So.. is Slovenia the Balkans or Central Europe?

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Slinkyinthestinki@reddit

https://youtu.be/r_5Slnkzekc?si=hZxiHJpfpfgpALzY

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sjedinjenoStanje@reddit

If it weren't for its history as part of Yugoslavia, I don't think it would ever be considered part of the Balkans.

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Due_Instruction626@reddit

There would probably still be a discussion about it mainly due to its language being a south slavic one.

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Just because language has similarities, culture is not same. Starting with music, history, religion, politics, food, and ending with economy... Only last 100 years Slovenians got connected to Balkans. Before Yugoslavia everything was mostly related to Austria, Germany, and some parts to Italy.

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JRJenss@reddit

Then the same applies to Croatia but we are on the crossroads of central Europe, the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe - a large part of which is the Balkans. We are a mix of all of those things. Funny how in Croatia, you'll have people from Međimurje and Zagorje, Zagreb, Gorski Kotar, Rijeka, Istria...etc. claiming they're from the Balkans and basically not giving a f, whereas you'll find folks from Imotski, a few kilometers from the Bosnian border, getting all worked up and emotionally invested in "proving" they are not Balkaners. It really is about the narcissism of small differences and the phenomenon is ironic for sure. If you went some 120 years in the past, you'd find people from Zagreb burning Hungarian flags on the main square, and a few decades earlier resisting germanization - something Slovenes understand all too well. Not to mention the reaction of the coastal population to Italians losing their power over the eastern Adriatic. At the end of the day, currently most of us accept all of those influences and we're even kinda celebrating them - in real life for sure.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Firstly, Croatia was not part of Holy Roman Empire and had lands that were under Ottoman Empire, Hungarian Empire, and independent Croatian kingdom. On other hand, Slovenia was not under either of them. And yes, I would agree saying that parts of Croatia would rather fit to southern Europe than Balkans. Also, Slovenians started resisting Germans in 1800s with emergence of nationalism. Before that there was no need for such resistance. Many Slovenians were getmanized where their names would change to German. Some Slovenians changed whole identity to German, so it would be easier to improve their career opportunities...

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JRJenss@reddit

Sure, sure...but your reaction is very Balkan. Reminds me of those Imotski folks. 😂 HRE, lol! Istria was part of it and as it's said; that creation wasn't holy, wasn't roman and wasn't an empire either. It's as tho you're proud of some Slovenians losing their identity to Austrians. A truly fantastic achievement. You also had influence from Hungary via Prekmurje. So what if you have no cultural connection to Albania or Turkey? Neither do we but we do have connections to Serbians while you have connections to us - we were part of the same country for 400 years after all. When you include Yugoslavia, you definitely had a connection to Serbs as well. Greece for example has influenced the entire Europe greatly, but I guess not you. You haven't mentioned Italy either. According to you, Slovenes are closer to Germans than to even other south Slavs.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Yugoslavia existed for nearly 80 years and HRE existed for 1000 years. Now you are saying that only last 80 years determine that we are more like Serbs? And yes, I would say Slovenians are more similar to Austrians. The issue comes with economic migration from the south that caused and is causing the shift in culture. Same as Croatia is experiencing now with Bangladeshi and Philippine migration. You might see results in 20-30 years. Though, the issue comes when language (Slovenian-Serbian) is similar so much that another nationality refuses to learn it. Then those people started to balkanize our culture. There is no such thing as South Slavic culture, because all south Slavs are completely culturally different. It is only language identity. And the reason there is no such thing as South Slavic identity is also the reason why Yugoslavia collapsed. Because South Slavs were invented by 19th century nationalists. Same as those people that affiliated Croats with Goths as Germanic people.

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JRJenss@reddit

South Slavs were not "invented" by 19th century nationalists. It is an objectively existing group of Slavs, just like western or eastern Slavs, Romance people or Scandinavians for that matter. To equate the existence of south Slavs with some fringe BS about Croats being Goths is absurd.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

The idea of South Slavs is based only on language. Culturally they are not similar. Also, Slovenian language is not completely South Slavic since the two waves of Slavic migration formed modern Slovenian language. First was western Slavic, second was Southern Slavic. So the language is actually a mixture of both west and south slavic language with the core of modern Slovenian (that was artificially defined in 19th century in order to create a modern universal Slovenian language) is south Slavic. And lastly language was impacted by German language for 1000 years. Thats why we dont say 56 as fifty-six, but we say six and fifty.

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JRJenss@reddit

Wow, you don't say fifty six but six and fifty...not in German but in a south slavic language. How fascinating. My favorite Slovenian wines come from a region where everyone speaks fluent Italian. Osijek in Slavonia used to be a German speaking city, Vojvodina in Serbia had as many Germans as Hungarians, if not more, while the border region between Serbia and Bulgaria has a Bulgarian minority and a specific dialect. So what? We were all influenced by others, as well as by each other. Of course we're not the same but saying we're not similar is nonsense.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Šestinpetdeset. Never heard a Croat or Serb speaking so. Yes all countries are diverse. But ones are more influenced by Austria and Germany, others are more infouenced by Turkey. My favourite Austrian restaurant serves gyros and it doesnt mean that Austria is Balkan, Turkish or Greek.

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JRJenss@reddit

Turbofolk cajke aren't Croatian music, lol!! And of course that's your favorite music, but you are definitely not a Balkaner, oh no no never! There's nothing in common with you and countries like Serbia, culturally speaking. 😂

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

DUDE!! You didnt just say Croats don't have turbofolk 😂😂 Cajke are best import from Croatia! 😂 My favourite one is Siniša Vuco-Podigla me iz pepela. Also his mix with gypsy serbian singer Dzej. Then there is Mate Bulić-Naoružan do zuba and gori gora, gori borovina. But yeah it not the main music I listen. Usually when I hang out with immigrants from Balkans. You won't believe me, but 90% of the time I listen to older Slovenian songs like Štirje kovači, Lojze Slak, Beneški fantje. But I do have respect for most of Balkan songs as I do for Austrian songs. Though I agree that turbo cajke are serbian music, but very common in Croatia, because you are more close to Serbia than Slovenia. As you said earlier there are more similarities between Croatia and Serbia than Slovenia than any of them. Also language is same Croatian =Serbian, otherwise we wouldnt speak in English right now

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JRJenss@reddit

Yes, cajke are serbian music, fairly common in Croatia AND Slovenia - especially among Slovenian youth. Our youth at least still respects Azra, Haustor, EKV, Let 3, Prljavo Kazalište...etc. We're not stuck between cajke and polka like you. So tell me again how you're not Balkan. 😂😂 I don't listen to cajke at all, so tell me how you're not Balkan

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Slovenians dont listen to Balkan. Balkan imigrants listen to Balkan. Big difference. We dont even have a single cajke author. And even if there would be one, you can track out that he is an immigrant or descendat of an immigrant.

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JRJenss@reddit

I see, so you're a balkan immigrant because you love cajke. Please stop with this nonsense, I've been to Slovenian clubs a bunch of times and heard what they listen to. It's not: Na planincah sončece sije

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

I guess it was Balkan club 😂 We have those too yes. As well as Baja mali knindza. Croatians love it too.

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JRJenss@reddit

Those were clubs in a balkan country called Slovenia.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

So Balkan club. Everything clear 👌 I've also enjoyed Serbian Dalmatia in the summer.

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JRJenss@reddit

Many balkan clubs in a balkan country. And nothing is clear to you...not even the basic geography of Dalmatia. You probably arrived at our coast blasting serbian music, right balkan boy? 😂

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

As I said Vuco is my favourite Croatian singer. All you Croats loved it. Croats have best of Serbian culture. I love Croatia 🇷🇸❤️

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JRJenss@reddit

Vuco is a joke in Croatia but of course you love him, balkan boy. At least you're honest now instead of pretending to be Mitteleuropa.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Greetings to Balkan. I love Croatia 🇷🇸❤️

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JRJenss@reddit

And greetings to you, balkan boy. You love Serbia too. It's probably where your parents immigrated

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

No worries. I have 400 years of family tree done. All Slovenians. On other hand, I love your uskok history migrating from Belgrade pašaluk to Zagreb and Split 🇷🇸

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JRJenss@reddit

Hey, no reason to be ashamed of your parents, balkan boy. Common now...they raised you.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

You are ashamed of your Serbian roots? Serbs would accept you kindly. Croats just need to recognize your own heritage. Language is same. History is same. That means you are Serbs. As Thompson would say: "Genes made of stones". True Serbian genes.

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JRJenss@reddit

Hey, keep proudly waiving that Serbian flag, balkan boy. Don't stop now. 😂

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

All for you my Dalmato Serbian neighbour 🇷🇸

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JRJenss@reddit

There you go. Nobody's going to judge you for being a serbian immigrant. And thanks for proving my point about Slovenia being balkan. A small, pathetic balkan country needing to use serbian nationalism because its own is too funny to be taken seriously. 😂

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

You proved my point of Croatia being a Serb province. Small pathetic, natinalistic. A nation that doesn't want to be Serbian, but slowly you will realize your own true heritage 👌

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JRJenss@reddit

You have no point, balkan boy.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

And yes, Slovenia is nationalistic when we had mostly left wing government accepting all of you immigrants while Croatia had HDZ since its own fictional existence of being unserb country 😂 Keep joking Serb

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JRJenss@reddit

"Slovenia is nationalistic when we had mostly left wing government". Hahaha...what a coherent sentence!! I'm joking because you are a joke. A 100% balkan joke.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

100% Serbian mother 😂👌

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JRJenss@reddit

Can't say I'm surprised your mommy is 100% Serbian, but really don't care.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Father Slovenian, mother Serbian. That's how Croats were created. Geographically fits.

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Cry Serb

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JRJenss@reddit

You're the one crying about being a balkaner while being obsessed with Serbs and shaking to cajke. So ironic

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Mother_Screen_7694@reddit

I used to think croats were just seaside serbs

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Brownballhair@reddit

They're Balkan when it's convenient for them

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horridpersona@reddit

Central Europe in all aspects

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Educational_Term_463@reddit

can confirm

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horridpersona@reddit

It's sweet though that the rest of the countries dont give up on Slovenia being Balkanic. They all believe you are faking the Central European inclination, which is not the case.

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Jujubatron@reddit

Central European is a made up term by embarrassed Eastern block countries.

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Relevant_Turn5493@reddit

It is balkan, trust me I'm Slovenian 😆

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That-Classroom-1359@reddit

Immigrant?

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Relevant_Turn5493@reddit

No, native. If you are coming from the west, balkan slowly and softly begins in slovenia and intensifies through croatia..and then suddenly you realise that you have arrived 😆

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DifficultWill4@reddit

Well as someone from eastern Slovenia I feel the most at home in Austrian Styria, Carinthia and Croatian Zagorje

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Educational_Term_463@reddit

as someone from eastern Slovenia I feel most at home in Italy; Gorizia, Trieste, Udine...

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crystalysa@reddit

Which is consistent with what u/ Relevant_Turn5493 said

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Tsukee@reddit

We are Schrödinger balkans.

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HumanMan00@reddit

As I already wrote in another post - When it's nice things Yes, they are Balkan, when it's nad things No, they are Central Europe.

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vladedivac12@reddit

[zizek explanation ](https://youtu.be/r_5Slnkzekc) + [geographic delimitation ](https://youtu.be/bwDrHqNZ9lo)

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Tsukee@reddit

The one and only

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erionei@reddit

Even when it’s nice things I often see Slovenes refuse to be grouped with the Balkans

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HumanMan00@reddit

I agree but im.just talking about their general attitude.

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DetachedLens@reddit

Can you really blame them? :D

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HumanMan00@reddit

Well no - they are the most levelheaded of the bunch. 😁

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name2sayMKD@reddit

Unfort. You cant move them geogeaph. From the Balkans🤗

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Royal_Association750@reddit

Slovenia is like that one cousin that’s part of the family but doesn’t visit as much as he used to

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vladedivac12@reddit

Politically, yeah. Culturally? Last time I've been there, most of the youth consumes Balkan entertainment (music, movies, internet trends, etc) mainly from Belgrade. I think considering they're a small country and there was a lot of immigration from other Ex-Yu Republics that young Slovenes tend to adopt an identity influenced by neighbouring Balkan countries than to develop their own. Luka Doncic, being the most famous Slovenian right now, listening to Ceca and other Serbian / Balkan folk artists is certainly contributing to that.

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StrudlEnjoyer@reddit

What you're describing is quite an interesting phenomenon in Western European countries that receive a lot of immigrants where a significant portion of lower class urban youth adopts the immigrants' culture, usually that is black or Arab but in our case the most prevalent immigrants are Bosnians and Serbs.

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East-Raccoon135@reddit

Dear Slovenians None of us care if you are in the Balkans Your superiority complex is getting old Sincerely The Balkans

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Tsukee@reddit

Not entirely unfounded, still we really shouldn't be assholes about it yet we still often are.... Sorry

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mihacamper@reddit

Yes Balkan music, food and some other things are popular. But we make no mistake thinking that this is not our culture. We appreciate it, but we still respect and love ours. Similiar to latin culture in USA. Slovenian culture has always been fusion of Slavic, Germanic and Italian. And this didnt stop in modern age.

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FloppyDiskDrives@reddit

He thinks he's too good for the family now, but the Western friends he yearns to be accepted by still make him sit at the kids' table.

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StudySpecial@reddit

so slovenia is like the switzerland of the balkans, gg

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Tsukee@reddit

Apt description lol and has been so for a long time. The annoying part is sadly many in our country feel and act somewhat superior, its a pitty we had a good run together, but i don't think we will ever see each other as brothers again.

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Hermaphrodite_meteor@reddit

He is too good for the family.

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FordFreeState@reddit

No

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Hermaphrodite_meteor@reddit

Yes

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missed-the@reddit

Yeah, no. We just happily export stuff to those with money and like minding our own business. Tourism, sure but western Europe is too whacked. Picture it like this, if Balkans is toxic nationalism, west is the polar opposite - and both extremes stink to us.

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rick_boby@reddit

because he got his life together and the family is toxic 😂

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PweaseMister@reddit

and broke

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East-Raccoon135@reddit

☠️☠️ get off your high horse

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PweaseMister@reddit

mb. we have to enjoy it while it lasts. once albania is in the eu its over for us

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East-Raccoon135@reddit

how so?

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PweaseMister@reddit

we've been getting EU money and look at where we are - not a bad spot but I feel like the growth has stagnated. I just think Albania has potential and being in the EU would open so many doors and oppertunities Albania hasn't really had. I don't really know albout Albania even though I have good friends from there and I really hope you guys get to strive and prosper within EU or not I just think one would be faste.

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East-Raccoon135@reddit

Haha I wish I shared that hope and optimism

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PweaseMister@reddit

it's crazy how we all think our country is the best and simultaneously going to shit lol

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ponosen_slavenc@reddit

If that would make the albanian population in Slovenia return to their homeland i hope they enter soon🙏🇸🇮

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East-Raccoon135@reddit

☠️☠️

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Travelmusicman35@reddit

Well more of the family is getting its life together and soon it will be Serbia, and Macedonia stewing in the corner while Bosnia tries to figure out what exactly it is.

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Defiant_Day_1945@reddit

Also Cyprus and Moldova as honorary members

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LordNoxu@reddit

Slovenia is as balkan as romania is, do what you want with this info

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Diet6000@reddit

Geographicly it's CE, considering big number of migr from Bosnia and Serbia then demographicly it's Balkan.

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mrPenetrator420@reddit

Would Balkaners emigrate to another Balkan country? I don't think so. And Slovenia has a lot of emigrants from Balkan. But culture doesn't follow the borders and most recent events, there is always a gradient. Slovenian culture, economy, institutions,... were influenced by EU, Yugoslavia, Italy and Austro-Hungary.

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LetRevolutionary271@reddit

Romania and Slovenia are part time balkaners. If you insult the balkans Slovenia is central Europe, if you praise the balkans Slovenia is balkan. Romania is a wild card because it can either be Eastern or sometimes even Central Europe

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UnRazim@reddit

Romanian here, never heard someone to call Romania Central Europe… you have to look on the map we don’t have Europe East to us… where are we Central?

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LetRevolutionary271@reddit

Și eu sunt Român, some cărți de școală spun că suntem de Europa Centrală. Și e doar o glumă

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soundchess@reddit

Literaly no one in Europe, other than Romanians themselves, consider Romania to be a part of Central Europe.

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DisastrousWasabi@reddit

Romania CE only in Romanian text books

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Alternative-Tie-4970@reddit

Depends on who you ask

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Ill-Dragonfruit4394@reddit

Türkiye is not the Balkans.

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Durim187@reddit

with all respect, Turkey cant be Balkans. Balkans is a peninsula, not a vibe.

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merinid@reddit

If an imaginary country can be in the list, then why Slovenia can't be both?

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TNT_GR@reddit

Yes

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Candid_Company_3289@reddit

There is no such thing as "central europe"

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Organic_Contract_172@reddit (OP)

And yet your whole family works there

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Candid_Company_3289@reddit

Nope

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mihacamper@reddit

Why cant be both? It literally depends on what specific things you you asking. If you compare us to Germans, then yes, we are more relaxed, open and laid back. When you compare us to other Balkan countries, we are more organised, like peace and order. We have Germanic, Slavic and a little bit of Italian habits in our blood. For most of our history we were part of either Austria, Italy or some sort of Slavic state. Our music, food and mentality is a mix and fusion of all three.

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doors_pro_1234@reddit

my country

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Skobalj_2689@reddit

Yugoslavia was Balkans so that means Slovenia is also Balkans like it or not

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Feidhlim_de_Rovno@reddit

https://youtu.be/bwDrHqNZ9lo?si=JoG9AJSK9Uo8rTuV It should have become the universal answer to this eternal question by this point

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NoHawk668@reddit

Just because there are a lot of Serbs, Bosnians and Albanians living there, it doesn't make it Balkan. Otherwise you should include Austria, Germany and Australia in Balkans.

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Spirited_Patience_80@reddit

You forgot Switzerland. When I went to school in every class there was at least 5-6 people from Balkans. Usually from Bosnia (Croatians or Bosniaks), NM (both Macedonians and Albanians) and to a lesser extent from Kosovo (they mostly live in the German-speaking part of CH). And lots of Portuguese too, so I can confirm they are Balkan as well. 😆 I think I always had at least one Balkaner and one Portuguese in each class I was in.

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Plastic-Cap-7169@reddit

Do lots of Albanians live in Slovenia?

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NoHawk668@reddit

From Kosovo, yeah.

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Me_no_good_hombre@reddit

Turkiye ![gif](giphy|AWFz1vFPojxseMy8JA|downsized)

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Ambitious-Tea-9923@reddit

Any political connections to Austria is Central Europe

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Sufficient_Sleep_169@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/s4ecz1xqgmcg1.jpeg?width=1136&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f70dc76befe98655f8f9acb94da8fc85a516abee

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crystalysa@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/clqk7f0wqmcg1.jpeg?width=1220&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efa8a9baf8dfa96026a775db171fb4b7cd30b2d8 Here’s another map for you

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Sufficient_Sleep_169@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/ilxae8hkimcg1.jpeg?width=1896&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ba1894cf600383c3fa5962c7fe8bede3cd4ae02 Croatia and Slovenia are states in Central Europe

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crystalysa@reddit

My favourite part of this map is how Croatia circles around Bosnia going even further South yet somehow isn’t balkan 🤣

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Sufficient_Sleep_169@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/mkz01vqcgmcg1.jpeg?width=1064&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c65078ba4a81296b18540bc87130df58d7259aa Central Europe

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crystalysa@reddit

So according to this Bosnia isn’t balkan?

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Sufficient_Sleep_169@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/uqpgomnbhmcg1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46049e3f88dd48a2c7e53b69d025c8d210c3dc91 Balcan states

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Sufficient_Sleep_169@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/ot2v7wh1hmcg1.jpeg?width=1173&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94fa3ae57d17afd1c945744f34f89b9148575f7a Religion and cultural

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Sufficient_Sleep_169@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/ab7a1nm5fmcg1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f52469e31e67c729fa92b2e451afc98608fb1af5 Balkans in history

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wingipingi1@reddit

I always thought the Balkan countries were only those that were once under Ottoman rule? All the parts that were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire aren't Balkan, are they? My maternal ancestors are Danube Swabians from Hungary and Croatia; that's not Balkan

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DetachedLens@reddit

It's a geographical term. Why would it have anything to do with the Ottomans?

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Budget_Insurance329@reddit

Because I guess Balkan culture is a mix of Ottoman and Eastern European culture?

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DetachedLens@reddit

Some countries in the Balkans have remnants of the Ottoman culture at best. The more you go to the north the less of that you will see. By the time you reach Croatia there is basically zero evidence of any Ottoman influence apart from some words and several dishes, but even until there I would limit it to cuisine and vocabulary. More complex things like mentality and lifestyle is clearly western oriented or tries to be at least. For this reason, saying that Balkan culture is a mix is kid of overestimating the influence of the Ottoman culture. Maybe 200 years ago but not anymore.

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Budget_Insurance329@reddit

Turkish lifestyle or mentality is also not a monolith. Some closer to Balkan and some closer to Middle East. As the Balkans are not a monolith either

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DetachedLens@reddit

I agree with that. That’s why I said the more to the north you go the less Ottoman influence you’ll see. Yes. The areas close to Turkey inevitably kept more of that influence to this day.

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wingipingi1@reddit

Baranya County in Hungary and Slavonia Region in Croatia are definitely not part of the geographical Balkans.

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DetachedLens@reddit

Still has nothing to do with the Ottomans.

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wingipingi1@reddit

The Ottoman Empire ruled most of the Balkan Peninsula for centuries, from the 14th century until the early 20th century, encompassing modern-day countries like Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and parts of Romania

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Dear-Ad1582@reddit

Stop rubbing it in our faces..

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wingipingi1@reddit

sonst gehts dir gut?

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DetachedLens@reddit

Look, buddy, we’re talking past each other here. Yes, the Ottomans ruled a large part of what is now known as the Balkan Peninsula, but that is not what determines what *is* or *isn’t* Balkan. All you need to know is the following: There are many factors that go into determining Balkan frontiers, and I assure you, in fact, I promise you, that the extent of historic Ottoman conquests is not one of them.

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wingipingi1@reddit

So, as I said, my maternal line are Danube Swabians, from Hungary and Croatia; the Banat or Batchka are not Balkan either.

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DetachedLens@reddit

>my maternal line are Danube Swabians, from Hungary and Croatia Great! Nobody cares. >the Banat or Batchka are not Balkan either. So what? I that has nothing to do with what you claimed previously.

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wingipingi1@reddit

You don't understand; it was always taught that the countries that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire culturally belong to the West. The Balkans were always considered culturally as the part that belonged to the Ottoman Empire.

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vladedivac12@reddit

The Balkans culturally speaking : The Balkan cultural definition includes countries on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe, generally comprising Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and European Turkey, though definitions vary, encompassing diverse cultures shaped by Ottoman, Slavic, Byzantine, and Mediterranean influences. While geography defines the peninsula, culture and history often link countries like former Yugoslavia states, emphasizing shared complexities rather than strict borders.

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smeidkrp@reddit

The term balkan is a Turkish word meaning "mountain". Ottomans called that region the Balkans because of its mountainous geography. Idk if there's any common consensus on the borders of Balkans nowadays but yeah

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Lomunac@reddit

How is Slavonia not in the Balkans?

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wingipingi1@reddit

Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary weren't considered part of the traditional "Balkans" due to their history within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, their distinct Western/Central European Catholic culture (unlike the predominantly Orthodox/Islamic Ottoman Balkans), and geography, often being seen as more Central European; while geographically parts of the peninsula (especially coastal Croatia), their political, cultural, and historical ties leaned towards Central Europe and away from Ottoman-influenced Southeastern Europe

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Lomunac@reddit

What history, Balkan PENINSULA, not Balkan occupiers???

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DifficultWill4@reddit

The Balkan peninsula ends in Trst thought

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wingipingi1@reddit

You yourself, as a supposed Albanian, know that the Slovenes, Croats, Hungarians, and also many Romanians don't consider themselves part of the Balkans, neither culturally nor otherwise. But it seems to me, as in every subreddit, that most of the people asking questions and answering them aren't even remotely ethnically related to the group. You're all Anglo-Saxons writing here.

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Lomunac@reddit

Some Zlovenes, Croats... Don't considering THEMSELVES Balkan people means jack shit, Balkan received it's name by one and only thing, Balkan peninsula - If you're on it = you're it!

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wingipingi1@reddit

But Slavonia or Baranja region in croatia is not Balkan, nor is Upper Carniola in Slovenia. oberkrain und balkan , klar omg...es geht noch.

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nrliii@reddit

just google balkan peninsula or redo elementary please turko german.

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wingipingi1@reddit

Don't be insulting. I don't discuss things on a primitive level.

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nrliii@reddit

im sorry swabian man, im just an primitive balkan man :)

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wingipingi1@reddit

Don't worry, my father's side are Balkan Turks from Thrace. But why am I even stooping to answering this ridiculous question that was 100% asked by an American?

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Skywrathx9@reddit

A+ in History Z- in Geography

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wingipingi1@reddit

says the American? Strictly speaking, the Balkans are ONLY in Bulgaria, because that's where the Balkan Mountains are located. Geographically speaking.

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Skywrathx9@reddit

Lil bro, he literally said peninsula and you going on about a bulgarian mountain lol

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wingipingi1@reddit

I only gave examples. As I said, there are many maps that describe Moldova and parts of Ukraine as part of the Balkans... so where does the Balkans begin culturally and geographically, and where does it end? If you consider Upper Carniola in Slovenia, Baranja, Slavonia, Banat, and Bačka (all once German settlement areas of the Danube Swabians) to be part of the Balkans, then those who consider parts of Moldova and Ukraine to be part of the Balkans must also be right. What's next? Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic also part of the Balkans? Come on, stick to what you know.

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wingipingi1@reddit

says the American?

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vladedivac12@reddit

There's a geographical Balkan region and a cultural one. Geographically : The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) are delimited by their eastern and western endpoints: starting near the Timok River valley at the Serbia-Bulgaria border (Vrashka Chuka) and extending eastward for about 560 km, terminating at Cape Emine on the Black Sea coast, forming a natural divider within Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. Culturally : The Balkan cultural definition includes countries on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe, generally comprising Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and European Turkey, though definitions vary, encompassing diverse cultures shaped by Ottoman, Slavic, Byzantine, and Mediterranean influences. While geography defines the peninsula, culture and history often link countries like former Yugoslavia states, emphasizing shared complexities rather than strict borders.

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wingipingi1@reddit

For me and many others, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia (with the exception of Sandžak), Greece in general (with the exception of Eastern Macedonia and Western Thrace), and most of Romania (with the exception of Dobruja) do not culturally belong to the Balkans. I agree with the others you mentioned.

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vladedivac12@reddit

From experience, most of Serbia and major parts of Croatia are definitely Balkan.

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wingipingi1@reddit

Well, there are also many who claim that Moldova and parts of Ukraine belong to the Balkans... but let's leave that aside... Slavonia and Baranja are geographically and historically often located in the Pannonian region (Central/Eastern Europe) and not primarily in the traditional "Balkans" (Southeastern Europe). They form eastern, continental Croatia between the Danube, Drava, and Sava rivers, strongly influenced by Hungary and Austria-Hungary, which distinguishes their identity from the Adriatic coast, even though Croatia itself is considered a Balkan state. The region is known as the breadbasket of Croatia, differs culturally and geographically from Mediterranean Croatia, and was historically part of the Habsburg Monarchy. Upper Carniola (Gorenjska) in Slovenia is a historical Alpine region in the north, strongly influenced by Austria and characterized by mountains, lakes (Bled, Bohinj) and the famous folk music (Oberkrainer style), but geographically and culturally it clearly belongs to Alpine Central Europe and not to the Balkans, even though Slovenia is considered a Balkan state (Southeast Europe), which explains the confusion.

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ilijadwa@reddit

I’m not sure why you’re saying “was historically part of the Habsburg monarchy” as if Slavonia wasn’t also Ottoman for 150-180 years?

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wingipingi1@reddit

? Slavonia is part of Croatia, and it was once part of the Habsburg Empire. My grandfather was born in Slavonia during the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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ilijadwa@reddit

I just find it interesting you omitted to mention it was also once ottoman. This is a common thing that you see amongst Croats where you will literally hear about the *french* rule (which lasted about seven years!) more than the ottomans somehow who ruled some parts of present day Croatia for over 200 years 🧐

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wingipingi1@reddit

You don't understand me at all; your answer doesn't fit what I'm writing. 🎃

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ilijadwa@reddit

Perhaps your reading is faulty then… you said that places that weren’t under ottoman control aren’t Balkan, but then highlight places like Hungary and Croatia as not being Balkan as they weren’t under the ottomans. But both Hungary and Croatia were under the ottomans, so by that definition you have contradicted yourself…

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wingipingi1@reddit

But it was reconquered by the Habsburgs. And not all of Croatia was under Turkish rule, just as not all of Hungary was. You claim there were no Danube Swabians? Wow.

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Sad_Philosopher_3163@reddit

Putting Turkey and Slovenia in the same group is funny to me.

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sayinmer@reddit

imagine being triggered by this… who hurt you?

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Blood_Prince95@reddit

Turkey is that weird neighbour that self invites himself to other peoples family gatherings and pretends to be more family than family.

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Successful-Biggy@reddit

And Greece is that one neighbour suddenly starts complaining and downing the weather while everyone is having fun in the gathering..

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Blood_Prince95@reddit

It’s a joke buddy.

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Successful-Biggy@reddit

I know man, we really love you guys :)

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Blood_Prince95@reddit

I know! Everyone in the Balkans really loves each other. It’s just some brotherly tough love.

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alababama@reddit

:(

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Blood_Prince95@reddit

We still gonna serve you though 😇

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Travelmusicman35@reddit

Then don't include it in the pic.

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Successful-Biggy@reddit

Bro Turkey is not even part of the discussion lol

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Sad_Philosopher_3163@reddit

It is, because Slovenia is grouped together with Turkey in that picture. They are very different from each other and i am not even exaggerating.

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Super-Owl2829@reddit

Well since Balkans were part of Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years and even the word Balkans come from turkish language and there is more than 20 million people in Turkey that have Balkan heritage.

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Sad_Philosopher_3163@reddit

And what does that have to do with Slovenia? Eastern Thrace is on the peninsula, rest of Turkey is not. Just because a small part of Turkey is in Europe, it doesn't make it similar to Slovenia.

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Super-Owl2829@reddit

it has nothing to do with Slovenia as you can see I answered to your other comment why they are grouped together with Turkey because the chart is about Balkans and Eastern Thrace may be a small territory but it's alone have population close to 15 million which makes nearly 1/3 population of Balkan peninsula.

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Piffius@reddit

You're missing the Swedish flag in there...

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Puzzled-Structure446@reddit

Slovenia is the type of people who are Balkan, but like to pretend that they're not, even if they totally are,

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ivanristicbg@reddit

Balkan ends on Bregana crossing!

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pythonski@reddit

The order is wrong. Macedonia bigins with ‘N’

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Glittering-Poet-2657@reddit

Bigins.

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pythonski@reddit

Corrected..

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Hot_Sandwich8935@reddit

In the biginins

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adrandsc@reddit

In the beninging

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Travelmusicman35@reddit

It's Macedonia not Nacedonia, basic stuff here.

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Loife1@reddit

Nacedonia

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Fatalaros@reddit

Slovenia is not just Balkans, it's the gatekeeper of the Balkans. No western influence goes past it and no balkan culture affects beyond it.

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vladedivac12@reddit

You haven't been in Vienna haven't you

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Fatalaros@reddit

I have!! Gotta say Austrians are the laziest people on the world. It was 10 in the morning and the only thing that was open were metro station cantinas.

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Romania2001@reddit

Romania is not a Balkan country! We are not in the Balkan Peninsula!

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Snakefinger420@reddit

Balkan is where people build homes with 5 floors that looks like it is about to tip over. Usually with drug money from western Europe.

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nidorancxo@reddit

Geographically, Romania and Slovenia are not really part of the peninsula but they are Balkan in their hearts. ❤️

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Zhidezoe@reddit

Yes, they have access to the Adriatic Sea and Balkan is a peninsula, it is geographicaly impossible to not be part of Balkan when you are part of the peninsula.

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Third_Rate_Duelist_@reddit

Both

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kirjanko@reddit

Ask Austrians and Germans where the Balkans start from 😏

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artist-05@reddit

Definitely is. But I would remove Turkey.

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Wolfiee021@reddit

It's kinda both

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mihjok@reddit

Sava and Danube are borthers, so partly.

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ComfortableGlad6766@reddit

do slovenian femboys like polish guys asking for a friend

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iownawall@reddit

No

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ElegantElderberry173@reddit

Croatia is the sweet spot

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GimmeGimmeMoarrr@reddit

I hate them all equaly, I'd never discriminate anyone <3

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sudacporotaegzekutor@reddit

well: 1. they're geographically not on the peninsula and 2. slovenians don't want to be called balkan country. isn't it enough?

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iownawall@reddit

Slovenes that don't want to be called balkaners are on a high horse

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Travelmusicman35@reddit

Romania, turkey and Kosovo taken off, the last because it doesn't exist as a Country. Slovenia, only a portion.

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Hot_Sandwich8935@reddit

Yes

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resident-117@reddit

honestly, i think our culture has been influenced by both regions. i'd say we are somewhat both.

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canyoubelieveitt@reddit

Slovenia is as Balkans as Romania, you can count it and you can leave it out and you would be correct either way.

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excelboy00@reddit

Balkans is not only a place but also a state of mind.

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East-Raccoon135@reddit

Honestly they don’t seem to want to be Balkan so fuck it let’s get them out of this chat

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Prod_Meteor@reddit

North Macedonia.

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http_bored@reddit

I always think of them as a part of Balkan, but I’ve read several times that they don’t want to be associated with us

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vladedivac12@reddit

Ask Zizek ![gif](giphy|MtuaGCPQ95osM)

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Skywrathx9@reddit

Before exploring anything in the Balkans, google - narcicism of small differences

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WorldlinessRadiant77@reddit

I’ll be a bit contrarian - the main division in Europe isn’t East, Central and West, but North and South with some edge cases like Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary. I was visiting some in-laws in Catalonia for the holidays and I felt right at home. As in attitude, habits and general mindset. In that sense Slovenia is closer to the Balkans and Italy than it is to Poland.

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Hyperphialos@reddit

Many consider half of Greece to be the Balkans and the other half to be southern Europe. In Thessaloniki, where I live, the Athenians often call us Balkans, derogatory of course 😂

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Few-Bicycle5685@reddit

Central European and nothing else

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Few-Bicycle5685@reddit

Cental europe

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Several-Zombies6547@reddit

Why not both? Greece is grouped in both the Balkans and Southern Europe.

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Prior-Painting2956@reddit

The famus kurwa malaka line

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thatMrGecko@reddit

why not both

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Overall_Whole_3349@reddit

CE

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Cankarcek123@reddit

I would honetly say it's both, while southern Slovenia is on Balkan peninsula, north is central Europe, Slovenian culture isn't Balkan at all so I'd say it's central European.

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kojekudekoje@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/nd4efmqb3kcg1.jpeg?width=1224&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5cfb268af60c149b8db70c06f0384dc1d7e621f6 Yes, really small part of Slovenia but yes.

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