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This chapter first examines the history and role of the Bulgarian flag in the constitution of Bulgarian national identity, a process which began in the second half of the nineteenth century. It then proposes a semiotic model of the identity, one that centers its constructed character and flexibility while performing social interactions. A basic divide between the communicative resources of the self places a person’s individual characteristics in opposition to collective ones. The national flag and colors are interpreted among the expressive forms of the collective identity, in the subcategory of constitutive features for which an individual has no choice. An interpretation of the value flows for identity in social intercourse follows, modeled as an “ego economy” where the reception and production of recognition from and for others is seen as an “ego currency”. This model demonstrates that the particular efficacy of national symbols is amplified by the efficacy of the “nationalist libido”. The use of the nationalist flags, colors, symbols, and narrative in new media thus prepare a fertile ground for the emerging digital populism, one that is masterfully employed by right-wing figures with significant political results and disquieting prospects for the future.
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This chapter looks at the role of flags as national symbols in Hungary. It does so through three case studies. The first flag discussed is the current national colours (red, white and green). It is followed by the so-called ‘Árpád stripes’ (red and white), the colours attributed to the first royal dynasty of Hungary. Finally, the flag of Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is examined from a historical perspective, with special focus on its relationship with the national colours.
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Identity and the protection of identity due to the historical turmoil experienced by the nation of Poland has always played an important role in the public and private lives of its citizens. During the course of history Poland also served as an exile and home for many minorities, both religious and ethnic. The country, which is located between the two powerful nations of Germany and Russia, has always been forced to fight for independence and its national identity. In the course of history the country disappeared from the maps of Europe for about 123 years as a result of the partition of its territories between Prussia, Austria and Russia. The invading countries occupying the annexed territory forbade the usage of the Polish language in numerous areas of life. The practising of Polish customs and traditions was also limited. Poland regained independence after numerous attempts in 1918, only to lose it again in 1939 and finally to have it re-established in 1945. But the period from 1918 until 1939 was marked with numerous activities aiming at the restoration of national identity. The main aim of this presentation is to provide some insight into the importance of national identity as well as the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of Poland as a historically conditioned phenomenon. The language protection policy will also be examined.
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The symbolic functioning of flags is related to many large topics in philosophy and in social sciences. My interest here is in the dialectics of how flags mean. Flags are polysemic and ambiguous, a kind of symbolic nodes grouping several layers of signification. Flags are not images, though, but objects made to be used not contemplated. Once raised, flags may talk. But what they say when talking depends upon the modes of use in communal practices. When used, flags contribute to the staging of an event. They are performative utterances in a specific situation. The paper begins with a short review of modern discourses on the nexus between light, colour, and emotion as unreflective forms of perceiving the world. Drawing upon studies on the contemporary production and reproduction of ways of seeing the chapter then explores in greater detail specific aspects of the dialectics of sense-making through flags. Aside from symbolising as well as iconic and spectacular modes of use banal forms of performance are taken into account. Once there, flags are signs of their own context. What they promote, the paper suggests, is not unity but configurations of common differences. Finally, the article addresses the role of flags for the assemblage of cultural identities of populations connected by digital media and the formation of society in the age of globalisation.
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As we advance into the twenty-first century, more and more of what has once been crucial to the functioning of a society, slides into oblivion. However, certain agents of the past, carriers of social memory, prevail. One such an agent is the flag. More than just a mere symbol, the flag bears an opulent amount of meaning, sometimes accumulated over the centuries, at other times acquired overnight, evoking either love and pride, fear and contempt, or just indifference. The purpose of this paper is to analyse flags as carriers of collective memories and of local and national identity, and to compare various legal provisions controlling and protecting them. In the first part of the paper, the author introduces the concept of collective memory, showing how flags—carriers of memory—are connected to it. The second part of the paper is devoted to the questions of identity and national identity, and the ways they intersect with collective memories and, ultimately, flags. In the third, main part of the paper, the author ventures to examine the role of flags in the contemporary society. Applying the findings of the previous two chapters to a number of mini-case studies (Poland, Brazil, Australia, Greece, USA, various former USSR territories, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Cyprus and Canada), the author shows how different societies hold different attitudes towards flags and how, even in a digital society we currently live in, such a material thing as a flag is vital for the creation of a group’s identity, and can still evoke deep and often completely conflicting feelings, even leading to conflict.
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Between 2000 and 2026
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Between 2020 and 2026
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- 2021 (5)
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Between 2020 and 2026
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- flags and identity
- ‘Árpád stripes’ (1)
- Bulgaria (1)
- Bulgarian flag (1)
- collective memory (1)
- cultural identities (3)
- ethnic groups (1)
- flag display (2)
- flags and meaning (3)
- flags and politics (1)
- flags and the law (1)
- flags as communication (1)
- group identity (1)
- history of flags (1)
- Hungarian flags (1)
- Hungary (1)
- minority groups (1)
- national colors (3)
- national colours (3)
- national flags (1)
- national identity (4)
- national symbols (2)
- Poland (1)
- Polish identity (1)
- polysemic symbols (1)
- populism (1)
- recognition (1)
- semiotics of flags (1)
- signs (1)
- symbolism (1)