Grassroots creativity in arts and culture: a comparative analysis of case studies from the Balkans

Abstract

This article examines self-organised grassroots initiatives in the creative and cultural sector of the Balkans, a region that has experienced significant socio-political shifts over the past three decades. The study focuses on three distinct case studies: Embros Theatre in Athens, Greece; Lumbardhi Cinema in Prizren, Kosovo; and Uzina Cultural Centre in Tirana, Albania. Theoretically, it draws on theory of agonistic practices (Mouffe 2005, 2013) and theories of care and repair (Graziano and Trogal 2017; Puig de la Bellacasa 2017; The Care Collective 2020) to analyse the formation, operation, and collective activities of these initiatives. The paper posits that grassroots initiatives emerge as counter-spaces in response to inadequate cultural infrastructure, limited funding and investment and scarce resources. At the same time, they exemplify more inclusive and “care-full” work models, carrying also the potential to spark change in their local communities by developing support networks.