Collective Memory of Changing Identities: An Exploration of Memories and Identities Related to the Disintegration of Yugoslavia

Abstract

Through the analysis of memories of major events related to the disintegration of Yugoslavia the differences in collective memories and social representations of various generations of Slovenians and other former Yugoslav peoples resident in Slovenia are explored. Qualitative analysis of eighteen semi-structured interviews illustrates contested interpretations or narratives of the break up, memories and representations of Tito’s Yugoslavia, and the changes in social (ethnic) identification.

Keywords

• social/collective memory
• identity
• social representations
• narratives
• disintegration of former yugoslavia