Komise pro slovník sudetoněmeckých nářečí Německé akademie věd v Praze a její materiály v archivu Univerzity Karlovy

Author(s): Jana Ratajová / Language(s): Czech Issue: 1/2016

In 2013, the Institute of German Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Charles University in Prague handed over to the Archive of the Charles University materials of a Committee for a Dictionary of Sudeten-German Dialects of the German Academy of Sciences in Prague. These materials contain notes from the Committee’s meetings but also source materials for the creation of the dictionary and a language atlas of Sudeten-German dialects (including completed questionnaires and maps). Smaller part of the materials consists of personal documents of Ernst Schwarz, president of the Committee and professor of the German University in Prague. The aim of our contribution is to present, based on the study of surviving materials, an outline of activities of this Commission, including its predecessors, and to describe the surviving written documents related to it.

W okowach etniczności? Wybrane partie etnoregionalne w Serbii i Chorwacji (1990–2012)

Author(s): Dominika Mikucka-Wójtowicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 45/2014

In the last twenty years we have been able to observe an increase in the significance of regional and ethnic identities (“reethnification”), and a resultant proliferation of ethnoregional and regional groupings. But although ethnoregionalist parties (ERP) are widespread in both Western and Central and Eastern Europe, there remains surprisingly little literature differentiating between the various kinds of ethnoregionalist parties and dealing with the lack of common definition of this kind of political actors. Some scholars even propose using a broader term – ethnic party. Moreover, over the years many scholars have believed (and some continue to) that their emergence in multicultural societies conjures up the politicisation of ethnic division and – practically inevitably – leads to “ethnic outbidding”, threatening to the stability of democracy. In the first part of the paper, the author deals with the conceptualisation of ethnoregionalist parties, examining the diversifications of their demands and strategies and showing that to gain voters they can invoke a much broader repertoire of strategies than the ethnic outbidding model suggested. The second part of the article is devoted to the problem of operation of selected ERPs in Serbia and Croatia. The analysis covers Hungarian parties in Serbia and Serbian ones in Croatia. In the concluding remarks, the author tries to point out the main reasons for the changes in their strategy (as well as demands) over time.

Urban Culture, Religious Conversion, and Crossing Ethnic Fluidity among the Bulgarian Muslims (“Pomaks”)

Author(s): Milena Benovska-Sabkova / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2015

As a field of culture, the family enterprise shows that in the current European societies the economic opera-tion does not proceed only from a purely rational point of view and that notwithstanding the common speaking of globalization, the local may be a prerequisite for successful economic development. My objective has been to show, proceeding from an example from a small Bulgarian town, that the family enterprise is a field of culture in which the observed phenomena are strongly influenced by the social inclusion of the en-terprise and by its tie-up with the context of the urban environment. I shall investigate in what way local social and cultural resources are intensively used in the process of setting up and functioning of a family enterprise from the sphere of hoteldom and tourism in the town of Belogradchik. I intend to study whether these resources are conducive to the economic prosperity of the firm. Another research objective is to estab-lish the manner of identification of the enterprise with the town, with the region and the local culture by way of the services provided (tourist and restaurant). I shall look for an answer to the question of how the enterprise’ working realm fits in the concrete cultural, historical and social context of the town.

Значај „двоструке укорењености“ (Потенцијал исељеника у међународним интеракцијама и креирању имиџа држава)

Author(s): Branislav Pantović,Ivana Bašić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1/2015

This paper closely examines the influence of trans-migrants on the formation and development of interac-tions between the country of origin and the adopted country, based on the previous ethnoantropological, politicological, sociological and communicological researches. The potential of migrant activities is studied in interactions between countries, societies and cultures, as well as in the formation of national and country images. The dual identity and dual ideology of trans-migrants is viewed as an important factor for possible improvement of international relations, while avoiding unnecessary segregations and conflicts. Therefore, research of different aspects of cultural, economic and political cooperation with members of various mi-grant groups could lead to results that could stimulate overall improvement of international communica-tion and other interactions, minimalising 'problematic' differences between societies. The results of the re-search can also be used to form a well-thought activity wich is important for an appropriate functioning in global processes. Non-existence of the activity could result in an inability of a country to successfully com-municate in international relations but also with its own citizens. The aim of this work is to incite further research and discussions about the relations between the migrants, the country of origin and the adopted country, with the diaspora acting as the potential springboard for future development of international rela-tions while applying the scientific conclusions on the creation of the national strategy in a sense of defining the international relations and the policy of identity.

Gypsies in the Middle East in Past and Present Contexts

Author(s): Marwan Al-Absi,Eva Al-Absiová / Language(s): English Issue: 08/2014

The article deals with Gypsy issues in the territory of the Middle East. The authors analyse selected contexts of ethno-linguistic, socio-cultural and socio-political identity of the Middle Eastern Gypsy communities with emphasis on Syria and Iraq. They also describe the historical background of the topic, necessary for understanding the current situation of Gypsies in Arab society. Gypsy communities living in the Middle Eastern countries are scattered throughout the ethnically and religiously distinct population of the region. In the host country they are often marginalized and conflicts tend to break out between them and the majority population. Gypsies are not involved in political decision-making processes and have no opportunities to apply for their rights as an ethnic minority. They cannot develop their language and culture and, consequently, their political ambitions. Long-term conflicts in the Middle East hinder the improvement of the status of the Gypsies in Arab society. The authors draw on Western and Arab sources and they also rely on their own experience, gained during their ten-year stay in Syria, and on information from interviews with Syrian Gypsies and Iraqi refugees.

Moravian regionalism, framing of minority claims, invention of ethnopolitics

Author(s): Lukáš Novotný / Language(s): English Issue: 09/2015

Nowadays, a German minority in the Czech Republic accounts for only fraction of its once numerous representation. According to the census, the minority amounts to 18,772 members; only very few of them maintain a German language at the level of a native language. According to the latest census, none of the municipalities registers at least 10% of Germans, which would grant this minority some benefits anchored in Czech legal system, such as using the language in communication with the authorities or establishing bilingual names of municipalities. The paper herein examines the attitudes of citizens in the cities in Krušné Hory (Ore Mountains) in Karlovy Vary region vis-à-vis such activities. In three of them which were selected - Abertamy, Pernink, and Horní Blatná – the share of 10% was, actually, exceeded in the years 2001-2011. Yet, the minority there never claimed such rights. The research is both qualitative and quantitative and, besides a questionnaire research, it also contains interviews with the persons of German nationality.

A nyugati magyar diaszpóra visszaútja

Author(s): István Bakos / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 10/2015

Kisebbségi gólok? (vagy: Einstein és a Teremtés)

Author(s): Lajos Kántor / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 10/2015

Otthon mindenütt a magyar „szigettengereken”

Author(s): Béla Pomogáts / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 10/2015

LE KRIS DANS LES COMMUNAUTES ROM DE SUD-EST DE LA ROUMANIE. QUELLES SONT LES SOURCES POUR LA LEGITIMITE DES KRISNITORI ET DE LA PERPETUATION DU KRIS?

Author(s): Laura M. Herţa / Language(s): French Issue: 2/2016

This study aims at presenting and analysing pivotal cultural features and values which structure the Roma court (kris/stabor) in Romania. The main hypothesis of this article is centred on the idea that the Roma court (kris/stabor) functions as both constitutive and regulative normative body within Roma communities, hence ensuring the legitimacy of Roma judges (krisnitori), the survival and the perpetuation of the community itself. The research questions meant to structure this article are: Why do Roma people prefer the Roma court (kris/stabor) and not the national court in Romania? What are the sources for the legitimacy of the Roma court and Roma judges? What are the relations between the Roma court and the activity of the juridical, state apparatus? How is the Roma judgement perpetuated?

Aragónia és Katalónia között

Author(s): Krisztina Nemes / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2013

This article is about the special identity of the autocton catalan speaking community of Aragon. It deals with the language standardization process that often turns into decisions and declarations that have no scientific basis at all, but do serve merely political purposes. It also intends to give a closer sight on the people whose mother tongue and geographical position make up for a more complicated identity that makes the colourful patchwork of Spain.s cultureeven more gaudy. The magnifier we try to use here to make the nuances visible is the literature that helps discover details hidden by laws , press and other media.

Kisebbségi identitáskonstrukciók a kettős magyar állampolgárság által

Author(s): Z. Attila Papp / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2014

Az emlékezetirodalom: traumaközösség konstruálása vagy a kisebbségi kompetenciák kihasználása?

Author(s): Nándor Bárdi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2014

Gaucsík István: Lemorzsolódó kisebbség. A csehszlovákiai magyarság jogfosztásának gazdasági háttere 1945–1948. Pozsony, Kalligram, 2013, 406 oldal

Short Summary of the Constitutional Confirmation of the So-Called First Czechoslovak Republic. The Basic Premise for Establishment of National Minorities in the Social-Political Life of Interwar Czechoslovakia

Author(s): Andrej Tóth,Lukáš Novotný,Michal Stehlík / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2010

The study presents the First Czechoslovak Republic from 1918 to 1938 and examines the situation of the minorities.

Political Parties of Hungarian Minority in Interwar Czechoslovakia (1918-1938) – Brief Summary and Outline of the Issue

Author(s): Andrej Tóth / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2010

The study presents the Hungarian minorities, their main political formations and some persons interested in interwar Czechoslovakia.

Political Parties of the German Minority in Interwar Czechoslovakia (1918-1938) – Brief Summary and Outline of the Issue

Author(s): Lukáš Novotný / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2010

The study presents the German minorities, their political parties and persons in the interwar Czechoslovakia.

Peace through cultural interaction: the ethnic relations in Finland and Turkey

Author(s): Adél Furu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2014

This paper centres on the ethnic relations in Finland and Turkey, approaching the Black Sea region from a larger geographical and cultural perspective. I will examine how the governments of these two multicultural societies maintain good relations with their linguistic and cultural minorities. Through this paper I point out how close cultural relations with the Sami people maintain the peace in Finland. Peace in this area is implemented through culture and education. I will describe how Finland is involved in the implementation of educational programmes for the Sami and how it aims at acquainting the Finnish majority with various aspects of Sami cultural traditions. Moreover, the dialogue between these two cultures plays an important role in eliminating the prejudice that has stirred up conflicts for so many decades. Since the problem of the Kurdish people in Turkey is not only a problem within the borders, but also an international problem, in this paper I look at the ways in which the aspirations of the Kurds in Turkey have an impact on cross-border minority aspirations as well. Therefore, Turkey is expected to embrace a liberal legal approach and should put emphasis on the liberalization of minority politics.

Representations of suppressed indigenous cultural memories: the communities of Sami of Finland and Kurdish of Turkey

Author(s): Adél Furu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2015

In my paper I intend to examine how the historical marginalization of Sami and Kurdish history and culture affects the cultural identity of these ethnic groups. I discuss how recent political discourses and state interventions have influenced the images of the past and identity politics in the Sami communities living in Finland and in the Kurdish society living in Turkey. Furthermore, I describe how these assimilated minorities have alienated from their own identity due to a damage of their collective memory caused by devastating historical events. The paper also focuses on the ways these two minorities give meaning to the past and strengthen their cultural identities through different forms of art. Both Samis and Kurds express their identities in several creative ways. Their historical realities, individual histories, memories of assimilation and common values are reflected in joiks, folk music and cinema. These are strong ways of remembering and expressions of identity in both cultures. Traditional songs, films, documentaries reveal histories, reproduce cultures and shape the memories of both Sami and Kurdish people. Therefore, I will discuss how the patterns of their cultural memory have an impact on the representation of their identities in the above art forms.

Efforts Towards Roma Integration with Development Funds

Author(s): Szilvia Rézműves,Deyan Kolev / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2015

Deyan Kolev (Bulgarian) and Ádám Kullmann (Hungarian) are twoprofessionals with field work experience giving an insight into the use ofdevelopment funds targeted at Roma integration.

Efforts Towards Roma Integration with Development Funds – Insight Into Professional Views

Author(s): Szilvia Rézműves,Ádám Kullmann / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2015

Deyan Kolev (Bulgarian) and Ádám Kullmann (Hungarian) are twoprofessionals with field work experience giving an insight into the use ofdevelopment funds targeted at Roma integration.