede KAHL Professor of South Slavonic and Southeast European Studies Friedrich Schiller University, Jena thede.kahl@uni-jena.de

ABSTRACT

The proposed study approaches the subject of marginal urban transactional spaces as places of construction and negotiation of identities. Also, the research can be inscribed in a broader direction of anthropological discourse, in which markets are nodes of complex social processes that facilitate economic transactions but extend beyond them. Specific markets, such as flea markets in urban areas, are embedded in the fabric of the community, “organised around the complex, multistranded relationships that intertwine gender, ethnicity, class and kinship, as well as economic role” (Bestor, 2001, 9228). The flea market, situated in the broader cultural milieu of social values and norms, becoming an arena where various people or groups interact and negotiate identities. “Valea Cascadelor” flea market is an open-air market. This organism adapts to the seasons and holidays. Those interested can buy anything from antiques to cheap substitutes for symbols of social status or everyday objects recovered and reintroduced into the exchange circuit of goods. Diversity defines the range of things and actors, people from all social and professional backgrounds or different ethnicities. This improvised museum of material culture is built by the people who frequent it and by the objects traded, which in turn help to construct the identity of those involved. As a case study, the research presents the history of a small fine art collection (graphics and paintings) composed of artworks bought exclusively from the “Valea Cascadelor” flea market. The interview captures the development of the collection over ten years, the contextual artwork analysis, the evolution of a unique profile-the flea market art collector- (Italian citizen, resident in Romania for 12 years) and the transactional behaviour observation involving identity negotiation on both sides.

Keywords: identity, negotiation, ethnicity, flea market, collection

Alexandra RUSU Curator at Filipescu-Cesianu House, Bucharest Municipality Museum rusu.alexandra.andreea@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Based on ethnographic research into the markets in Bistrița and Năsăud and of the work conditions on rural farms, I managed to write an article on economic anthropology to be included in complex society studies. This is meant to demonstrate that the market (agro-market or the fair-market), far from being an essentially commercial area governed by strictly economic parameters (utilitarian ones), is a complex societal institution which extends the Maussian relations (based on reciprocity and mutual assistance) in the village framework, in conjunction with the spirit of sociability and civic-deliberative freedom typical of the urban area; it connects individuals and aggregates networks of easy-going practices; it continues, even if in desacralised forms, certain cultural traditions of a festive-carnivalesque type, focused on topoi as well as on primordial elements, such as nature, abundance, land toiling, etc. This study also tries to follow up on the diachronic evolution of markets in the two cities in a sustainable symbiotic relation with the rural hinterland.

Keywords: farmersʼ market, householding, reciprocity, mutual aid, sociability, third places

Florin DUMITRESCU University of Transylvania, Braşov florin.dumitrescu@unitbv.ro

ABSTRACT

The article analyses the variety of items sold on the market during the religious and folk holidays of the year. The field research consists of formal and informal markets in Bucharest, where direct and participant observation, and extended discussions with vendors and buyers, Romanians and Roma, were carried out. The content perspective of the investigation is oriented on reflecting the material items purchased and the consumer experiences, cognitions, and cultural behaviours of the individuals acting in such contexts. The objects of ritual, ceremonial, social, and folk utility express the identity of the individuals and their attempts and ways of the tradition and heritage discovering, of the seller-buyers’ rapports and trading strategies used, and the mechanisms of experiencing collective feelings and attitudes.

Keywords: identity, market offers, cognitions, trading tactics, traditions, ethnicity.

Dorina DRAGNEA (ONICA) National Institute of Heritage, Bucharest, Romania dorinaonica@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The paper aims to present a socio-economic and cultural event, the bazaar of Xanthi, the operation of which is linked to various local identities and the glocalized processes that permeate the world of the bazaar. Initially, an attempt is made to examine the bazaar’s evolution within Xanthi’s changing urban space from the end of the 19th century to the present day. We will also focus on the multitude of relationships that connect different types of people with their products, conserving a traditional multiethnic atmosphere in interaction with the consumerism of the current global context. A bazaar is a place of extreme mobility of people, identities and goods. It is where people, goods, different languages, and ethnic and religious identities intersect to create a dynamic mosaic which reconciles the heterogeneity of needs and interests. In economic terms, the bazaar is a market with low- priced products where the value of products changes depending on the cultural context of the communicative exchanges. Furthermore, the bazaar is a performance scene where multilingual speakers transform the place into a linguistic laboratory and a significant cultural capital of the region. This paper is based on historical photographic material and field research with long participant observation in the bazaar, where the centrality of the city shifts to every Saturday.

Keywords: Thrace, bazaar, materialities, value, haggling, multiethnicity, multilingualism

Aikaterini MARKOU AssociateProfessor, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini amarkou@he.duth.gr

ABSTRACT

The seller’s adjustment to the buyer or the buyer’s friendly attempt to haggle with the seller in different languages could help optimise a transaction. Communities with traditional market vendors, such as the Hoștăzeni, the Pems, the Swabians and the Fribourgers provide a touch of local colour to the markets in their respective cities. For the local world, they still symbolise a world of goods and production that is starting to disappear. The ethnic fairs and markets’ changes in form, volume and the target audience can hasten their disappearance. The above is the case with Christmas markets, which, unfortunately, are almost identical in many of the towns that host them. What makes multilingual markets different? The appeal to the consumer, and the inter-relationships built up over time. In the markets, the customer for the buyer, the client is the absolute target. Very often, the customer becomes interested in visiting the place as a socio-linguistic interaction corner. We all go to the market to talk to each other; we all go to the supermarkets to quickly buy goods. This richness lies in the discourse of the vendors, in the way they adjust their language and non-verbal skills.

This study is devoted to similar discourses in multilingual markets and some contradictory ones, where multilingualism joins polyglossia. It also looks for the differences and similarities in how these acts of language ensure the existence of the markets, thus influencing their evolution and the presence of customers by applying certain linguistic and sales performances.

Keywords: polyglossia, peasant markets, Pems, Swabians, Fribourgers, Hoştăzeni

Cora SAURER-CHIOREANU Berne, Switzerland Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca cornelia.saurer@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

When most people hear of rag and bone traders, they think of socially and economically marginalised individuals. However, this is a highly distorted picture owed to the media. Rag and bone men began their activities in Athens towards the end of the 1960s. In the early 1990s, they founded a professional body, Hermes, which in 2015 included some 750 members. With the onset of the financial crisis of 2010, several migrants and refugees became resorted to taking up this occupation. As a means of dealing with the insecurity of employment, they turned to gather metal items they found in the streets. In this study, I will focus on the commercial networks of Bulgarian and Albanian rag and bone traders who are active in Athens’s open-air rag and bone market today. They are far from being a marginal group; migrant rag and bone traders make up what is a professional body, with extensive commercial networks in Greece and the Balkans that facilitate the transport of objects, particularly items of folk art, such as carpets, dishes or pieces of wooden furniture, to toony countries in the Balkans and eastern Europe. Most rag and bone traders are involved in collecting metal items, either iron or copper, or old furniture pieces.

Keywords: bazaar, rag and bone traders, Bulgarians, Albanians, commercial networks

Georgios KOUZAS National and Kapodistrian University of Athens gkouzas@phil.uoa.gr

ABSTRACT

“The flea market” was a place intended for the old furniture trade, but also other items that today we generically call second-hand goods, which appeared on the Bucharest trade map in the second half of the 19th century. It was erected in a disadvantaged area, densely populated, marked by the Jewish singularity. For more than half a century (1876-1930), the activity in the flea market, coordinated exclusively by Jewish merchants, had an undeniable role in the capital’s economy. Regarding its image, it was painted in the context of new socio-political realities in the Old Kingdom of Romania, such as the awakening of nationalistic feelings and xenophobia, especially antisemitism. In the last decades of the 19th century, the “Jewish Question” became an intellectual problem with an essential political stake, the emancipation of the Jews being in an irreconcilable position with Romanian nationalism. The anti-Semitic discourse used by the political, intellectual, and cultural elite presented the Jews as unassimilable, anti-national elements that could undermine the Romanian character. Examples from the periphery of life, including the Jewish merchants in Lazăr Street and the “Flea market”, constitute the extreme otherness and a potential danger to the nation’s body, thus emphasizing the opposing nature discourse and favoring an ideology of excluding Jews from Romanian culture and society. The research aims to capture the flea market atmosphere and the image of the Jewish community nearby, as reflected in the writings of some personalities (politicians, historians, prose writers, journalists) of times past Bucharest. The perspectives exhibit a wide range of observations, from objective ones, in contrast to the circulated stereotypes, to subjective ones, filtered through emotions, all pieces of the collective mind’s mosaic. Examples in the press oscillate between fin-de-siècle anti-Semitism and the anti-Semitism of the early 20th century, infused with scientific claims, all using the flea market as a symbol of inadequacy for an entire ethnic community.

Keywords: identity, otherness, commerce, nationalism, antisemitism

Alexandra RUSU Curator at Filipescu-Cesianu House. Bucharest Municipality Museum rusu.alexandra.andreea@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The text presents and analyses the traumatic history of forcible ownership deprivation of the so-called “former people “conducted by the communist Bulgarian rulers. Urban properties, houses and industrial sites were nationalised or partially taken “in the name of the people“; village landowners were forced to give their land to cooperatives. The state policy of “squeezing the city population” ensured homes for thousands of people coming from the countryside. Through in-depth interviews and biographical methods, the victims’ emotions are reconstructed; their ways of coping with trauma and this specific type of personal crisis are shown. Effects on individual identity formation are also traced. The second part of the text examines changes in objects and possessions that occurred after forcible appropriation. Following Appadurai’s concept of the social life of things, the biographical trajectories of these objects and the physical transformations they underwent due to the forcible transfer from their original owners – city dwellers to the former villagers- new urban settlers, members of the Communist party are analysed.

Keywords: socialism, property, nationalisation, objects, trauma, emotions, identity

Evgenia KRASTEVA-BLAGOEVA New Bulgarian University, Sofia evgenia_blagoeva@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

In this article, I highlight the relevance of contemporary urban ecological semiotics. In this context, I demonstrate the significance of the green colour in interaction with language elements in two cities of South-Eastern Europe: Novi Sad in Serbia and Sofia in Bulgaria. Starting with a general part, I present the symbolic power of the colouronym “green” in the context of natural phenomena. Then I introduce the research tradition of Semiotic Landscapes, on which the study is based in terms of methodology. The theory of Semiotic Landscapes questions the interaction of language, visual, and other impressions. I evaluate six concrete examples which combine shades of green with language use. Analysing these examples, I show the meaning of the colour “green” in the respective context, and I discuss this against the background of urban reality. Finally, I summarise the findings and argue that using green colour in combination with linguistic units is primarily associated with positive qualities in both urban centres.

Keywords: semiotic landscapes, green city, Novi Sad, Sofia, language in public space

Martin HENZELMANN Institute for Slavic Studies, University of Greifswald martin.henzelmann@uni-jena.de

ABSTRACT

Corona came and hit the world while it’s already been undergoing several other challenges and problems to its resilience and sustainability. These global North and South crises have heavily affected people experiencing poverty and refugees. This research investigates the challenges to refugees’ resilience in Weimar, Germany. To conceptualise these challenges, we conducted 12 interviews with refugees and another 4 with relief workers in Weimar, Germany, between June-August 2020. The displaced reported many challenges: language and integration, bureaucracy, health and personnel, housing and refugee status, and social support obstacles. As these challenges are interrelated, their impacts on each individual and family have been different, and thus the level of refugees’ resilience has varied.

Keywords: refugees, coronavirus, resilience, social resilience, Germany, Weimar.

Ruweida ALJABALI Bauhaus University Weimar ruweida.akram.aljabali@uni-weimar.de

Frank ECKARDT Bauhaus University Weimar frank.eckardt@uni-weimar.de

ABSTRACT

With the pandemic, the world is going through a watershed event that calls into question the very system of human beliefs and values. In this context, the imbalances and shortcomings of society only heighten the tension and accelerate the processes of impending change. Man is changing, human behaviour is changing, the city is changing. We are witnessing a third revolution in the development of humanity, after the agrarian and industrial revolutions. This time we are talking about the technological revolution and the changes it brings are certain to be profound, even irreversible.

This article discusses some of the emerging and possible consequences of one of these new technologies, AR (Augmented Reality), for architecture and urbanism in the context of augmented space. It brings into question the paradigm change in spatial design with new developments in AR, and introduce AR as a theoretical and practical tool for architects in which to understand current and future changes in the occupation and construction of the city.

Key words: reality, objective reality, human, evolution, senses, augmentation, augmented reality, city, subjectiv reality, hyperreality.

Ferencz BAKOS

Faculty of Architecture of the University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu” gratuated in Planning Master of urban and design planning

E-mail: ferencz.bakos@gmail.com

Romania lacks a “map of the future”. And this mapping of the future is a matter for the human factor alone. It is the continued investment in the human factor. As Spiru Haret used to say in his time, “How the school looks today, the country will look tomorrow”. In the last thirty years of freedom of opinion and attitude, there have been and still are very few positive steps backed up by constructive arguments, with clear milestones and stages to be followed.

The reconnection to reality is built by investing in people because excellence and competence do not depend on the size of the country, but on its education system. It needs to change. The second clear option for reconnecting to reality is to re-skill the workforce.

Dr. Adrian MAJURU

Museum of Bucharest

adimajuru@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This article examines the impact of loneliness on our mental health and show show architecture can be the solution to this imminent danger. It shows how today’s life is different from the past and in what direction everyday life is heading as a result of globalization. It recognizes the role that urban planners and architects play in influencing mental health and what are the solutions by which the effects of loneliness can be eliminated. In an attempt to solve the problems of loneliness in the urban environment, four different approaches are presented that can play an important role in reducing the effects of loneliness.

Key words: loneliness, architecture, mental health, design

Bogdan LAPCA

Faculty of Architecture of the University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu”

gratuated in Planning Master of urban and design planning

E-mail: bogdanlapca@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The scale of the informal housing phenomenon in Romania is fueled by the lack of a legislative framework (Romania is the only country in the European Union that conditions property identity). Lack of data and interest in this topic exacerbates the problems associated with this type of settlement (lack of housing, social exclusion, lack of access to public infrastructure, lack of social benefits, overcrowding, reduced quality of life, illiteracy, hygiene and health issues, etc.). Thus, the phenomenon is growing and endangers the safety and health of the resident population.

The phenomenon of informal living in Romania is a topic addressed recently, there are very few studies on this topic. The present paper has as justification the understanding of the subject, of the catalysts and of the importance of improving the propagation of the phenomenon by referring to a case study from Romania.

Key words: overcrowding, social exclusion, scale of the phenomenon, scale, catalysts, undefined topics, regulations, marginalization

Ana Bogdana DUMITRESCU

The University of Arhitecture and Urban Planning “Ion Mincu” – Bucharest

Discipline: Anthropology Urban Faculty of Urbanism – Cycle II

Master Urban Management for Competitive Cities

ABSTRACT

The transition to adulthood is a time marked with changes. Residential change is one of the most important among them. What are the implications of residential mobility in this crucial period of life? Access to affordable housing is a challenge in itself, regardless of age, and it is even more challenging among young people, as affordable housing that meets their needs is crucial for the proper development of a family physically, mentally and emotionally.

Key words: residential mobility, affordable housing, young people

Simina RĂDOI

University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu” Master of Urban Design, Faculty of Urbanism

E-mail: simina.radoi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Along with the increasing urbanization of cities, urban development management has been hampered, or in a best-case scenario, limited. In metropolises, without efficient management of built spaces and town area, things can get out of hand easily. This is the case for disadvantaged districts, also called “ghettos” or notorious neighborhoods. What does this mean for cities and how can these districts be reintroduced in the city when, right now, they represent a barrier, a border inside the city? The Danish government has started in 2004 a series of initiatives to solve the “problem areas” situation. The complete strategy was published in 2010, called “The Danish Ghetto Strategy”, a document created in order to regulate disadvantaged areas, its purpose being diminishing the socio-economic differences between living areas. The Danish Initiatives can have a favorable result in further developing methods, policies, and strategies for increasing the quality of living areas, the shared perspective on notorious neighborhoods, improving the urban image, and the social repercussions of living in such a neighborhood. This article will focus on the successful case of Rosenhøj district in Denmark and how this strategy model can be applied in Romania.

Key words: urbanization, management, ghetto, Denmark, strategy

Alexandra LUNGU, Student

Faculty of Architecture of the University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu”. Urban Planner, Urban Management

E-mail: alexandra.alex.1997@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, waste, understood as ecological and utilitarian waste, resulting from the manufacturing process, and from using goods or utilities, is not perceived as a critical challenge, an urgent socio-ecological problem for Bucharest administrators and most of its inhabitants. Hidden or exposed, waste talks about the contrast between European aspiration and the reality of indifference. The present research meets the imperative of awareness, by studying Bucharest sanitation conditions in the past 300 years, a historical and anthropological approach. Only by identifying recurring difficulties in managing public hygiene, observing successful projects developed by several administrations or by understanding the mechanism that changed habits, we can formulate solutions for a more responsible Bucharest. We notice how, a solid legislative basis, the determination of some actors (doctors, politicians), dwellers aid to eradicate or to establish public hygiene practices, gradually isolated the sight of waste and misery outside the city, in dedicated spaces. The next step on Bucharest future map is to raise awareness on waste ubiquity, even if hidden from our senses, a reality that requires the „collective spirit” activation to reduce the effects of pollution.

Keywords: hygiene, sanitation, health law, industrial hygiene, centre- periphery, selective waste collection

Alexandra-Andreea RUSU

Curator. Filipescu-Cesianu House. Bucharest Municipality Museum

E-mail: rusu.alexandra.andreea@gmail.com

The medical history in Eastern Europe in general and in Romania, in particular, has received little attention from historians. The history of this region, due to massive political shifts, brought new opportunities for national schools of medicine but also disrupted scientific networks following the European wars of the 19th century and in particular two World Wars. Medical knowledge, like the spread of diseases, does not respect borders; therefore, its history must capture all elements generating this spread, which includes the exchange, reception and implementation of medical ideas. Detailed regional studies, not restricted to national boundaries, are still required today to uncover the pathways and processes behind the construction of medical knowledge in modern societies. Medicalization is usually studied from sociology and history perspectives, which emphasise the role and power of professionals, patients, and social needs. It also analyses the consequences of the prevailing concepts of health and illness on the citizens. Once a condition is classified as medical, a medical model of disease and disability tends to be used in correspondence to a social model.

We discuss here about the formation and practices of “medicalization” in the modern Romanian society, in a European context by looking into the discourses of medical practices. By looking in detail at the Romanian case, such as dealing with society and medical assistance, venereal diseases, tuberculosis etc. our project seeks to contribute to a largely uncharted medical and social history based on concepts of medicalization and modernity through the complex interchanges between medicine, scientific discourse, law enforcement and social needs in modern Europe.

We focus on biographies of physicians involved in the process of Romania’s path into Western standards throughout the 19th century, and related medical narratives: Victor Babeş, Ion Cantacuzino, Mina Minovici, Ştefan Irimescu, Gheorghe Banu, etc. At the same time, by inventorying health policies through which the state operated in the healthcare of the Romanian territories, we can have a better view on medical prevention, invalidity and social support, anti-epidemic measures, and so on.

There is always a complex nature of the generation of medical knowledge and political and intellectual discourses. Following the Foucauldian emphasis on the dynamic character of the networks, they are structured on how medical knowledge is produced and negotiated in the public sphere. Creating new insights into the study of how scholarly paradigms, legislation, and institutional interactions, in general, do occur in different Romanian historical periods, through systematic research of a particular national context (as the Romanian case) as well as through engaging with new methodologies, the special issue tries to offer a fresh approach of the stimulating recent inquiries on important issues like medicalization, legislation, medical narratives, scientific modernity and social values in history.

Octavian Buda

Chair History of Medicine/Carol Davila University Bucharest/

octbuda@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A “Pasteurian” – initiator of the Romanian school of microbiology, author of the so- called “great Romanian experience” during an cholera epidemic in 1913, Ioan Cantacuzino (1863-1931) was also political personality with a historical role in making The Greater Romania after the post-war treaty of 1920. The next year, he initiated in Bucharest an Institute for vaccines and immunizing serum according, playing a major role in vaccination policies in Romania. An avid art collector, he interacted with art critics Henri Focillon, Louis- Eugène-Georges Hautecœur, Georges Opresco.

Steluţa Boroghină

Chair History of Medicine, Carol Davila University Bucharest

steluta_boroghina@yahoo.com

Octavian Buda

Chair History of Medicine, Carol Davila University Bucharest

octbuda@gmail.com

Key words: Microbiology, Medical modernization, Eastern Europe post 1918, Art collecting

ABSTRACT

Through this paper I tried to approach from a historical and chronological point of view, one of the diseases of the last century. The study is structured to highlight both the concerns of the “Society for Tuberculosis Prophylaxis and Assistance of Poor Tuberculosis” and to recall the pioneering work in the field of pneumology from its inception until the creation of the “Clinical Institute of Physiology” in 1962.

The fight against tuberculosis or “the disease of the romantic century,” as it was called, was a social disease, “considered a bohemian suffering, attendant of love in an age when finding out that you have tuberculosis was tantamount to an early death sentence.”

If by the middle of the 19th century, 25% of deaths were caused by this disease, by the middle of the next century the number of deaths from this cause had decreased by up to 90%. With the changes in the public health system and the emmergence of the BCG vaccine (Calmette – Guérin bacillus vaccine) in 1921, the incidence of tuberculosis was reduced even before antibiotics were used. However, the disease remained a threat to public health, creating intense concern in the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, being considered a social chronic disease of the poor.

Ionuţ-Alexandru Banu

Museographer – Dr. Nicolae Minovici Museum of Folk Art/Bucharest Municipality Museum/Urban Anthropology Department,

ionut3@hotmail.com

Ionuţ-Alexandru Banu is a graduate of the Faculty of History, Ethnology Department at Babes-Bolyai University, he is passionate about ethnology and urban anthropology, focusing his study on the activity of Dr. Nicolae Minovici and on the collection in the museum.

Key words: tuberculosis, social illness, BCG vaccine, social assistance, Mina Minovici.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the methods of medical and professional assistance of Romanian invalids who participated in the Great War. The program designed by orthopedic doctor Ion Ghiulamila within the “Society of War Invalids” was based on the concept of work assistance. Thus, many disabled people were trained for various trades, including the making of traditional artifacts, which were later exhibited at fairs and exhibitions. The promises of the authorities regarding the financial aid of the war victims created the most inconveniences.

Mădălina-Ioana Manolache,

PhD candidate – UNArte Bucharest, museographer – Dr. Nicolae Minovici Museum of Folk Art

Urban Anthropology Department manolachemadalinaa@gmail.com

Manolache Mădălina-Ioana is a museographer at the “Nicolae Minovici” Museum in Bucharest and a PhD candidate at the National University of Arts (UNArte Bucharest), where she researches the atmosphere of the first half of the twentieth century regarding national culture, especially in the fields of collecting and applied arts.

Key words: Invalids of the Great War, work assistance, dr. Nicolae Minovici, nationalist discourse.

ABSTRACT

The present paper highlights some of the contrasts and inconsistencies accompanying women’s emancipation process in the Old Kingdom of Romania. In the second half of the 19th-century, Romanian society witnessed a paradigm shift best translated into the increasingly active role of women in society. It wasn’t a sudden change in women’s status but a gradual adaptation of the collective mind to new cultural contexts (political, social, economic, technological). Withal, the women’s emancipation movement can be understood as part of the modernization puzzle, “the best of all worlds,” requiring the full involvement of both sexes. Urban elite representatives, organized in feminist societies, campaigned for women’s civil and political rights, overcoming the official discourse centered on the “natural” differences between men and women. Another battle was fought to dismiss the socially constructed gender differences that destined men to public spaces and power roles while women remained cloistered in their homes. In other words, the Romanian society was willing to cultivate the woman only in her capacity as a mother (metaphorically, mother of the nation), wife, and good Christian, and less as a full-fledged citizen.

As Romanian society matures and culture increases, the “feminist cause” gains more consistency, advocating for legal and economic equality, followed by political rights. Also, by navigating the list of permissions and prohibitions, women found new ways to overcome the sexual division of roles.

Alexandra-Andreea Rusu

Urban Anthropology Department

rusu.alexandra.andreea@gmail.com

Alexandra Rusu graduated from the Doctoral School of the National University of Arts in Bucharest, obtaining a doctorate in Fine Arts and Decorative Arts. She is currently working as a curator at Casa Filipescu-Cesianu (Bucharest Municipality Museum), the first museum of urban anthropology in Romania. Her research focuses on dress history and anthropological perspectives on traditional weaving techniques. In her writings, she also addresses social history and urban anthropology issues, with Bucharest as a case study. She is (co-) author of several articles, collective contributions, e-books and is a member of the Union of Fine Artists in Romania (UFAR) respectively The Association of Dress Historians (UK).

Key words: women’s rights movement, feminism, biologic determinism, cultural determinism, conflicting morals, paradigm shift.

ABSTRACT

Romanian Principalities, as in many other places around the world, before the state took the initiative to medicalize the population, the church was the one concerned with the fate of the sick and infirm, of helpless elders and orphans, the poor, widows and pilgrims. This fact is not accidental, considering that religious teachings sought to instill the virtue of compassion and emphasized the obligation of rich people to help the poor or needy. In addition, from the middle Ages until the end of the 18^th century, the dominant disease and therapy mindset was religious.

Lidia Trăişan-Matu,

Chair History of Medicine, Carol Davila University Bucharest

lidiatrausan@gmail.com

Octavian Buda

Chair History of Medicine, Carol Davila University Bucharest

octbuda@gmail.com

Key words: venereal disease, medical modernization, eastern europe mid 19^th century, religious debates

ABSTRACT

The research will explore the evolution of the current Văcăreşti Protected Landscape and its surroundings in Bucharest, in terms of place memory, which has been an area of urban, historical, social, symbolic and community pressures since the communist era. The evolution of the Văcăreşti Monastery area, followed by the construction of the lake, led to the deepening of an already deep “wound”, visible in the urban morphotypology, producing a drama for the inhabitants of the area.

The analysis of the historical evolution of the urban fabric highlights all the pressures to which the area of the current park and its vicinity were subjected, but also all the constraints that those who built here later did not have, or did not take into account – from the demolition of the houses for the construction of the lake to the constructions that were recently made in the area. Although since 2015, the area has been declared a protected landscape through the sustained efforts of the association, volunteers and specialists, the pressure on the park continues today.

The paper aims to investigate how this area can become a real “development vector” today, from an urban-functional point of view, which could be its future evolution and how it can be (re) brought and preserved symbolically to its architectural-historical past, in the conscience of the community, at the level of the quasi-natural, anthropic and cultural landscape.

Atena-Ioana Gârjoabă

PhD Candidate – The Doctoral Programme in Urbanism, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest, Romania,

atena.garjoaba@gmail.com

Cerasella Crăciun

Full Proffesor, PhD, Architect, Urban and Landscape Planner, The Faculty of Urban Planning, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and

Urbanism, Bucharest, Romania, cerasellacraciun@gmail.com

Key words: natural protected area, heritage, communism, cultural landscape, urban fabric, urban pressures, conservation

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this work is to investigate the significance of the public space as a stage for art performances and spontaneous street events. How do these events shape public spaces and how do they contribute to the urban life? Street performers have drawn large crowds for as long as public spaces have existed. They are known as “buskers” and they can be found all over the world. The streets are fundamentally unpredictable, and the presence of buskers can provide an unexpected experience for passers-by, breaking the monotony of everyday life. Buskers are able to turn a public space into their own stage, and they frequently attract both tourists and locals. They are not, however, universally liked. They constantly deal with the authorities, who are confronted with problems caused by mass tourism, damages to the public space, noise pollution etc. Buskers must follow regulations in order to generate quality content that improves the quality of the public space. What happens to these artists when humanity faces a pandemic that restricts interaction with the public space and demands social distancing? As a result, the goal of this work is to understand how these art performances shape public spaces and what challenges both performers and authorities face in creating quality urban spaces. The paper investigates the regulations on street performances in various cities, and the findings indicate that stringent guidelines hinder performers. However, as long as they are allowed to express their artistic freedom, street buskers can follow codes of conduct and, in the long run, contribute to a place’s identity.

Key words: public space, micro-events, street Art Performance, regulations, street buskers.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the evolution of cinemas in Bucharest in order to understand the shrinking process that has been happening since 1989 to present day. The cinema is addressed as a place, as a deeply social urban space, taking into consideration its other connotations nonetheless, like the cinema as a refuge, as art or as entertainment. Therefore, the first part includes a brief history of cinema in Bucharest since the occurrence of cinema in Romanian territories, to present: emergence, expansion (interwar vs. communism) and decline (the fading of the cinema from within the city and moving in the malls). The second part of the text, the theoretical approach, lists and explains the potential advantages of classic cinema as part of the urban fabric, either centrally, peripherally or pericentrally located. Eventually, the third part encompasses a personal perspective on the extinction phenomenon of classic cinema, along with a proposal for future development.

ABSTRACT

This paper talks about the balcony, intimacy and self. These three words that seem to have nothing in common are related from an urban anthropological perspective. The balcony is either an inner or an outer annex of the house. Between the four walls of the house people in general feel sheltered, feel the privacy of their own home. This is how the balcony becomes the border between the city and home privacy. Like any other room of the dwelling and balcony is arranged. The way it is used can say a lot about the owner’s self. In this article we explore the use, mysticism and charm of the balcony as a refuge from urban viewers.

Key words: balconies, intimacy, self, urban anthropology, interior design, city.

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the increasing popularity of pole dance as a leisure activity for women. Over the past few years, pole dance has become both a highly acclaimed and controversial form of exercise, with people debating its definition, whether it is a sport, an art, or an element of “raunch culture” where women portray a hyper-sexualized version of femininity. To understand whether pole dance is an empowering act or a matter of female objectification, the author conducted qualitative research involving three pole dance studios in Bucharest. The interviews comprised open-ended questions which allowed us to explore the “pole phenomenon” from an “insider’s” point of view. The participants were asked about their endeavors into the pole world, as well as the way this sport has impacted their overall lifestyle and self-esteem. Although pole dance is increasingly viewed as fitness or art-focused activity requiring great strength and flexibility, performers are nonetheless stigmatized as strippers or sex workers. This article analyzes pole dance through a variety of conceptual lenses: dance anthropology, embodiment, and gendered power.

Adela-Cătălina Marian has graduated from the Faculty of Letters of the University of Bucharest, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Romanian Language and Literature and Russian Language and Literature. She has continued her academic path with a Master’s Degree in Public Relations and Advertising at the University of New South Wales Australia. During her stay in Australia, she has developed a keen interest in acrobatics and contemporary dance. Therefore, her research focuses primarily on body and dance anthropology. She is currently enrolled in her second Master’s Degree in Intercultural Management at UNESCO Chair. Her writings regard pole dance and aerial arts as beneficial leisure activities for self-esteem. Pole dance, especially, had a negative reputation for a prolonged period of time, therefore, her goal is to demonstrate first of all, that this is a sport and a unique way of expressing one’s femininity, while providing an excellent body conditioning. Adela Marian is currently working for Bookzone Publishing as a copywriter, while attending semi- professional acrobatics classes.

Key words: pole dance, pole art, sexuality, embodiment, feminism, sport, dance anthropology, culture, gendered power.

Abstract

El artículo expone y analiza, a partir de un enfoque histórico y geográfico, formas particularmente interesantes de urbanismo efímero, su vinculación con el espacio público y la organización social. Entendemos por urbanismo efímero aquellas estructuras destinadas al ocio situadas normalmente en las periferias de los núcleos de población – ferias, circos y grandes exposiciones-, así como la transformación temporal de este espacio en periodos festivos. La investigación parte de un análisis diacrónico en el que se incide en esta tipología de urbanismo como fuente de propaganda y entretenimiento. Se destacará, a su vez, cómo el objetivo funcional de este urbanismo efímero no es únicamente el entretenimiento inocente de la población, sino que bajo una premisa subyacente se buscan establecer herramientas y estructuras de poder y control social. Con ello se tratará de demostrar el papel del urbanismo y la configuración del espacio público en la formación ideológica de las sociedades occidentales

Palabras clave: urbanismo, espacio público, efímero, social, transformaciones, control

Carlos Hugo SORIA CÁCERES – Universidad de Burgos (España) Departamento de Historia, Geografía y Comunicación, Área de Geografía Humana

chsoria@ubu.es

Abstract

Study of the ritual space occupied by the penitential brotherhoods of Granada (Spain) during the Old Regime. This analysis is performed using documents from different archives. In this way, it is intended to reflect how the choice for the brotherhoods of their essential ritual space in the convents and, within them, in the chapels remained for centuries (despite certain evolutions); this decision determined the crisis of Granada’s Holy Week in the 19th century.

Palabras clave: Granada (España). Cofradías de penitencia. Espacio ritual. Antiguo Régimen.

Francisco Javier CRESPO MUÑOZ Universidad de Valladolid

franciscojavier.crespo@uva.es

ABSTRACT

During the 19th and early 20th century more than 50 urban public parks have been designed and built all over the Old Kingdom of Romania. They were all envisioned and designed by foreign specialists, most of whom came from France, Germany and Austria. For some of the parks they had created we find archival documentation that contains maps, sketches and drawings and even lists of plants. For some we find more. We discover written descriptions and correspondence which show big differences in the way that gardeners, architects and landscape gardeners envisioned public parks to look like and how they hoped people will use them and how they actually did – some used the lawns as places for their goats and pigs to graze on, lakes to fish from, flower beds to cut from, alleys, small plazas and gazebos to use as spaces for improvised markets etc.

To this end, this paper aims to focus on the causes of these conflicts and to discuss about the impact that social behaviour had had on the process of designing and even redesigning municipal public parks in the 19th and early 20th century in Romanian cities north of the Danube and east of the Carpathians, on imposing visiting regulations in public parks and applying penalties to those who disregarded the rules, closing the parks during the night and patrolling them during daylight etc. The research is based on archival documentation (plans, pictures, written descriptions, legislation, newspaper articles and correspondence) as well as on recent studies on similar topics from Romania and abroad.

Keywords: garden history, municipal public parks, 19th century, social behaviour, Park Movement, Bucharest, Iaşi.

Alexandru MEXI, landscape arch. University of Bucharest, National Institute of Heritage

alx.mexi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

In 1958, a team of Soviet Antarctic researchers set up a research station close to the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility. Less than a month later, the research team abandons the station but not before installing on its structure a golden bust of Lenin, made of plastic. Ever since, the place has been visited by other Soviet research teams, but also by American, British and Norwegian Antarctic explorers. In 2007, the research station had been completely buried under snow, while Lenin’s bust was fully visible and some “visitors” took some selfies with the “monument”.

At the intersection of the logic of politics and geopolitics (of marking the Soviet presence in Antarctica) with the logic of the monumental narrative, the 1958 act of the team of researchers puts into question – or even into predicament – the concept of “public monument” and points to the problematization of a potential public space that is both fictional and symbolically appropriated.

Keywords: Lenin, public space, public realm, Antarctica, anthropology

Ciprian TUDOR Politehnica University of Bucharest

ciprian.tudor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

In the Jewish neighborhoods of Bucharest, public spaces were often used as places of both commercial and religious ritual. On the one hand, due to the legal restrictions allowing them access to a very limited number of professions, Jews were in general both craftsmen and merchants, selling their own products. They usually did that from small houses, where they would have a tiny store at the front and a cramped lodging at the back, but many were in fact even poorer than that (contrary to the usual stereotype) and were forced to sell their merchandise in the street, in famous places like Taica Lazăr, which led to the emergence of a genuine street lifestyle. On the other hand, many Jewish holidays and traditions were celebrated by default out in the street, together with the entire community, and not in the intimacy of one’s home, which was often too small. Therefore, several times a year ancient religious rituals were brought to life in these public spaces.

This study presents the two different types of ritual, “commercial” and “religious,” which filled the public spaces of the old Jewish neighborhoods of Bucharest until World War II, when this lifestyle was destroyed forever first by the Holocaust and then by communism. To this end it looks at literary descriptions, photographic images, newspaper articles, advertisements and archival material depicting the activities that took place on the “Jewish streets” for centuries, until they were brought up to an abrupt end in mid-20th century.

Keywords: Jewish rituals, Jewish trades, Jewish holidays, Taica Lazăr, Vacaresti- Dudesti, Purim celebration

Felicia WALDMAN – Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest

fwaldman@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The paper deals with the paradoxes of „proximity” – based on Michel Serres and Jean Baudrillard’s readings of the concept – in relation to a new definition of the urban space that has become contagious through the effects of the pandemic. The social distance compensated by the suspension of space and time intervals in the realm of digital media are the grids of a new reading of the urban landscapes. Argia, the “invisible city” of Italo Calvino is declined, in this context, as an avatar of the quarantined citadel suffocated by the proximity of digital hyperconnections.

Keywords: invisible cities, proximity, hyper-connection, contagion, Calvino

Alexandra CRĂCIUN – Assoc. Prof. Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest

alexandra.craciun@litere.unibuc.ro

ABSTRACT

The approach of this subject comes from the desire to clarify a unique situation, that of Bucharest, an atypically structured city, but at the same time one completely coagulated and coherent in its evolution. Medieval Bucharest is a small administrative unit, concentrated around the royal palace of Curtea Veche (The Old Court), a palace that, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, is the center of the Bucharestian world. This small nucleus around the Royal Palace will gradually expand, creating a large commercial square in the adjacent space, the Bibescu Vodă Square, where the Union Hall will be later built. Small communities appear around this nucleus, which are organized mainly by types of occupations, over time becoming guilds and with the church at their center. Coagulated on common interests and having the character of a parish, the urban community of Bucharest is called the slum and has the characteristic that the church, an extremely important institution in the life of the slum, can be found in its middle. Much more numerous than the rural community, the slum is constantly growing and, as the church becomes too small, the slum folk will build another, thus forming a new community around the new formed church. By multiplying this process, we begin to explain the multitude of churches that can be found in the city center today, dense but small churches that met the needs of the community and which were, at the same time, the center of that community’s life. This is the matrix of Bucharest, in which the church is the center of community life and which is at the same time specific to this atypical, multinuclear city, a city which grows organically and continuously, extending horizontally from the political center of the royal palace, both in a concentric and a linear manner, along the access arteries to the city.

The establishment of the Royal Academy from Saint Sava at the end of the 17th century will create a new pole which, from this point forward, will make the city center swing back and forth between the Union Square and the space of the future university. At the end of the ninth decade of the 19th century, the first boulevard of Bucharest was drawn on the east-west axis, starting from the current Izvorul Rece (“cold spring”) Square and having a route that ended at Mihail Kogălniceanu Square. The city center will move here for more than half a century, the University Square thus being designed to be the city center.

King Charles II, a great lover of festivities of a propagandistic nature, will try to remodel the Royal Palace Square as part of the restoration project of the Palace, which had been partially destroyed by a fire back in 1927. The Royal Palace Square had an architecture specific to the nineteenth century having, at its center, in front of the Royal Palace, the building of the Carol I University Foundation, framed on both sides by two buildings of a similar architecture. The area reconfiguration project, as part of the reconstruction of the Royal Palace, involved a development spanning more than two decades, between 1930- 1950, the last of its stages being the demolition of all buildings in front of the Royal Palace, thus making room for a square of large enough dimensions to reach, in the east, the newly drawn Take Ionescu-Magheru-Brătianu boulevard.

Dissatisfied with the achievements of his predecessor, but also with the fact that a square had not been built to take over the role of meeting place, most meetings still taking place in the Royal Palace square, Nicolae Ceaușescu will use the 1977 earthquake as the pretext to built a new political-administrative center, which inevitably led to the political relocation of the city center, as had happened in the past.

Keywords: central square, public square, city center, urban evolution, multinuclear center

Phd. Cezar Petre BUIUMACI

The Bucharest Municipality Museum

petre.buiumaci@gmail.com

ABSTRACT 

In what theoretical framework could collective commitment be explained and analysed? What encouraged committed participation in recent Romanian social movements? In this paper I claim that certain moral forms of understanding civic life are preconditions for manifesting responsible, willed social actions. Minimal consensus of value is indispensable. Spontaneous solidarity is, of course, possible and probable, but often as an indicator of anomie. I suggest that in urban Romania recent protesting contexts (2015-2019) are far more complex than thought and may need a broader and denser set of theoretical frames. I will show that anomic societies become more vulnerable precisely in the areas where consensual values appear more prominently, and I will make an attempt to explain why. I will conclude that, although most of us assume that anomie breaks communality, it is not necessarily the communality that anomie breaks; what anomie destroys is the relevant shared knowledge on the situations people engage in, particularly, genuine consensus. When social and health crisis arise, the impact on already frail communities is tremendous at all levels asking for urgent anxiety buffers and firing up a new kind of sentimentalised consensus rooted in a mystical and mystifying Rousseauian General Will rather than in authentic solidarity.

Keywords: anomie; individualism; collectivism; consensus; trust bonds; corruption; theodicy; social philosophy

Adela TOPLEAN Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest

adela.toplean@litere.unibuc.ro

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical staff were among the first to be thrust into the situation of beholding such a gravely contagious and unpredictable disease.This testimonial essay presents events that unfolded during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as experienced by one of its front-line physicians. The testimony combines narrative and subjective descriptions of the experiences and feelings of the author and of the hospitalized patients in her department, as well as aspects of the doctor-patient relationship and various other elements that emotionally impacted medical staff during this turbulent period that influenced (and still influences) our daily existence.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, front-line doctors, emotions, feelings, professional challenges

Cristiana OPREA Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Dr. Victor Babeş Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases,  Associate Professor at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest

cristiana_oprea@umfcd.ro

ABSTRACT

The present research investigates processes of body commodification and how the capitalist system conditions cultural and social values to create new sources of profit. This phenomenon is analyzed in the context of fitness culture, approached from various perspectives. Finally, we will examine the long-term effects of body commodification, which can endanger future generations.

Keywords: capitalism, consumer society, individualism, fitness, body shape, social standards

Maria Theodora MAJURU, Faculty of Sociology and Social Assistance, University of Bucharest

maria.majuru@s.unibuc.ro

Rezumat

Imaginea „cuvintelor călătoare” lansată de Al. Graur în dicționarul său din 1978 ne-a îndemnat să pornim într-o călătorie pe urmele mirosului,  analizând  terminologia  olfactivă de bază din greaca modernă, în raportul ei direct cu limba română. Analiza lingvistică este urmată de o ilustrare literară a temelor puse în joc de olfacție preluată din romanul Martor mi-e Dumnezeu de Makis Tsitas (Editura Art, 2019).

Claudiu Sfirschi-Lăudat – Fundația Culturală Greacă din România, traducător

Cuvinte-cheie: miros, vocabular, Grecia, literatură, roman, mentalități.

Rezumat

Studiul de față propune descoperirea oraşului Kastoria, din nordul Greciei, prin intermediul edificiilor religioase post-bizantine pe care le conservă, privirea zăbovind asupra unei teme iconografice – uimirea Sfântului Sisoe – care poate deveni un element comun al discursului pictural din diverse spații ale lumii balcanice.

Cristina Bogdan –  Universitatea din București

Cuvinte-cheie: Kastoria, iconografie religioasă, biserici post-bizantine, uimirea Sfântului Sisoe, Peninsula balcanică

Rezumat

Acest articol este parte a unei cercetări mai ample privind broderia din Epir, asociată cu diaspora din această regiune, din secolele XVII şi XVIII, generată de comerțul cu Europa central-orientală şi comerțul cu blănuri ruseşti de la Constantinopol. Studiul de față analizează broderia unui sfânt militar, reprezentat drept cavaler călare pe Taur, în loc de cal, şi are două referințe iconografice: imaginea imperială a sfântului militar ecvestru din arta moldovenească şi iconografia lui Alexandru cel Mare, de tradiție selgiucidă.

Vasso Rokou – University of Ioannina

Cuvinte-cheie: Alexandru cel Mare, sfânt militar, Ștefan Cantacuzino, artă moldovenească, artă armeană, tradiție selgiucidă.

Rezumat

Articolul îşi propune să prezinte termenii care descriu vestimentația tradițională, pornind de la o arhivă nestudiată ce descrie costumul popular de pe teritoriul Bulgariei, de la sfârşitul secolului al ΧΙΧ-lea.

Yavor Ivanov – Universitatea St. Kliment Ohridski din Sofia

Cuvinte cheie: arhivă, balcanic, Bulgaria, îmbrăcăminte tradițională, Vestiarium.

Rezumat

Andrić şi Kadare redau în operele lor imaginea intimă a Balcanilor. Mitopoetica lor metamorfozează toate înțelesurile istorice în simboluri populare. Prin re-crearea miturilor, ei aşează istoria în raport direct cu popoarele din care provin. La Andrić, istoria nu-i decât memorie populară, la Kadare, patologie specifică răului. La Andrić, ideologia se amestecă cu realitatea şi povestea populară, conturând Balcanii într-un amestec savant de Orient    şi Occident. La Kadare, singura ideologie acceptabilă este albanismul. Primul descrie cu acuratețe curgerea timpului prin conştiința populară, al doilea instrumentează rănile de moarte cauzate de boala numită „istorie”.

Cristian Robu Corcan – dr. în filologie, scriitor, editor de carte

Cuvinte-cheie: Balcani, mitopoezie, folclor, Orient, Occident, maoism.

Rezumat

Andrić şi Kadare redau în operele lor imaginea intimă a Balcanilor. Mitopoetica lormetamorfozează toate înțelesurile istorice în simboluri populare. Prin re-crearea miturilor, eiaşează istoria în raport direct cu popoarele din care provin. La Andrić, istoria nu-i decâtmemorie populară, la Kadare, patologie specifică răului. La Andrić, ideologia se amestecă curealitatea  şi  povestea  populară,  conturând  Balcanii  într-un  amestec  savant  de  Orient  şiOccident.  La  Kadare,  singura  ideologie  acceptabilă  este  albanismul. Primul descrie cuacuratețe curgerea timpului prin conştiința populară, al doilea instrumentează rănile de moartecauzate de boala numită „istorie”.

Carmen Dărăbuș – Universitatea „Sf. Kliment Ohridski” din Sofia Universitatea Tehnică din Cluj-Napoca

Cuvinte-cheie: Balcani, mitopoezie, folclor, Orient, Occident, maoism

Rezumat

Cuvântul „etnie” provine din termenul grecesc „ethnos”, care înseamnă națiune. Cuvântul „democrație” este tot de origine grecească. Cu toate acestea, atunci când vine vorba despre drepturile democratice ale unei comunități etnice, cele două concepte par inexistente în Grecia de astăzi. În Grecia, oficial vorbind, există doar greci. Evreii şi armenii sunt, totuşi, minorități recunoscute în Grecia, dar niciuna dintre aceste două comunități nu e suficientă, numeric vorbind, pentru a popula un oraş. Țară democratică, Grecia discută cu reținere despre etnii şi are dificultăți în fața dilemei „naționalism vs drepturi”. Acesta este un reflex specific mai multor țări care au fost înființate ca state naționale, după o lungă perioadă de dispariție din istorie. Printre etniile din Grecia, principala minoritate semi-recunoscută sunt turcii din Tracia de Vest, descrisă adesea drept „minoritatea musulmană” din Grecia. În plus, multe alte comunități, precum slavii macedoneni, aromânii (vlahi), arvaniții şi albanezii, găgăuzii şi urumii continuă să trăiască în Grecia, dar îşi pierd, zi de zi, cultura şi limba. Scopul acestui studiu este să analizeze diversitatea etnică în Tracia de Vest.

Rezultatul cercetărilor de teren nu trebuie să ducă la o „demonizare” a Greciei, ci, mai curând, la o înțelegere a motivelor care au generat această situație. Din perspectiva geografiei umane şi politice, sunt analizate principalele etnii din această regiune.

Yüksel Bekir Hoș Trakya – University, Balkan Research Institute

Cuvinte-cheie: etnie, Grecia, geografie, turci, greci, urumi, găgăuzi.

Rezumat

Aromânii formează mai multe grupuri, care diferă între ele prin unele particularități lingvistice, la care se adaugă elemente specifice privind îmbrăcămintea, muzica, anumite obiceiuri, precum şi stilul de viață şi ocupațiile. Cele mai importante grupuri sunt: pindenii, grămostenii, fărşeroții, grabovenii, la care se adaugă câteva grupuri mai mici: aromânii din Beala de Sus şi din Beala de Jos (sate de lângă Struga, Macedonia), aromânii din localitățile Mulovişte şi Gopeş (lângă Bitola, R. Macedonia de Nord).

Dintre românii din sudul Dunării, aromânii sunt singurii care au păstrat până astăzi denumirea etnică, numindu-se aromâni (armâni, rămăni, sg. armân, rămăn), desemnare care, ca şi dacorom. rumân (<lat. ROMANUS), evidențiază originea lor latină. Popoarele din Balcani îi numesc, în general, vlahi (valahi), termen care desemnează întreaga populație romanizată din nordul şi sudul Dunării. Separarea dialectului aromân de româna comună este un moment important în istoria limbii române. Sextil Puşcariu subliniază unitatea formată de dialectele din sudul Dunării şi daco-română, definind româna comună drept limba vorbită de strămoşii daco-românilor, aromânilor, megleno-românilor şi istroromânilor de astăzi, mai înainte ca orice contact dintre aceştia să fie întrerupt. (Sextil Puşcariu, 1937). Toate aceste grupuri de români formau o unitate relativă şi vorbeau aceeaşi limbă, relativ unitară. Prin elementele sale conservatoare, mai ales în domeniul foneticii, aromâna este foarte asemănătoare cu româna comună. Inovațiile pe care le constatăm pot fi explicate atât prin evoluția internă a dialectului, cât şi prin influența exercitată de limbile balcanice asupra aromânei.

Nicolae Saramandu, Manuela Nevaci

Cuvinte-cheie: aromâni, româna comună, românii sud-dunăreni, dialecte sud- dunărene.

Rezumat

„Oberliht” prezintă o argumentație inedită – în patru secvențe – care justifică omniprezenta unui detaliu arhitectural în patrimoniul modernist al României, aparent inexplicabilă prin comparație cu arhitectura internațională a acelui timp. Pornind de la un interes catalizat de o experineță personală, hubloul de fațadă devine o cheie de apartenență nu doar pentru stilul interbelic românesc, ci şi pentru aspirațiile locale ale perioadei.

Radu Mircea Comșa

Cuvinte cheie: Interbelic, Modernism, Marcel Iancu, Oberliht.

Rezumat

„Oberliht” prezintă o argumentație inedită – în patru secvențe – care justifică omniprezenta unui detaliu arhitectural în patrimoniul modernist al României, aparent inexplicabilă prin comparație cu arhitectura internațională a acelui timp. Pornind de la un interes catalizat de o experineță personală, hubloul de fațadă devine o cheie de apartenență nu doar pentru stilul interbelic românesc, ci şi pentru aspirațiile locale ale perioadei.

Alina Partenie

Cuvinte cheie: Interbelic, Modernism, Marcel Iancu, Oberliht,

REZUMAT

Lucrarea de față analizează colecțiile private construite în jurul celor mai cunoscute echipe de fotbal bucureştene, din perspectiva culturii materiale, accentul fiind pus pe ipostazele sociale ale schimbului şi modalitățile prin care este construită valoarea obiectelor. De asemenea, o atenție sporită este acordată aspectelor socio-culturale definitorii pentru grupul colecționarilor de materiale sportive, fără a se urmări o analiză comprehensivă a fenomenului colecționării în general. Principalele întrebări de cercetare formulate înainte de culegerea datelor empirice sunt: cum se construieşte valoarea obiectelor şi care sunt ipostazele schimbului?

Rareș Mușătoiu

Cuvinte-cheie: istoria fotbalului, post-socialism, colecționari de obiecte de fotbal, observație participativă, interacțiune socială.

Rezumat

Lucrarea este construită pornind de la maniera în care omul contemporan din marele urban experimentează astăzi odihna, nu doar ca manieră obligatorie de repaus, ci, mai ales ca trăire interioară. Întrebarea de la care porneşte întreaga lucrare este legată de măsura în care omul actual, ocupat şi obosit, doarme (natural) şi /sau se odihneşte (cultural) în acelaşi mod determinat şi programat în care munceşte. Maniera în care spațiile de repaus, diurnă sau nocturnă, reuşesc să-l mai odihnească, oamenii din jur său îl obosesc sau îl odihnesc, asociațiile pe care perna, salteaua, patul, în general, rămân la stadiul de obiecte concrete sau capătă elemente de spațiu interior al ființei în care omul simte să se cufunde pentru a renaşte pentru munca de a doua zi, toate acestea se regăsesc în prezenta lucrare, purtătoare a unei singure ambiții: de a surprinde cum se raportează omul de azi, din Bucureşti, la această parte a existenței sale, teoretic spontană, practic, în unele cazuri, purtând şi repercursiunile dureroase ale voinței lui “Eu”.

Lucrarea porneşte de la descrierea odihnei şi pretextelor acesteia (spațiale şi temporale) aşa cum au fost acestea transmise într-o serie de lucrări de secol XX, cu precădere, dar şi eterne (precum cuvântul biblic) şi concretizează situația actuală printr-o colecție de interviuri desfăşurate pe teren, în Bucureşti, cu femei şi bărbați, la începutul, spre finalul sau în plină viață profesională.

Lavinia Țânculescu-Popa

Cuvinte cheie: odihnă şi muncă, pat, ritm natural nocturn, antropologia sănătății.