25 / 2007
Maša Mikola
Quiet observer in the silent field: Ethnography and the present timeABSTRACT
Ethnography as a methodological discipline today is challenged by many recent developments in the anthropological and sociological disciplines, mobility and movement, cross-cultural and transnational ties etc. Ethnographers deal with an increasingly mixed world of cultural elements. The position and the ambiguity of the researcher within the process of social inquiry has always been an important part of the anthropological methodological debate. With the debates on translocalities and globalisation proliferating links between places become more important. Contextual and demographic changes within the discipline raise new issues about identities of anthropologists in relation to those they study. Even though few would still question the legitimacy and value of multi-site ethnography today, the difficulties in actually doing it remain. As Susanne Friedberg notes, “they pose more or less formidable obstacles depending on the scope of the project and the time, money and other resources available” (Friedberg, 2001: 362-363). Not only aims, but the character of the multilocal or translocal (Hannerz, 2003) ethnography is changing the face of the discipline. Anthropology was traditionally inclined to ambiguities, passages and travels over and beyond the context, as well as beyond space and time. The recent changes however pose some new epistemological questions as well as some new ethical concerns. Not only that the places and sites of the ethnographic inquiry become less important, the people may become less important too. Broadening of the geographical field of ethnography has at the same time not brought many changes in the representation of the field. In the context of the anthropological standard that has not changed over time this paper uses the notions of 'otherising' and ‘silencing’ to explain some of the basic ways ethnographers built representations of other cultures and other people. The author negotiates the notion of the recognition, specifically in relation to the politics of recognition, and discusses the concept of authenticity that evolves from the politics of recognition. The paper examines the construction of the subject-object relation between the ethnographers and their subject area. It explores the shift in the nature of ethnographer’s connection to places and explains the idea of “being there… and there… and there” – the geographical connotation that justifies the authoritative position of the researcher in a globalised world. Even though the ethnographic practice was always difficult to identify, ethnography has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades. Ethnography nowadays is not simply characterised by the movement of the researcher from one stable and fixed place to another. Even when the ethnographer does not physically move, the travel can be happening. Not only the physical movement is important, crossing the borders of non-physical, imaginative world has become more common in ethnographic research of the present as well.
25 / 2007
Maša Mikola
Quiet observer in the silent field: Ethnography and the present timeABSTRACT
Ethnography as a methodological discipline today is challenged by many recent developments in the anthropological and sociological disciplines, mobility and movement, cross-cultural and transnational ties etc. Ethnographers deal with an increasingly mixed world of cultural elements. The position and the ambiguity of the researcher within the process of social inquiry has always been an important part of the anthropological methodological debate. With the debates on translocalities and globalisation proliferating links between places become more important. Contextual and demographic changes within the discipline raise new issues about identities of anthropologists in relation to those they study. Even though few would still question the legitimacy and value of multi-site ethnography today, the difficulties in actually doing it remain. As Susanne Friedberg notes, “they pose more or less formidable obstacles depending on the scope of the project and the time, money and other resources available” (Friedberg, 2001: 362-363). Not only aims, but the character of the multilocal or translocal (Hannerz, 2003) ethnography is changing the face of the discipline. Anthropology was traditionally inclined to ambiguities, passages and travels over and beyond the context, as well as beyond space and time. The recent changes however pose some new epistemological questions as well as some new ethical concerns. Not only that the places and sites of the ethnographic inquiry become less important, the people may become less important too. Broadening of the geographical field of ethnography has at the same time not brought many changes in the representation of the field. In the context of the anthropological standard that has not changed over time this paper uses the notions of 'otherising' and ‘silencing’ to explain some of the basic ways ethnographers built representations of other cultures and other people. The author negotiates the notion of the recognition, specifically in relation to the politics of recognition, and discusses the concept of authenticity that evolves from the politics of recognition. The paper examines the construction of the subject-object relation between the ethnographers and their subject area. It explores the shift in the nature of ethnographer’s connection to places and explains the idea of “being there… and there… and there” – the geographical connotation that justifies the authoritative position of the researcher in a globalised world. Even though the ethnographic practice was always difficult to identify, ethnography has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades. Ethnography nowadays is not simply characterised by the movement of the researcher from one stable and fixed place to another. Even when the ethnographer does not physically move, the travel can be happening. Not only the physical movement is important, crossing the borders of non-physical, imaginative world has become more common in ethnographic research of the present as well.
25 / 2007
Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić
The lifestyle of the Croatian emigration corpus in Australia: experiences, opinions and standpoints of young Australian CroatsABSTRACT
In the beginning of the 21st century, the Australian Croats represent one of the largest ethnic communities in Australia. The Republic of Croatia as a traditional emigration country belongs in the group of European states with relatively largest a number of emigrants or citizens outside own borders; in such context the work outlines the lifestyle of the Croatian emigration corpus in Australia, based in experiences, views and standpoints of the young generation of Australian Croats. Established are four massive emigration waves from Croatia. The period from 1880ies to World War I is considered the first larger emigration wave to overseas lands and emigration being caused by politics and economy. After World War II, the second large wave of emigration of Croats begins, caused by insufficient development of the country and as well by communist regime in the former state. The next larger emigration wave of Croatian citizens began in the sixties of the previous century, induced by the liberalisation of the state policy regarding the so-called temporary work abroad, to Western European countries, and caused by the poor condition of labour market in Croatia and Western European labour market demands. In the nineties of the previous century, the fourth greater wave of emigration of Croats across the borders of their native state began due to the aggression on the Republic of Croatia; the so-called forced migration began of a certain number of Croats from the major territory of the Republic of Croatia, and from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.
In the first part, the contribution studies the historical dimension of Croatian emigrants in Australia while in the second stress is on the fieldwork that was carried out in 2003 in Australia, and is based on an analysis of interviews taken with the young generation of Croatian emigrants living in the state of New South Wales. Based on past researches, a reconstruction of the historical context is presented and an analysis of emigration; on the foundations of existing experiences, views and standpoints of the young generation of Croatian emigrants some conclusions were made on the lifestyle of the Croatian emigration corpus in the multicultural society of Australia. The selected cases indicate that the young generation of Australian Croats considers the knowledge of English language and post secondary education crucial for success and the achievement of wanted life and business goals. Through the increased interest in higher education, the younger generation of Croatian emigrants pointed out that they succeeded exclusively by adequate education to accomplish their goals, influence on the change of their social status and lifestyle. At the same time, the young Australian Croats give emphasis to insufficient practicing of the Croatian language, which could in due course result in total integration in the Australian multicultural society, and that they are not adequately represented in the existing associations, clubs and societies, which will in the future lead to problems regarding the taking over of the responsibility of guiding the Croatian community in Australia.
25 / 2007
Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić
The lifestyle of the Croatian emigration corpus in Australia: experiences, opinions and standpoints of young Australian CroatsABSTRACT
In the beginning of the 21st century, the Australian Croats represent one of the largest ethnic communities in Australia. The Republic of Croatia as a traditional emigration country belongs in the group of European states with relatively largest a number of emigrants or citizens outside own borders; in such context the work outlines the lifestyle of the Croatian emigration corpus in Australia, based in experiences, views and standpoints of the young generation of Australian Croats. Established are four massive emigration waves from Croatia. The period from 1880ies to World War I is considered the first larger emigration wave to overseas lands and emigration being caused by politics and economy. After World War II, the second large wave of emigration of Croats begins, caused by insufficient development of the country and as well by communist regime in the former state. The next larger emigration wave of Croatian citizens began in the sixties of the previous century, induced by the liberalisation of the state policy regarding the so-called temporary work abroad, to Western European countries, and caused by the poor condition of labour market in Croatia and Western European labour market demands. In the nineties of the previous century, the fourth greater wave of emigration of Croats across the borders of their native state began due to the aggression on the Republic of Croatia; the so-called forced migration began of a certain number of Croats from the major territory of the Republic of Croatia, and from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.
In the first part, the contribution studies the historical dimension of Croatian emigrants in Australia while in the second stress is on the fieldwork that was carried out in 2003 in Australia, and is based on an analysis of interviews taken with the young generation of Croatian emigrants living in the state of New South Wales. Based on past researches, a reconstruction of the historical context is presented and an analysis of emigration; on the foundations of existing experiences, views and standpoints of the young generation of Croatian emigrants some conclusions were made on the lifestyle of the Croatian emigration corpus in the multicultural society of Australia. The selected cases indicate that the young generation of Australian Croats considers the knowledge of English language and post secondary education crucial for success and the achievement of wanted life and business goals. Through the increased interest in higher education, the younger generation of Croatian emigrants pointed out that they succeeded exclusively by adequate education to accomplish their goals, influence on the change of their social status and lifestyle. At the same time, the young Australian Croats give emphasis to insufficient practicing of the Croatian language, which could in due course result in total integration in the Australian multicultural society, and that they are not adequately represented in the existing associations, clubs and societies, which will in the future lead to problems regarding the taking over of the responsibility of guiding the Croatian community in Australia.
25 / 2007
Ksenija Šabec
Ethnic, regional and national identities in the context of European cross border cooperation opportunities: a case study of Italian ethnic community in Slovene IstriABSTRACT
The article proceeds from the main research question about the effects of EU integration and cross border cooperation initiatives on the border region of Slovene Istria as a whole and Italian ethnic community in particular in terms of its socio-economic and cultural activity and identity issue. The authoress tries to expose the historical review of the cross border cooperation between Slovenia and Italy prior to the EU programmes and afterwards and the activity of the Italian ethnic community in the latter. Within the framework of the former Yugoslavia from the 1960s on and especially with the increasing openness of political borders, the political, economic and geographical position of Slovenia had been growing stronger: first in the framework of the Alps-Adriatic Working Community in the context of Central Europe, then in the context of the Central European Initiative, and finally within the European space as a whole (European Union). On the methodological basis of in-depth interviews conducted among members of the Italian ethnic community in Slovenia (Slovene Istria) and among members of the majority population in the period between August 2005 and May 2006 it can be suggested that the following three general consequences have been the most noteworthy from the 1990s to date: the division of the Italian ethnic community between two independent and autonomous states (Slovenia and Croatia), complicated further by the fact that only one of the two states became an EU member in 2004;economic weakness and dependence of the Italian community on government subsidies;European integration and cross-border cooperation opportunities. Finally, the article concludes with the perceptions of different ethnic, regional and national identities on the case under study within the broader European space with regard to the cross border cooperation incentives.
25 / 2007
Ksenija Šabec
Ethnic, regional and national identities in the context of European cross border cooperation opportunities: a case study of Italian ethnic community in Slovene IstriABSTRACT
The article proceeds from the main research question about the effects of EU integration and cross border cooperation initiatives on the border region of Slovene Istria as a whole and Italian ethnic community in particular in terms of its socio-economic and cultural activity and identity issue. The authoress tries to expose the historical review of the cross border cooperation between Slovenia and Italy prior to the EU programmes and afterwards and the activity of the Italian ethnic community in the latter. Within the framework of the former Yugoslavia from the 1960s on and especially with the increasing openness of political borders, the political, economic and geographical position of Slovenia had been growing stronger: first in the framework of the Alps-Adriatic Working Community in the context of Central Europe, then in the context of the Central European Initiative, and finally within the European space as a whole (European Union). On the methodological basis of in-depth interviews conducted among members of the Italian ethnic community in Slovenia (Slovene Istria) and among members of the majority population in the period between August 2005 and May 2006 it can be suggested that the following three general consequences have been the most noteworthy from the 1990s to date: the division of the Italian ethnic community between two independent and autonomous states (Slovenia and Croatia), complicated further by the fact that only one of the two states became an EU member in 2004;economic weakness and dependence of the Italian community on government subsidies;European integration and cross-border cooperation opportunities. Finally, the article concludes with the perceptions of different ethnic, regional and national identities on the case under study within the broader European space with regard to the cross border cooperation incentives.
25 / 2007
Mirjam Milharčič-Hladnik
Marie Prisland – her role in preserving Slovenian culture and tradition among Slovenian migrants in the United StatesABSTRACT
Marie Prisland came to the United States in 1906 as a fifteen year old girl. In 1926 she founded Slovenian Women’s Union of America and was its national president for twenty years. In 1929 she created a magazine Zarja - The Dawn, which became the official publication of the Women’s Union and to which she contributed regularly. She was active in different Slovenian-American organizations and wrote for many newspapers and magazines in Slovenia and America throughout her life. She strived for the preservation of Slovenian culture and tradition but also for the progress and development of Slovenian communities. The text shows how strong was her determination to help Slovenian migrant women in the United States to obtain the position of authority and respect. As much as she wished to preserve the traditional gender roles, she believed that only a changed, respected Slovenian woman with authority could become a part of the history of Slovenians in the States and in the homeland.
25 / 2007
Mirjam Milharčič-Hladnik
Marie Prisland – her role in preserving Slovenian culture and tradition among Slovenian migrants in the United StatesABSTRACT
Marie Prisland came to the United States in 1906 as a fifteen year old girl. In 1926 she founded Slovenian Women’s Union of America and was its national president for twenty years. In 1929 she created a magazine Zarja - The Dawn, which became the official publication of the Women’s Union and to which she contributed regularly. She was active in different Slovenian-American organizations and wrote for many newspapers and magazines in Slovenia and America throughout her life. She strived for the preservation of Slovenian culture and tradition but also for the progress and development of Slovenian communities. The text shows how strong was her determination to help Slovenian migrant women in the United States to obtain the position of authority and respect. As much as she wished to preserve the traditional gender roles, she believed that only a changed, respected Slovenian woman with authority could become a part of the history of Slovenians in the States and in the homeland.
25 / 2007
Janja Žitnik Serafin
Emigrant literature and periodicals: eloquent statisticABSTRACT
In this contribution, I attempt with the help of a comparison of statistical data to ascertain some possible influences on the dynamics of literary publishing and newspaper activity of three Slovene immigrant groups, the pre-war Slovene immigrants in the USA, pre-war Slovene immigrants in Argentina, and after-war Slovene immigrants in Argentina. The choice of communities I discuss within the frame of this comparison includes on the one side at least partly the collective (cross covering) historical period of Slovene immigration in two different states, and on the other, two different historical periods of Slovene immigration in one state, which facilitates the ascertaining of eventual presence of certain influences, and the eliminating of possibilities of some other impacts. The many-years trends of rise and fall of values shown in Pictures 3-5, indicate a characteristic parable of the dynamics of the immigrant community cultural life. In comparing ratios between absolute values, supplemented with data on the extent and time span of the mass immigration wave with the treated communities (Tables 1-3), we are confronted with some distinctive deviations that cannot be explained merely by the influence of basic aspects of cultural life in emigration (particularly the size, territorial concentration, regeneration of the community with new coming immigrants, immigration “service” of the majority of community, and general conditions for individual activities in a given space and time), but they also indicate indisputably the influence of secondary factors (Picture 2). With the second belletristic book production pinnacle of the pre-war immigrant community in the USA (1976-80), the degree of integration in the culture of the new homeland country is undoubtedly evident. We are speaking of mainly literary book publications of the second generation of Slovene immigrants in the USA, which were published mostly by the authors, and partly by some publishing houses of the American mainstream. Just as much clearly expressed in the absolute peak of belletristic book production of the after-war immigrant community in Argentina (1991-1996) is the influence of integration in the culture of the source country. The most belletristic books by the post-war Slovene emigrants in Argentina and of their descendants that were published in Slovenia were issued in the years 1991-1996 when the integration of the Slovene emigrant literature in the primary culture and literary science was at its peak. Those very works (without reprints) present as much as 73 percent of belletristic books of the after-war immigrant community in Argentina in the mentioned period.
25 / 2007
Janja Žitnik Serafin
Emigrant literature and periodicals: eloquent statisticABSTRACT
In this contribution, I attempt with the help of a comparison of statistical data to ascertain some possible influences on the dynamics of literary publishing and newspaper activity of three Slovene immigrant groups, the pre-war Slovene immigrants in the USA, pre-war Slovene immigrants in Argentina, and after-war Slovene immigrants in Argentina. The choice of communities I discuss within the frame of this comparison includes on the one side at least partly the collective (cross covering) historical period of Slovene immigration in two different states, and on the other, two different historical periods of Slovene immigration in one state, which facilitates the ascertaining of eventual presence of certain influences, and the eliminating of possibilities of some other impacts. The many-years trends of rise and fall of values shown in Pictures 3-5, indicate a characteristic parable of the dynamics of the immigrant community cultural life. In comparing ratios between absolute values, supplemented with data on the extent and time span of the mass immigration wave with the treated communities (Tables 1-3), we are confronted with some distinctive deviations that cannot be explained merely by the influence of basic aspects of cultural life in emigration (particularly the size, territorial concentration, regeneration of the community with new coming immigrants, immigration “service” of the majority of community, and general conditions for individual activities in a given space and time), but they also indicate indisputably the influence of secondary factors (Picture 2). With the second belletristic book production pinnacle of the pre-war immigrant community in the USA (1976-80), the degree of integration in the culture of the new homeland country is undoubtedly evident. We are speaking of mainly literary book publications of the second generation of Slovene immigrants in the USA, which were published mostly by the authors, and partly by some publishing houses of the American mainstream. Just as much clearly expressed in the absolute peak of belletristic book production of the after-war immigrant community in Argentina (1991-1996) is the influence of integration in the culture of the source country. The most belletristic books by the post-war Slovene emigrants in Argentina and of their descendants that were published in Slovenia were issued in the years 1991-1996 when the integration of the Slovene emigrant literature in the primary culture and literary science was at its peak. Those very works (without reprints) present as much as 73 percent of belletristic books of the after-war immigrant community in Argentina in the mentioned period.