Serbian Community Research Articles

Minimalism as an expression of visual identity on the Sephardic tombstones at the Belgrade Jewish cemetery

Sephardic tombstones at the Belgrade Jewish Cemetery provide a significant topic in studying the visual identity of the Jewish community in Serbia. Being symbols of the cultural history of a nation, they are also evidence of a style which became typical of the Sephardic Jews in the entire Balkans in the 18th and the 19th century. With their simplicity and minimalistic monumentality, they induced a certain contemplativeness in the observer, and their refined form inspired those who studied the funerary art to analyse their style which was created as a blend of 'traditions' of two nations. Here, we will try to connect this style of funerary art with the philosophical minimalism, which in case of the Jewish people occurred due to many historical and social circumstances. Not wishing to overrule the philosophical grounds on which this art school was born in the 1960s, the paper rather aims to recognize its first beginnings in the cult tombstone art, which in time gained on historical and religious value which the newly started art school excluded from its symbolism. If we place these types of tombstones into Einstein's relative time and space from which they emanate a different energy, then we can evoke the motto of the minimalistic art forms - The Less is More - where a deliberate absence of objectivity speaks louder than the objects themselves.

The Knowledge of Romani and School Readiness of Roma Children

The paper presents results from an international research project looking at Roma children between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. Thirty Roma children from Southwest Bulgaria and 30 Roma children from East Slovakia were tested with a psycholinguistic test in Romani language, measuring the knowledge of different grammatical categories. In most East European countries, the children are tested employing psychological/IQ tests in the official languages of the country and if the child does not understand the test task, because of a lack of knowledge in that language, s/he is deemed to have “light mental retardation”. The knowledge of the children on different grammatical categories in their mother tongue is not taken into account. For the first time in Europe, a psycholinguistic test was developed for measuring the knowledge in Romani (comprehension and production). Categories such as wh-questions, wh-complements, passive verbs, possessiveness, tense and aspect, learning new nouns and verbs are measured with newly developed test. The knowledge of the children is connected with two theories: the ecological theory of Ogbu (1978) and the integrative theory of child development (García Coll et al. 1996). Ogbu’s theory stresses the importance of the home culture in the development of the children and the theory of García Coll and her collaborators presents the home environment and the SES of the families as an important predictor for language development and school readiness of the minority/migrant children.
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ИСАИЈА АНТОНОВИЋ ЕПИСКОП АРАДСКИ И МИТРОПОЛИТ КАРЛОВАЧКИ (1731–1749)

Исаија (у световном животу Јован) Антоновић потицао је из угледне трговачке и занатлијске породице, која се из Новог Пазара доселила у Будим са патријархом Арсенијем III Црнојевићем. Економски напредак породице и утицај будимске српске општине у културном и политичком животу његовог народа несумњиво су утицали на Исаијино опредељење за свештенички и учитељски позив. Обудовео, постао је монах који се полако пењао јерархијским лествицама Карловачке митрополије до епископа и митрополита. На том путу показивао је велику ревност у одбрани православља, српског народа и његових права проистеклих из Привилегија, али и склоност ка непотребним нападима и сукобима са осталим епископима или патријархом, без обзира колико су они могли нанети штете, и цркви и народу. У том смислу се делатност Исаије Антоновића може узети за парадигму развоја карловачке јерархије у периоду од 1731. до 1749. Настојаћемо да у овом раду прикажемо његов успон од свештеника до митрополита, и уз позитивне и уз негативне радње током њега.

Accuracy of reported food intake in a sample of 7–10 year-old children in Serbia

ObjectivesChildren's ability to recall and report dietary intake is affected by age and cognitive skills. Dietary intake reporting accuracy in children is associated with age, weight status, cognitive, behavioural, social factors and dietary assessment techniques. This study analysed accuracy of 7–10 year-old children's reported food intake for one day. Study designValidation study. MethodsSample included 94 children aged 7–10 years (median = 9 years) from two elementary schools in a local community in Serbia. ‘My meals for one day’ questionnaire was a combination of 24-h recall and food recognition form. It included recalls for five meals: breakfast at home; snack at home; lunch at home; snack at school and dinner at home. Parental reports were used as reference information about children's food intake for meals obtained at home and observation was used to gain reference information for school meal. Observed and reported amounts were used to calculate omission rate, intrusion rate, corresponding, over-reported and unreported amounts of energy, correspondence rate and inflation ratio. ResultsOverall omission rate (37.5%) was higher than overall intrusion rate (36.7%). The same food item (bread) has been the most often correctly reported and omitted food item for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snack at school had the greatest mean correspondence rate (79.6%) and snack at home the highest mean inflation ratio (90.7%). ConclusionMost errors in children's recalls were incorrectly reported amounts and not the food items. The questionnaire should be improved to facilitate accurate reports of the amounts.

Fear and floods in Serbia: Citizens preparedness for responding to natural disaster

The consequences of the floods that had affected the area of Serbia in 2014 indicated a very low level of preparedness of population to respond to natural disasters. Therefore, the aim of quantitative research is to examine the impact of fear on the willingness of citizens to respond to a natural disaster caused by the flood in the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind all local communities in Serbia where floods occurred or there is a high risk of flooding, there was selected a random sample consisting of 19 out of 150 municipalities and 23 towns and the city of Belgrade. In the selected communities, a research was undertaken in those areas that had been most affected in relation to the amount of water or potential risk of flooding. The survey used strategy of testing in households with the use of a multi- stage random sample. The research results indicate that the citizens who have a fear of floods are familiar with safety procedures to a greater extent in relation to citizens who do not have the fear; they have taken the preventive measures; they point out that they still are not ready to respond, but plan to do so in the next 6 months; they would evacuate to the upper floor of the house; they point out that someone in the family has educated them about the flood. In contrast to that, citizens who do not have the fear are not doing anything to prepare themselves to react in such situations, they are confident in their own abilities to cope with the consequences of floods, etc. The originality of the research lies in the fact that in Serbia there has never been conducted a research to examine the state of preparedness of citizens to respond. Bearing in mind that the research is based on the territory of Serbia, conclusions can be generalized to the entire population. The research results can be used when creating a strategy for improving the level of preparedness of citizens to respond.

Influence of income level on citizen preparedness for response to natural disasters

The aim of quantitative research is to examine the influence of income level on the citizen preparedness for response to a natural disaster caused by flood in the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind all local communities in Serbia where occurred or there is a high risk of flood occurrence, nineteen of 150 municipalities and 23 cities and the city of Belgrade were randomly chosen. In selected communities the research was performed in those areas that were most affected in relation to the water level or potential risk. The survey applied test strategy in households with the use of a multi-stage random sample. The research results indicated that the citizens who had income above RSD 90,000 at the household level, in a higher percentage took preventive measures, they know what floods are and know the safety procedures. On the other hand, citizens who have income below RSD 25,000 are not yet prepared, or intend to take certain measures in the next 6 months. The originality of the research stems from the fact of unexamined influence of income level on citizen preparedness. The research results can be used when creating strategies to improve the preparedness of citizens for response. The originality of the research is reflected in the fact that Serbia has not examined the influence of income level on preparedness of citizens to respond. The results can be used when creating a strategy to improve the level of citizen preparedness for response with regard to the level of citizen incomes.

The impact of the level of motivation on the preparedness of citizens of the Republic of Serbia to respond to natural disaster caused by flood

The objective of the quantitative research was to examine the impact of the level of motivation on the preparedness of citizens to respond to natural disaster caused by flood in the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind all local communities in Serbia affected, or with a high risk to be affected, by flood, twenty of a total of 150 municipalities and 23 cities, as well as the city of Belgrade, were randomly selected. In the selected local communities the research was conducted in those areas that were the most endangered regarding the water level or potential risk. The survey applied the strategy of multi-stage surveying of random sampled households. The research results indicate that those absolutely motivated recorded a higher level of individual readiness to respond to floods as compared to the citizens who believe they are absolutely unmotivated. In contrast, absolutely unmotivated people do nothing to prepare for response. The originality of the research lies in the fact that Serbia has never conducted any research to examine the citizens’ preparedness to respond. The research findings can be used when creating a strategy for improving the level of citizens’ preparedness to respond. The research points to the way that should be used to drive the citizens, according to their level of motivation, in order to raise their preparedness to a higher level.

The relationship between educational level and citizen preparedness to respond to natural disasters

This paper presents the results of quantitative research into the relationship between educational level and preparedness of citizens to respond to a natural disaster caused by the flood. Starting from the local communities in Serbia that are vulnerable to flooding, 19 of them were selected randomly out of 150 municipalities and 23 cities and the city of Belgrade. In survey research conducted in 2015, which included 2,500 respondents, a test strategy in households was applied with the use of a multi-stage random sample. The research results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between educational level and the following variables: preventive measures; financial funds; engaged in the field; engaged in a reception center; visiting flooded areas; heavy rains; river level rise; and the level of preparedness, supplies in the home; radio-transistor; flashlight; shovel; hack; apparatus for firefighting; supplies in the car; first aid kit in the home and so on. On the other hand, there is no relationship with variables: media reports, information in religious community, on television, education on radio, informal education system. The research results can be used to improve citizen preparedness to respond to disasters caused by flooding. The survey set out recommendations for increasing the level of preparedness to respond in such situations with regard to the educational level of citizens.

Influence of employment status on citizen preparedness for response to natural disasters

Consequences of floods that affected the territory of Serbia in 2014 indicated a very low level of preparedness of population to respond to natural disasters. Therefore, the aim of quantitative research is to examine the impact of fear on the willingness of citizens to respond to a natural disaster caused by the flood in the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind all local communities in Serbia where floods occurred or where there is a high risk of flooding, the sample was randomly selected consisting of 19 of 150 municipalities and 23 towns and the city of Belgrade. The survey used the strategy of testing in households with the use of a multi-stage random sample. The research results show that the citizens who are employed, in a higher percentage/to a greater extent compared to citizens who are not have taken certain preventive measures aimed at reducing the tangible consequences of floods, would pay funds to an account to help flood victims, would engage in providing help to flood victims in the field, heavy rains make them think of preparedness for response and water level rise, they engaged in preparations for at least 6 months, do not do anything that would raise the level of preparedness to the next level, etc. The originality of the research lies in the fact that in Serbia the research has never been conducted to examine the state of preparedness of citizens to respond. Bearing in mind that the research is based on the territory of Serbia, the conclusions can be generalized to the entire population. The research results can be used when creating a strategy for improving the level of preparedness of citizens to respond.

When material world speaks. Slovenian festive food and Slovenians in Serbia

This paper draws on material collected during this author’s fieldwork research in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Ruma in 2008, 2012 and 2015. Obtained by various research methods, particularly the narrative interview, observation methods, and the questionnaire, the data provides an insight into the Slovene immigrant community in Serbia and the importance of Slovene food elements for members of this community and for the community as a whole. Although primarily an element of the material world, food also plays an important role within the context of a different cultural or social milieu. Some elements of food culture, particularly certain dishes, spices, and food preparation techniques, are especially important in the creation and preservation of ethnic identity of immigrant communities and of individual identities of their members. Among the Slovenes living in Serbia, this prominent position is occupied primarily by Slovene festive dishes, which are prepared for all major family celebrations and events. Food and especially festive dishes not only symbolizes the social ties and the division but actively participates in their creation and rebirth. Having become a symbol of ethnic affiliation of Slovenes living outside Slovenia, such food serves to materialize their ethnic identity. Key words: Slovene immigrant, Serbia, food culture, festive dishes, celebrations, ethnic identity

"Social horror": A critical analysis of ideological and poetic function of the motive of victim in the contemporary Serbian film

This paper analyses achievements of Serbian cinematography after 2000, which narrative strategies and visual aesthetics are focused on the issues of violence and victims in the context of social despair, post-communist transition and ongoing global value crisis. Films made by Mladen Djordjevic Life and Death of a Porn Gang (2009), Srdjan Spasojevic A Serbian Movie (2010), and Marko Novakovic Menagerie (2012) integrate these complex characteristics of disintegration of Serbian community and dysfunctional state system into their cinematic poetics. These films present examples of radical film aesthetics, which, through strategies of making things unusual, and the influence of underground, pornography and horror on the realistic drama, speak about permanently traumatised Serbian society. They directly connect collective political state and the domain of personal, family, intimate and sexual, controversially relying on the images and narratives of gender misogyny and the violence it produces and its victims. The paper critically approaches these issues from the gender- feminist perspective.

Delicatese, politică şi design de vitrine în Timişoara interbelică: Francisc Branislav Mircsetics (1897–1983) / Dainties, Politics and Glass Case Design in Interwar Timişoara: Francisc Branislav Mircsetics (1897–1983)

In October 1982 the former tradesman and glass case decorator of Timişoara Francisc Branislav Mircsetics donated to Museum of Banat from Timişoara an interesting personal collection composed of eleven pieces of museum interest catalogued in the History collection and Medal collection of the institution. In the History Collection catalogue there were registered four diplomas and five photographies, while a medal and a photography were included in the Medal Collection catalogue. These pieces, published in detail in the present study, constituted the starting point of the documentation about F. B. Mircsetics. Mircsetics was born in Timişoara, on the 4th of October 1897, in a tradesmen family. He graduated Primary School in Hungarian and Serbian languages and then he graduated the three years Middle School and a one year Trade Course in Timişoara. In 1912 he left for Berlin where he attended and graduated in May 1913 the Glass case Decorator Course called “Das Schaufenster”. He worked as an apprentice and then as a tradesman assistant at famous colonial goods and dainties firms from Timişoara: „Iulius Galgon”, „Burghardt Zsuzsi” and „Babcsanyi Ferenc”. In 1929 he opened his own business with colonial goods and dainties inside Makri House from Timişoara (Cetate/Fortress), firm that worked for almost a decade. Complex and eccentric personality, Mircsetics remained in the memory of his contemporaries through the controversies related to his economic activity and his inter-war political activity. His socio-political activity was strongly connected to the life of the Serbian community from Timişoara, although Mircsetics barely expressed himself in Serbian language. At the beginning of the 30’s of the last century, F. B. Mircsetics was elected president of the Serbian Youth Society from Timişoara, and in the spring of 1934 was elected in the leading structures of the Regnicolar Party of the Serbian People from Romania.F. B. Mircsetics remained popular till nowadays especially through his participation at the glass case contests and exhibitions organized in inter-war Timişoara. In September 1923, the young tradesman assistant and decorator got the First Prize and the Honor Diploma at the glass case arranging contest organized within the Sample Fair of Banat from Timişoara. Two years later, in September 1925, under the aegis of Chamber of Commerce and Industry from Timişoara, Mircsetics taught a four month course for the young glass case decorators, at which participated 30 persons. The course was completed with a glass case exhibition held at the Military Casino from Timişoara. In May 1934, on the occasion of the contests organized within “Timişoara’s Week”, Mircsetics participated at two of the contests: the glass case and the glass case lighting contests. He got diplomas and prizes at both contests. The most important prize was the golden medal awarded at the glass case contest for the arrangement “The picnic of the dwarfs in the forest”. In the years that followed the Second World War, Mircsetics led a modest life, being marginalized by the communist authorities. He was not married and had no offspring. He resided with his sister in an apartment on Mărăşeşti Street in the quarter Cetate (Fortress) from Timişoara. He died in Timişoara on the 26th of December 1983, being buried in the cemetery from Lipovei Road.

Challenges for the Local Governance in the Republic of Kosovo

This paper will deal with the challenges of local government in Kosovo from the time of international administration of UNMIK (after the end of the war) up to the construction of democratic decentralized system of local government, difficulties of political changes and human and financial resources. After the war ended in 1999, Kosovo was placed under international administration. Kosovo was faced with multiple challenges such as poor economy, transformation of state planned economy to a market economy, the low economic development, political transformation from a socialist system to a democratic system and the transfer of power from the provision Institutions of UNMIK to the independent Kosovo institutions. The aim of this paper is to analyze and tackle challenges of local government such as the lack of legal regulations and approval for local government, the establishment of new municipalities, reform of the local governance, the establishment of the association of municipalities distinguishing association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo. What was the role of the international community in the establishment and organization of local governance? What challenges accompanied the process of local government? In Kosovo, the reform of local governance was a very sensitive, complicated and sometimes unstable process as a result of political development but that has proved to be successful. Challenge for Kosovo institutions was integration of the three northern municipalities with Serb community in local self-government system, although construction and development departments of local self-government system was based on the principles of European values for the local government. One of the main challenges for the future will be the foundation of the Association of Serbian majority municipalities in northern Kosovo who claim that this association have the powers of a legal entity, independent from Kosovo. The methodology of the research will be mixed like: descriptive method, research, explanatory methodology, predictive methodology. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3s1p661

A Sultan's Children: Bosnian Jews in Two Major Newspapers of the Bosnian Vilayet: Bosna and Sarajevski Cvjetnik

This paper deals with the references to the Jewish community, its members and interests in Bosnia in official vilayet newspapers during the late Ottoman times until the Austro-Hungarian occupation in 1878. Two kinds of references can be discerned: ones related to the Jewish community in Bosnia, and the other referring to the community in Serbia. In this context, numerous questions of integration, language, education and state patronization are treated.

Applying restorative approaches in intercultural settings in Serbia: Theoretical departures and methodological approach of the VDS’ action research in three multiethnic communities

During 2014 and 2015 within the EU funded FP7 research project ALTERNATIVE, the Victimology Society of Serbia implemented an action research with the aim to test the applicability of the ?Third way? model in multi-ethnic communities in Serbia, more directly affected by the wars in the former Yugoslavia, and to further up-grade it, both theoretically and practically. Additionally, the action research aimed at coming to the ideas about possible future steps, and developing a tool (practical guide/manual) for applying restorative approaches in intercultural settings in Serbia. The action research consisted of two parts: the participatory seminars titled From the conflict toward the peaceful life in the community, which were implemented in three multi-ethnic communities in Serbia (Medvedja, Prijepolje and Backa Palanka), and developing the Manual on best practices of applying restorative justice approaches in intercultural settings that should serve for raising awareness and education on restorative approaches in conflict transformation. The aim of the article is to present main theoretical departures and methodological approach of the action research, with a particular focus on the seminars, as well as main conclusions and lessons learned in regard applicability of restorative approaches in the multiethnic communities in Serbia.

Breaching of human rights in Kosovo and Metohija (1999-2014): A case study

The war between Yugoslavia and NATO, which lasted since 24. March until 10. June 1999, completed with Serbian forces withdrawal from Kosovo-Metohija. With the arrival of peacekeeping forces of KFOR and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) new resurrection of Serbian community in Kosovo-Metohija has begun. Thousands crimes have been committed against the members this community. Responsible for the crimes mostly remains unidentified and unpunished. KFOR, UNMIK, EULEX along with institutions of Kosovo deny and violate human rights of the Serbian community since 1999 until nowadays. Case of Bogdan Djokic reveals denial and violation of right to life, tenure right, right for fair trial and legal remedy.

Violations of human rights of victims and victims family members of Albanian terror in Kosovo-Metohija (1999-2014): Case study

The war between Yugoslavia and NATO, which lasted since 24. March until 10. June 1999, completed with Serbian forces withdrawal from Kosovo-Metohija. With the arrival of peacekeeping forces of KFOR and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) new resurrection of Serbian community in Kosovo-Metohija has begun. Thousands crimes have been committed against the members the community. Responsible for the crimes mostly remains unidentified and unpunished. KFOR, UNMIK, EULEX along with institutions of Kosovo deny and violate human rights of the Serbian community since 1999 until nowadays. Case of Bogdan Djokic shows denial and violation of right to life, tenure right, right for fair trial and legal remedy.

On some theoretical and methodological issues in researching the Roma population in sociology and ethnology/socio-cultural anthropology. The example of an ongoing research project in Serbia

The paper considers theoretical and methodological problems noted during the research project “Social and cultural potentials of the Roma ethnic community in Serbia” undertaken during 2013 and 2014. These problems point to an extant yet latent tension between the anthropological and the sociological approaches to the researched reality, with special emphasis on the antirealist tradition of the former and the empiricist “realist” tradition of the latter in the Serbian academic tradition of these disciplines. The paper considers how standard issues connected to methodological aspects of this primarily sociological research project (choice of topic, creation of sample, the making of field instruments, selection of informants, communication in the field, use of field assistants, data analysis and the making of the manuscript) diffract through the prism of theoretically disputable concepts of identity, ethnicity, assimilation and essentialization, which are subject to continuing questioning in anthropological theoretical and empirical research. The experience of conducting research together displays a set of methodological defaults on the anthropological and a set of theoretical defaults on the sociological side, followed by research renunciations and interpretative tensions and frustrations that arise from them, so it can be used as a guide to understanding disciplinary differences and similarities, especially when planning cooperation on a global level as well as in the local research context. Aside from this, the indivisibility of theoretical and methodological structures and the huge influence of theory on method, as demonstrated by the research itself, is considered, with implications for understanding theoretical and methodological issues which are bigger than the two disciplines in question. It is concluded that, for pragmatic reasons, multidisciplinary research of this type must be designed to suppress the theoretical ambitions of anthropology as well as the methodological ambitions of sociology.

Increasing Human Security As an Instrument of Conflict Resolution: The Case of the Serbian Community in Kosovo

Despite the positive provisions granted to Kosovo’s Serbs by the state of Kosovo, low-scale ethnic violence against Serbs living in the south of Kosovo has continued since Kosovo declared its independence. It is being argued here that despite the growing optimism of the international community, security still seems to be an issue for Kosovo’s Serbs. Notwithstanding the undeniable progress in this area, it was concluded here that threat perceptions of Serbs are grounded in reality, as data provided by UNMIK and reports of EULEX indicate. Therefore, the aspiration of this study is to explore the main problems of the Serbian community in the south, as they arise at the local level. The aim here is to shed some light on issues on the ground, which cause tensions between Serbs and Albanians and make coexistence across ethnic lines difficult on a daily basis. Individual security, socio-economic issues, property issues and problems of return were singled out as the most relevant dimensions of human security, which will be discussed to greater detail. Special attention will be devoted to challenges related to personal safety, being one of the most often voiced concerns, which at the same time appears to be a quite controversial subject.

The Serbian community of the Kosovo Morava region in a kaleidoscope of folklore fieldwork research

The present paper briefly reviews field research to date in the Morava region of Kosovo, mainly centering on folklore studies but including studies in the kindred sciences of ethnology and anthropology. It focuses on research carried out in the Serbian community, as this is at the centre of interest of Serbian folklore studies, ethnology and anthropology. The Kosovo Morava region, however, is a multiethnic area with hybrid cultural practices. Research, therefore, whether in the field or based on material obtained on the ground, implies careful contextualization. The author first refers to work of Jastrebov, and to articles published in the journal Carigradski glasnik (1895-1905), going on to discuss the results of 20th century field research by Ljubica and Danica Jankovic, Miodrag Vasiljevic, Tatomir Vukanovic, Vladimir Cvetanovic, Momcilo Zlatanovic, students from University of Pristina (Vladimir Bovan, ed.), with local enthusiasts Stanislav Kojic and Ratko Stoiljkovic. The Serbian community of the Morava Region of Kosovo was the focus of a ethnolinguistic project Studies of Slavic Speeches in Kosovo and Metohija, by the Institute for Serbian Language of SASA, and supported by UNESCO (2002- 2003). The project collected a significant body of folklore material, but the relevant papers addressed this mainly from the linguistic perspective. Sanja Zlatanovic, author of the present paper, carried out extensive ethnographic research into the Serbian community of the Kosovo Morava region, obtaining narratives with the marks of folklore. Those about events linked to the war and its aftermath are of particular interest, situated as they are at the point where the fields of anthropology and folklore cross.