Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Acknowledgements 

Introduction 

Chapter 1: Macedonian Context

Chapter 2: Mapping Urban Identity

Chapter 3: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia: Gender—Experienced by Three Generations

Chapter 4: Getting Along

Chapter 5: Shopping for the "New" Person

Chapter 6: Silhouette: The Sculpted Body 

Chapter 7: Conclusion     

Bibliography and Recommended Reading

Index

Promotional Information

In the new cultural landscape of Skopje-the capital of the Republic of Macedonia-Thiessen crafts a fine ethnography of a changing society after the fall of socialism and independent nationhood. Ethnic conflict and violence in Macedonia has preoccupied outside observers and politicians, but the author follows the 'ordinary' lives of a vulnerable group of young female engineers, who are seeking employment in a world of masculine science. From the management of their body, to their ideology about sexuality and national identity, these young women try to distance themselves from the patriarchal nationalist past, only to come face-to-face with the 'masculinity effect' of the liberal democracy that is transforming their society... This ethnography is an excellent account of how locality responds to the stereotypes of backwardness in a period of liminality, while waiting for Macedonia to emerge worthy of its name. -- Anastasia Karakasidou, Wellesley College Thiessen is particularly good at bringing out the complexities and ambiguities that haunt the categories often used to make sense of contemporary Macedonian realities: 'Balkan' / 'European', rural / urban, backward / modern, Muslim / Orthodox, Macedonian / Yugoslav... This book should be read as part of a wider history of post-Yugoslavism, as well as an ethnographic evocation of a particular time and place. -- Wendy Bracewell, School of Eastern and Slavonic Studies, University College London

About the Author

Ilka Thiessen is a Professor of Anthropology at Malaspina University-College (Nanaimo, BC). She has written extensively on Macedonian culture and identity.

Reviews

In the new cultural landscape of Skopje-the capital of the Republic of Macedonia-Thiessen crafts a fine ethnography of a changing society after the fall of socialism and independent nationhood. Ethnic conflict and violence in Macedonia has preoccupied outside observers and politicians, but the author follows the 'ordinary' lives of a vulnerable group of young female engineers, who are seeking employment in a world of masculine science. From the management of their body, to their ideology about sexuality and national identity, these young women try to distance themselves from the patriarchal nationalist past, only to come face-to-face with the 'masculinity effect' of the liberal democracy that is transforming their society.... This ethnography is an excellent account of how locality responds to the stereotypes of backwardness in a period of liminality, while waiting for Macedonia to emerge worthy of its name.--Anastasia Karakasidou, Wellesley College
Thiessen is particularly good at bringing out the complexities and ambiguities that haunt the categories often used to make sense of contemporary Macedonian realities: 'Balkan' / 'European', rural / urban, backward / modern, Muslim / Orthodox, Macedonian / Yugoslav.... This book should be read as part of a wider history of post-Yugoslavism, as well as an ethnographic evocation of a particular time and place.--Wendy Bracewell, School of Eastern and Slavonic Studies, University College London