La musica come canale di mobilitazione popolare: il caso della ex-Jugoslavia

Music as a channel of mass mobilization: the case of former Yugoslavia. Music as a tool of mass mobilization finds a significant expression in the Balkan scene of the 1990s. The first musical genre analysed in this contribution is turbofolk, which saw its greatest development in Serbia during that decade. The initial focus will therefore be on the Serbian context, which will then be extended, from a comparative perspective, to other countries of the former Yugoslavia, namely Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subsequently, attention will be given to the counter current represented by rock and pop-rock as a voice of resistance. In conclusion, a reflection will be offered on the legacy these musical productions have left to new generations. Given the complexity of the phenomenon, this contribution aims to provide a general overview of the Balkan music scene, focusing on major trends, recurring themes, and dominant tendencies. It is important to stress that any rigid classification of musical genres is problematic, as stylistic crossovers are a structural and vital component of the Balkan musical landscape, and one of its main sources of richness, dynamism, and originality.