Croatology, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2011.
Review article
The Cultural Identity of Osijek in the Final Decade of the 20th Century – the Paradox of Space
Mirta Bijuković Maršić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3739-4616
; Odjel za kulturologiju Sveučilišta J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Abstract
Osijek is a town of major culturological projects. In the early days of the Croatian Homeland War, cultural activities were very intense and diverse, mediawise. Culture as a response to war marked the entire Slavonian region, but this paper focuses mainly on Osijek, the biggest Slavonian city. The paper will present projects and authors published in Kult, a feuilleton of Glas Slavonije, and the Književna revija magazine. The projects will be shown in the context of literature, art, music and their contribution to culturological space. Wartime literature in Osijek has a complex identity and is represented by the written word, pictures, sound and movement.
A new cultural scene was formed, whose energy influenced the town’s efficient survival. A new space for urban culture was established. Media and genre markings were intertwined. The space paradox is evident in large-scale culturological projects in a difficult and dramatic period for the city, as well as the Slavonian region and
the whole of Croatia. Historical and culturological sources meet contemporary modernism as a model for themselves and their identity. Prior to the war, Osijek was held back by communist supervision of its cultural institutions, arts and media. In contrast, during the war the city became more aware of its regional values, and its scientists and cultural workers became advocates of homeland-based projects. In terms of the media, Osijek operated individually, yet self-critically and without authoritarianism,
mainly due to Glas Slavonije.
Keywords
Osijek; Kult; culturological projects; the 1990s; the Croatian Homeland War
Hrčak ID:
75491
URI
Publication date:
30.11.2011.
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