Original scientific paper

To Remove the Anathema of the Balkans

Bogdan Sekulić ; Institute Ruđer Bošković, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to outline some essential characteristics regarding the removal of the Balkans anathema. This is primarily the question of the etymology of the word ‘Balkans’ and the disregard for the original name and the real geographic area covered by the Stara planina mountain chain. The paper will focus on the error running through the related literature regarding the adoption and introduction of the word Balkans by the first European researchers. Finally, the paper will discuss the problem of giving the name of the Balkan Peninsula to all the countries located today in that region on the basis of the incorrect geological and geographical conclusions of European researchers at the beginning of the 19th century. In addition, the paper addresses some historical grounds concerning the nations in this area due to which the name ‘the Balkans’ has remained up to the present time. The paper presents a critical view on the current practice of utterly negative labelling of that region from the ethical standpoint, and gives an authentic value base for some future approaches to that area.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

27977

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27977

Publication date:

16.1.2000.

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