Dinamica identitară în Găgăuzia: relaţia dintre memorie, politică şi simboluri culturale

This article examines the complex process of identity construction and reconstruction among the Găgăuz, an ethnic Turkic community living in the autonomous region of Găgăuzia, in southern Moldova. Based on field research conducted in Comrat, the capital of Găgăuzia, the study explores how memory, political context, and cultural symbols shape the collective identity of this community. The concept of “symbol managers” is introduced to describe the local actors who strategically manage and promote cultural symbols, such as monuments, flags, and architecture, to reinforce a distinct Găgăuz identity. The selective nature of collective memory plays a crucial role in this process, especially concerning the community's ambivalent relationship with its Soviet past and the interwar Romanian experience. The study highlights how political tensions between Găgăuzia and the central authorities in Chişinău, coupled with external influences from Russia and Turkey, contribute to a fluid identity. As Găgăuzia navigates the challenges of globalization and modernization, its cultural landscape becomes a battleground where identity is continuously negotiated. This article contributes to the broader discourse on how marginalized ethnic communities use memory and cultural symbols to sustain and redefine their identity in a changing political environment.