Predodžbe Skandinavije u suvremenom hrvatskom i postjugoslovenskom medijskom i književnom diskursu

The aim of this paper is to examine primarily Croatian, but also Bosnian and Serbian media and literary discourse on representations of Scandinavia as a constructed sociocultural space. Analysis of media discourse was conducted by examining journalistic texts published on various web portals over the past few years. The majority of these representations are very positive, constructing Scandinavia as a social utopia. I argue that these representations are more narratives that “we tell ourselves about ourselves” (Geertz) than objective reflections of reality. I discuss the importance of popular culture and brands in reinforcing positive representations. Furthermore, literary texts by A. Mešković, B. Sejranović and D. Špišić construct representations of Scandinavia from an immigrant perspective. These are potentially politically subversive because they address questions about the power of those in the position of the Other in Scandinavian societies.