It is important to consider the influence of Orientalism and Balkanism on modern Balkan perceptions as well as historical ones. The ethnic and religious factors which have fostered conflict in the region, including the Srebrenica genocide show the relevance of ideas pertaining to perceptions of the Balkans. One such example is what Jelena Subotić refers to in “Stories States Tell: Identity, Narrative, and Human Rights in the Balkans.” According to Subotić, state narratives that become hegemonic “deprive alternative ones of the possibility of winning arguments” (1).

Subotić examines the state narratives of Croatia and Serbia, both of which are important in understanding how the countries of former Yugoslavia allow ideas to flourish. One thing which I think is relevant is the recent events in Ukraine, especially when we consider Russia’s potential influence in the Balkans. A recent article titled “Bound to Russia: Serbia’s disruptive neutrality” states that “Serbia’s close relationship with Russia has aided the spread of Russian influence in the Balkans.” The article also mentions a recent poll that shows that 95 percent of Serbian citizens see Russia “as either an ally or a necessary partner”(2). Not to mention the impact of war on the dominant narratives of Balkan countries, where support for Russia may lead to further problems. Although I haven’t focused on current political trends as much as on the ideas which influence discourse around Muslims in the Balkans and perceptions within Europe, the war in Ukraine should be considered as well.

Author: Ayse Pirge

(1) Subotić, Jelena. “Stories States Tell: Identity, Narrative, and Human Rights in the Balkans.” Slavic Review, vol. 72, no. 2, [Cambridge University Press, Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies], 2013, pp. 306–26, https://doi.org/10.5612/slavicreview.72.2.0306.

(2) https://ecfr.eu/article/bound-to-russia-serbias-disruptive-neutrality/