Full Description
Balkan Vampires examines how vampire motifs from Balkan folklore have permeated modern sociocultural and political realms, exploring their role in rural traditions and transformation under global influences. The book builds on extensive fieldwork conducted in village communities across Serbia, the cradle of vampire lore, where the author has been able to record numerous stories, memories, and testimonies of residents. The research reveals the vampire not merely as a mythical figure but as a potent symbol in cultural and political discourse. The chapters demonstrate that vampire narratives are not just remnants of traditional rural beliefs but are actively engaged in shaping contemporary cultural and social identities. The author analyses the persistence and adaptability of vampire motifs, demonstrating their relevance in expressing community fears, challenging societal norms, and navigating the tensions between local traditions and global influences. Drawing on a wealth of ethnographic material, the book will be of interest to scholars of anthropology, cultural studies, folklore, demonology, history and beyond.
Contents
Preface Foreword by Slobodan Naumović 1. Shadows and Meanings: The Methodological and Theoretical Approach 2. Past and Current Research on Vampires in Serbia: An Overview 3. The Many Faces of the Village Vampire: Tracing Cultural Continuity 4. Metamorphoses of the Vampire in the Context of the Serbian Village 5. The Vampire Between Two Worldviews 6. The Vampire Between Power and Pop: A Symbolic Trajectory 7. Brand or Burden: Intimate Belief or Public Commodity? 8. Worlds in Dissonance: Folklore, Belief, and the Question of Reality 9. From Oblivion to Eternity - Concluding Remarks Index
