Traditional music and dance have been used intentionally to express and establish identities based on national, regional and/or ethnic affiliation. Specific musical and dance forms are connected to particular identities, and these connections can change over time and in different contexts. This also makes music and dance political, as they are used as symbols and manipulated to serve the goals of different groups. During the 20th century, the notion of “heritage” emerged as an important and protected aspect of culture and identity. Heritage is born at the crossroads of spontaneous creativity and institutionalized organization of culture. Since 2022, Ukraine has been embroiled in the largest armed conflict since World War II, with implications for the whole Central Eastern Europe. The special issue will explore contemporary uses of references to traditional music and dance heritage in Slavic-speaking countries, in both peacetime and wartime contexts.
Deadline: 30.10.2025
Deadline: 30.10.2025