| Publication |
2010.
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| Summary/Abstract |
In a study of historical myths in South Eastern Europe in 2005 I identified four different types of mythologies, one of which was the myth of martyrdom (Kolsto 2005). I pointed out that while nations most of the time celebrate their victories and moments of glory, occasionally their great tragedies and defeats are also embellished into mythical stories and made into objects of collective commemoration. As a prime example of mythologised defeats in the history of the Balkan peoples I-like many other authors-singled out the battle of Kosovo in 1389, an event which in contemporary Serbian consciousness has come to be regarded as the moment when the Serb nation chose righteousness and truth over earthly power (Vuchinich & Emmert 1991; Anzulovic 1999, pp. 11-22; Judah 2000).
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