The socio-cultural context in the Balkans: focus on Greece, Macedonia and Romania

The socio-cultural context in the Balkans: focus on Greece, Macedonia, and Romania

“The ignorant person affirms, the wise man hesitates and reflects” Aristotle

Centuries have passed since the Ottoman Empire made the great conquest in the area that today is called the Balkans. The region definitely takes the names after its geographical highlights; the Balkan Mountains.

In fact, the word Balkan in Turkish means "mountain". Turkish culture, which for many years was the dominant culture of the peninsula, has left many patterns in the countries that have formed over the years.

Two major historical factors shaped the Balkans: the first was the split of the Roman Empire, dividing the Balkans into Roman Catholic and Byzantine Orthodox. The second factor was the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, which marked five centuries of Islamic influence further dividing the Balkans in Christian and Muslim.

Thus, the Balkan Identities demonstrates the ever-changing nature of a troubled and culturally vibrant region.

The countries in the Balkan Peninsula are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and the European part of Turkey.

But what are the similarities between Greece, Macedonia, and Romania? And what are the differences?

What is their lifestyle? What is their business etiquette?

The sociocultural context that can be outlined in the 3 countries is similar and different just like the spices: mixed with different ingredients, they give different flavors.