The Post-Socialist Reshaping of Urban Identity: Insights from Novi Sad,Serbia

Abstract

Numerous studies have explored the redefinition of urban identities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) after the collapse of socialism. However, little research has focused on cities in Western Balkan countries outside the European Union, particularly Serbia, which had a distinct socialist past and experienced a tumultuous and protracted post-socialist transition. The article addresses this gap by examining the case of Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, which held the European Capital of Culture title in 2022. While its identity reshaping aligned with the broader CEE trend of employing Golden Age narratives and national and European discourses, the process unfolded in three distinct phases, framed by the political orientation and ideologies of different national governments. The article investigates the motivations driving each phase, traces shifts in the Golden Ages, and identifies the dominant discourses in each period. The research highlights the distinctive nuances of Novi Sad’s identity reshaping, providing deeper insights into the complexities of such processes, and contributing to a broader understanding of their dynamics in diverse post-socialist contexts.