Contesting Symbols in East and Southeast Europe

Katarina Damčević (Regensburg)

Beginning:

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 14:00

End:

18:00

Abstract:
This workshop offers an introductory exploration of the dynamics of contested symbols, with a focus on theirpolitical, cultural, and digital contestations in East and Southeast Europe. It will examine the diverse roles andfunctions of contested symbols based on case studies from post-conflict contexts—such as the Za dom spremni salute in Croatia—and ongoing conflicts, including Russia’s war symbol “Z”. As powerful carriers of collectivememory and identity, symbols – such as monuments, salutes, or images – frequently become sites of dispute,contributing to mythmaking and shifting in meaning across different temporal, geographical, and ideologicalcontexts. Through the analysis of cases from the region, participants will engage with different approaches tosymbolic contestation and the ways symbols are reimagined, (mis)used, or subverted in ways that challenge theirpresumed meanings or origins. An interactive group session will allow participants to analyze real-worldexamples of contested symbols, either pre-selected by the instructor or brought in by students.

Katarina Damčević:
She specializes in the semiotics of hate speech and controversial symbols in (post)conflict societies. In spring 2024 she began working as a researcher and academic coordinator in the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS) as a member of the KonKoop Research Network. She teaches at the University of Rijeka and the University of Tartu and is a member of the editorial team of the Journal Southeastern Europe (Brill).