SERBIA IN THE EUROPEAN CULTURE ROUTES

Text topic: Studies

Text author: Љиљана Рогач

The article consists of two parts. The first section discusses the elements of contextualization of the European cultural routes – the process of European identity and interpretation of European values and heritage, especially the relation between culture and politics of memory, as well as the mediation of history through heritage. The article further analyzes the historical conditions for the formation of cultural patterns in the area of present-day Serbia, within the circle of civilization, marked with contradictions along the East – West lines. It also underlines the ambivalence of value orientation of Serbia and the valorization of imperial heritage of this territory as a point of definition towards the modern European trends, particularly in the Balkans discourse.The second section provides an overview of the „European cultural routes“ and maps of alternative thematic framework for the participation of Serbia in the Council of Europe program, which will take into account the principles of cultural diversity and encompass a broader understanding of cultural heritage, as a way to establish a better understanding of the past and shared future.