Monography profile

This publication represents the first instalment in the series Challenges and Directions in Slovak Ethnology and Anthropology. The book offers a comprehensive and theoretically engaged examination of contemporary issues in Slovakia through the lens of local anthropology. It brings together leading Slovak ethnologists and anthropologists to explore themes such as political polarisation, migration, religious devotion, and methodological innovation. The volume is divided into two sections. The first focuses on contemporary challenges, analysing key sociopolitical developments, including the assassination attempt on Slovakia’s Prime Minister, the housing crisis for Ukrainian refugees, and the evolving role of Marian devotion. The second section introduces emerging methodologies, highlighting new approaches in ethnographic practice, such as sensory ethnography in environmental anthropology and the integration of artificial intelligence into archival research. Rooted in reflexive anthropology, the book engages with global academic debates while addressing the local realities of ethnographic practice in Slovakia. It critically reassesses the role of home anthropology, challenges the constraints of disciplinary traditions, and advocates for methodological pluralism. The volume is an essential contribution to the field, relevant to scholars of Central and Eastern European anthropology, ethnology, and cultural studies. This open-access publication is a valuable resource for academics, students, and professionals in social sciences, fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue on Slovakia’s shifting sociocultural landscape.