Abstrakt
The paper focuses on different strategies of ethnic mobilization and identity politics amongst the Aromanian elites in Bulgaria. On the basis of a field research the author distinguished two different strategies of ethnic mobilization and politics of remembering among the Bulgarian Aromanians.
The first one is focused on the past and is grounded on the idea of renewal - therefore it is named 'revival strategy'. The second one is oriented towards the future and the past is understood mainly as resource for present solidarity mobilization.
In this strategy 'Aromanianness', understood as a project, is negotiated in and through international cross-border networks of Aromanian associations operating in the Balkans and elsewhere. This strategy is called 'encouragement strategy'.
Focusing on the latter strategy the paper illustrates the performative and highly contextual character of Aromanian ethnic identity negotiations. Thus it is argued that the Aromanian identity can be best understood not as a 'thing in the world', but as a project that has (or has not) materialized.