National Identity Research Articles

Embracing heritage: Baghdadi Shahsavans’ strategies to preserve their cultural identity in Qom

ABSTRACT This study seeks to determine to what extent the Baghdadi Shahsavans have been successful in maintaining their tribal identity after years of living in Qom and what strategies have they employed for this? The method used in this research for data collection and analysis is the Grounded Theory. The findings show that the majority of Baghdadi Shahsavans have a much greater sense of belonging to tribal identity compared to urban identity. Even their interest in Qom arises through tribal affiliation, which is strengthened through intra-group relations. The findings show that the preservation of tribal identity has been possible because of three strategies: (1) the demarcation of identity, which results from cultural pride and attributing positive features to own tribe, (2) the preservation of cultural identity, which includes the preservation of customs and traditions, adherence to intra-group visits, cherishing tribal music, and speaking in Shahsavani, and (3) insisting on the tribal identity in response to threatening dangers. This study shows that Baghdadi Shahsavans prioritize their Iranian national identity over urban identity indicating that both tribal and national identities hold more significance for them compared to urban identity. This study also examined the lifestyle of Baghdadi Shahsavans after making settlements in Qom. The findings show that their settlement in the city provided them with a new tribal identity in accordance with their new urban environment.

‘The Book of My Mother’ as national allegory: subaltern nationalism and political unconscious in early twentieth century Azerbaijani fiction

ABSTRACT This paper analyses Jalil Mammadquluzadeh’s drama, The Book of My Mother (Anamın Kitabı), to understand Azerbaijani nationalism in the early twentieth century. Under the repression of industrialization and colonialism, Azerbaijani national identity found its expression in literary products. Through Fredric Jameson’s concepts of national allegory and political unconscious, we examine The Book of My Mother as a fictional representation of Azerbaijani nationalism during its formative period. Ultimately, this article addresses a gap in the growing literature on Azerbaijani nationalism by applying Jamesonian critical literary theory to encourage further research in subaltern nationalism for other cases, especially within the Central Asian context.

Forming national identity with televised cultural rituals: a critical discourse analysis of China’s Ancient Rhyme and New Voice—Qingming program

Studies on media and national identity emphasize the need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to understanding the complex relationship between media and identity. This study used critical discourse analysis to examine the depiction of cultural rituals in the Ancient Rhyme and New Voice—Qingming program and its role in forming and reinforcing national identity in China. The program, broadcast on China Central Television, showcases three traditional Chinese cultural rituals: ancestor worship, agricultural rites, and spring outings. The analysis showed that the program aroused shared emotions, beliefs, and values among Chinese audiences, enhancing cohesion and cultural identification, and advancing the construction of Chinese national identity. The study highlights the importance of such cultural programs in promoting cultural identification and underscores the significant role of televised cultural rituals in shaping and reinforcing national identity in an increasingly globalized world.

Ukrainian Popular Music in Times of War: National Identity, Transnational Projections and the Musician as Grassroots Ambassador

This article investigates the ways in which Ukrainian independent popular music after February 2022 has contributed to domestic nation-building and international nation-branding. Taking as case studies six artists who have extensively toured abroad with their musical projects, the article traces the evolution of the internal imaginings and external projections of Ukrainian identity enabled via musical activity. The article shows that the war has generated a reconfiguration of the relationship between the artist and their social responsibility, in which music has become a fundamental weapon to raise transnational awareness of the Ukrainian struggle and to materially influence Ukraine’s defence. This reconfiguration has prompted the performers to take the role of grassroots cultural ambassadors and create DIY networks of solidarity, largely outside of state initiatives. In this process, ideas about Ukraine did not adhere to a standardized framework for the purpose of articulating unity, but rather reflected Ukraine’s unity in cultural diversity.

Negotiating national identity against right-wing nationalism: sonic (re)narrations in Poland

This article discusses a set of approaches to national identity that subverted dominant nationalist discourse in Poland during the rule of Law and Justice (2015–2023). Based on a sonic, lyrical, and visual analysis of three popular music case studies, it explores how the populist-enabled mainstreaming of “turbopatriotism” (Napiórkowski 2019) has been criticized and what alternative visions of Polishness have been put forward. I argue that cultural narrations of Polishness as [1] plural, diverse, and cosmopolitan, [2] peripheral, flawed, and complicated, and [3] bygone and mourned, all have unique affective strengths for the continued negotiations of collectivity in post-communist and populist contexts.

Gender Incongruence in Danish Youth (GenDa): A Protocol for a Retrospective Cohort Study of Danish Children and Adolescents Referred to a National Gender Identity Service

Background/Objectives In recent years, the national Gender Identity Service for individuals under 18 years of age in Denmark has seen a considerable increase in referrals of youngsters during puberty. Given this development, it is important to deepen our understanding of the characteristics of contemporary youngsters seeking help for gender incongruence. This understanding can serve as the foundation for improving current treatment regimens by ensuring optimal individual assessment and care. In this study, we aim to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, health profiles, and treatment trajectories in detail, as well as any changes in these characteristics, of all transgender and gender-diverse youngsters referred to the Gender Identity Service in Denmark from 2016 through 2022. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of a national cohort comprising all individuals under 18 years of age referred to the Danish Gender Identity Service from 1 January 2016 to 1 January 2023. We will use data from medical records obtained at routine visits from the first assessment through repeated visits. Data on demographics, physical and mental health profiles, and information regarding gender identity will be collected and analyzed. The characteristics of those individuals who progressed to hormone therapy will be compared to those who did not. Results: This study aims to enhance our understanding of the characteristics and needs of contemporary youngsters with gender identity issues. Conclusions: The scientific evidence for the assessment and treatment of gender incongruence in youngsters is limited. The characteristics of youngsters seeking healthcare for gender incongruence today may differ from earlier.

Decolonising Plant-Based Cultural Legacies in the Cultural Policies of the Global South

Abstract The promotion and preservation of cultural legacies, including botanical traditions, are integral components of national identity and development strategies in many countries, particularly in the Global South. However, the manner in which cultural policies address plant-based heritage is not only influenced by contemporary priorities but also deeply rooted in historical contexts, shaped by colonial legacies. A comparative reading of the cultural policies of India and Nigeria, this research investigates the impact of colonial history on plant-based cultural heritage policies in the Global South. The study pulls from the Postcolonial and Critical Heritage Studies frameworks, to argue that the formulation and implementation of cultural policies on botanical plant heritage have been greatly impacted by colonial legacies. The result is the disparities in conservation endeavours and relegation of autochthonous knowledge. By shedding light on the on-going effects of colonialism on cultural practices and environmental conservation in the Global South, this research offers insights for policymakers, culture and heritage practitioners, and scholars seeking to address the issues around colonial legacies in cultural heritage management. It also seeks to provoke discourses on equitable and sustainable approaches to plant-based heritage preservation.

TEACHING POLYPHONIC TECHNIQUES TO CHINESE STUDENTS USING PIANO ENSEMBLES OF CHINESE COMPOSERS

Chinese piano music is a unique phenomenon. Developing under the influence of Western European culture, it has not lost its uniqueness and national identity. Polyphony as a structure of multi-voice music is not characteristic of Chinese piano music, however, elements of polyphonic artistic expressiveness are present in composers’ works quite often. Their use is connected with the solution of a specific artistic problem in each individual work, form- building, as well as with the effective emphasis on the features of intonation, rhythm, and national colour of Chinese music. In musicology, the concept of “Chinese style” appeared, which synthesised the components of national, regional, genre style and even the style of an era into one musical system. The “Chinese style” has become a label for the national cultural identity of Chinese piano music in the world music art. Piano ensemble is a genre that occupies a significant place in the work of Chinese composers. It reflected the traditions and innovations of the “Chinese style”, including in the aspect of the use of polyphonic techniques.

Reshaping the Baltic Identity: Russian Soft Power and the Security Strategies of Latvia and Estonia

Purpose: This research paper delves into the crucial influence of Russian soft power policies on Latvia and Estonia's national identities and security strategies, with a particular focus on their Russian-speaking populations. Methodology: Utilizing a constructivist approach, the study conducts a comparative discourse analysis of security strategies and identity dynamics in the Baltic States before and after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022. Main Findings: The analysis reveals how Latvia and Estonia construct their national identities in opposition to Russia, framing it as a negative Other while viewing the EU as a positive reference point. This dynamic significantly shapes their security policies. Implications: The findings of this research underscore the pivotal role of national identities in shaping security strategies. They also provide valuable insights into the broader implications for European integration in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions. Novelty: This research offers a unique perspective on the interaction between Russian-speaking minorities and national identity formation in Latvia and Estonia. It contributes to a deeper understanding of security in the context of soft power dynamics, providing a nuanced view that is distinct from existing literature.

Female, Deserving, and European? The Changing EUropean Migration Discourse in the Face of the Russia–Ukraine War

AbstractThe initial response of the European Union (EU) to people fleeing Ukraine was unusually univocal and welcoming, culminating in the swift activation of the Temporary Protection Directive. This predominantly humanitarian response represents a special case and an outlier in terms of how the EU and its member states have responded to previous displacements. This paper explores the discursive construction that made this response possible, by looking at how forced migration from Ukraine has been characterised in the EUropean political discourses. Drawing on discourse theory and critical migration studies, we assume that the discourse is marked by differences drawn along the lines of “race,” “gender,” and “distance,” which are linked to ideas about national identity and European values. In order to reflect the multilevel European discourse, we reconstruct the political discourse on the EU level as well as in two diverse cases, Poland and Germany. Our findings suggest that despite national differences and the presence of well-established tropes of deservingness, the EUropean discourse is not only based on ideas surrounding vulnerability of the Ukrainian Other and the European Self but is also influenced by the perception of the threatening Russian Other. Especially in Poland, welcoming refugees from Ukraine is linked to security concerns, while the EU and German discourses stress the role of European values and solidarity. Thus, the acceptance of Ukrainian refugees should be seen as part of the overall European response to Russian aggression and not as a departure from its previous stance on migration.

PRECEDENT NAMES AS TRANSMITTERS OF HISTORICAL AND COLLECTIVE MEMORY IN THE POEM “THE TIME IN BURSA” BY A. H. TANPINAR

This article explores the use of precedent names as carriers of historical and collective memory in A. H. Tanpınar's poem “The Time in Bursa.” Precedent names, being culturally significant proper nouns, evoke historical, cultural, and social connotations that resonate deeply within a collective consciousness. The study analyzes how these names serve as linguistic bridges between past and present, shaping a shared understanding of national identity and heritage in Tanpınar’s poetry. The analysis focuses on the poem's ability to transmit cultural memory through names associated with key historical events, figures, and places, thus linking personal memory with collective historical narratives. By exploring the poetic function of these precedent names, the article highlights Tanpınar’s contribution to preserving and enriching the cultural identity of Turkish society. Employing methods such as textual, intertextual, and historical-linguistic analysis, the research uncovers how Tanpınar’s use of precedent names fosters a dialogue between individual and national history, allowing readers to engage with the collective memory of their community. The study positions precedent names not merely as literary devices, but as pivotal elements in understanding the dynamics of memory and identity in Turkish poetry. This research aims to broaden the understanding of how names rooted in cultural and historical significance can function as powerful transmitters of collective memory, contributing to the formation of a cohesive national identity in literary texts.

Changing Nationalist Styles in Galicia: The Politics of Dual Identity

Abstract In the Spanish region of Galicia, immediately north of Portugal, the Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG) has achieved unprecedented electoral success, emerging as a prominent nationalist force within the Spanish political landscape. This study analyzes the discursive and performative repertoires employed by Galician nationalism and explores how the prevalent dual national identity in the region shapes these strategies. Reversing Brubaker’s theoretical framework and using framing and visual analysis, we compare the BNG’s strategies during two different institutional settings: its time in government (2005–2009) and its role leading the opposition (2020–2023). The findings reveal the failure of Galician nationalism to nationalize identity when in power, as policies aimed at promoting Galician identity generated a backlash and, ultimately, produced frame dealignment between the nationalists and the Galician people. The new BNG presents a social project based on the defense of Galician interests and the moderation of the nationalist discourse. It successfully accomplishes frame alignment by adapting to the non-conflictive, dual national identity shared by most Galicians while proposing an inclusive political style.

The reflection of generation Z of leisure practices in Chinese audiovisual media: An analysis based on the YouTube platform

This study explores the reflection of Generation Z leisure culture in Chinese audiovisual media, with a focus on the YouTube platform. As China’s Generation Z becomes a key demographic in shaping digital and media consumption patterns, their leisure practices reflect a unique fusion of local and global influences. Through an analysis of content on YouTube, this research examines how audiovisual media portrays the leisure activities of Chinese Generation Z, including entertainment, social interaction, and self-expression. By investigating the cultural narratives and visual strategies used to engage this generation, the study reveals how YouTube serves as a platform for identity formation, a strong sense of national identity, and pride in Chinese traditional culture among Chinese Gen Z audiences. The findings contribute to understanding the broader impact of digital platforms on leisure habits and media discourse in contemporary China, highlighting the transformative role of audiovisual media in shaping youth culture. It also plays a significant cultural education function, enhancing the positive perception of Chinese culture on the international stage and elevating China's image.

National Identities, Migration Histories and Attitudes to Independence in Scotland

This article uses data from the 2021 Scottish Election Study to apply both established and relatively rare or unique approaches to understanding the interrelationships between personal national identities, attitudes regarding the (Scottish) nation and independence, and people's own/family migration histories. Analysis broadly substantiates previous research in Scotland on the effects of birthplace, parentage and length of residence on national identities, and similarly highlights that previously established ‘non-alignment’ between national identities and position on Scottish independence extends to how the latter is associated with personal and family migration histories. The paper also makes at least three distinctive contributions. First, it highlights the significance of socialisation in Scotland, particularly in early childhood, for migrants’ personal national identities and attitudes to Scottish nationhood and independence. Second, it suggests only limited variation in the degree to which personal biographical characteristics are associated with perceptions that Scotland has distinct values compared to other parts of the UK. Third, it demonstrates that social connections to England via birthplace, family and/or prior residence do not invariably affect national identities and attitudes to Scottish independence, but that those with the strongest associations to England are substantially less likely to prioritise a Scottish identity or support Scottish independence.

“I Am at Home, I Am French”—Notions of Be/Longing in Afro-French Rapper Black M’s Music

ABSTRACT Black M, a French hip-hop artist of Guinean origin, delves into race and belonging in his 2016 song “Je suis chez moi” (“I Am at Home”). The track responds to a far-right campaign that opposed his participation in the centenary celebration of the Battle of Verdun, claiming he didn’t represent France. The song contrasts his sense of belonging in France with a longing for Guinea, reflecting the complexities of his immigrant identity. This article analyzes how Black M’s music navigates themes of race, belonging, and national identity, using hip-hop as a tool for these articulations.

The redefinition of a Chinese sports hero’s public image: evidence from the reactions on Chinese social media to Sun Yang’s international trial

This study traces the metamorphosis of Chinese Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang’s public image from a national sports hero to an ordinary individual on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. To explore the interplay between national identity construction and mediated discursive (de-)heroization of athletes, we employ discourse theories and a self-constructed corpus to analyze popular Weibo posts and follow-up comments during and after Sun Yang’s controversial international doping trial. The findings demonstrate the influential role of Chinese state-run media in shaping online public opinion, contrasting with Sun Yang’s less strategic self-presentation. Weibo discussions feature conflicting discourses, including xenophobic nationalism, anti-authority sentiments, and cosmopolitan liberal values. Initially prevalent nationalistic views diminish following criticism from a state newspaper, which emphasizes adherence to international rules. This case illustrates the challenge for elite athletes in balancing a patriotic image with a cosmopolitan identity as China seeks to increase global influence and support.

Article: A Hamiltonian Moment for EU Taxation?

This contribution explores the possibility of a ‘Hamiltonian moment’ in the European Union (EU) public finances, drawing a parallel with the historical experience of the United States (US) in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It examines the different theoretical positions on the existence and scope of the EU’s authority to tax, as well as the legal and political challenges that such an authority would entail. It argues that the EU does have the power to levy taxes for funding its budget, based on Article 311 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), but that this power is constrained by the principles stemming from the common constitutional traditions, the respect for national identities, and the need for democratic legitimation. It suggests that a ‘Hamiltonian moment’ in the EU would require a qualitative change in the structure and size of the EU budget, as well as a stronger involvement of the European Parliament and the national parliaments in the decision-making process on the system of own resources.

The Politics of Memory and Its Limits in Conflict with Oral Tradition: The Interwar Period in the Imagination of the West Belarusian Population

Abstract Often overlooked on the world stage, the Republic of Belarus harbours a complex historical narrative interwoven with its national identity and political landscape. While the country is known for widely representing the cult of the Great Patriotic War and its importance to the local historical imagination, this article focuses on a less explored era: the interwar period. The study examines the coexistence of state-sponsored historical narratives and local oral traditions in attempts to shed light on the complicated relationship between personal memories and official discourses. By applying a multidisciplinary approach that includes anthropology, history and political science, this study sheds light on the dynamics that shape Belarusian historical consciousness. The research focuses on how the state narrative intersects with and excludes personal memories from the broader discourse in order to illuminate the limits of state authority in shaping collective memory.

To What Extent Were There Attempts to Securitise the Malaysian Chicken Export Ban In Singapore? A Comparative Analysis of Frames Between Government and News Media

This article focuses on exploring the securitisation of the Malaysian chicken export ban that took effect on 1 June 2022. The effects of the chicken export ban seemingly went beyond the economics of food, and expanded into the realm of national identity, as the de facto national dish of Singapore got compromised. As food and national identity is intricately linked to societal security and a key part of securitisation theory, this research paper seeks to explore the extent to which the chicken export ban was securitised. Through the use of a frame analysis, three different categories of news media were analysed: governmental media, local news media and foreign news media. The analysis showed that the foreign news media had attempted securitisation, but the local news media and governmental media refrained from securitisation, and rather engaged in a prognostic framing to reframe the chicken export ban into a proactive management of the situation which desecuritised the ban.

Gastronationalism in Cornwall

Discussions of gastronationalism have largely focused on nationalist politics at the state level, especially in the realm of European integration and Americanisation. This paper, therefore, explores how gastronationalism is manifested at the subnational level by asking the question ‘What role does food play in the construction of Cornish national identity vis-à-vis England?’ This paper first reviews the literature around gastronationalism to explore how the concept has developed. It shall raise the example of Cornwall as having much in common with previous case studies of gastronationalism in how heritage foods are protected in a politics concerned with homogenisation. A contrast will then be drawn between the generally discussed contexts, with the strong economic incentives to develop an inclusive food culture as part of a national brand that appeals to tourists in Cornwall, which also contributes to the ‘lived brand’ of Cornwall. To investigate this question, a thematic and qualitative content analysis of local tourist boards’ promotional content is conducted in comparison to other English counties. Finally, it shall conclude that gastronationalism is conceptually relevant to the Cornish context, but the specific nature of cultural revivalism suggests the concept should be expanded to better account for subnational gastronationalist efforts.