Symbolic Struggles Surrounding the (Re) naming of Urban Public Space: The Case Study of Šabana Bajramovića Street in Niš (Serbia)

The paper analyzes the symbolic struggles surrounding the (re)naming and the "appropriation" of urban public space from below (from the citizens), which take place simultaneously and outside the official policy of (re)naming from above (by the local government and the state). This is empirically analyzed in a case study of Šabana Bajramovića Street (a world-renowned Roma jazz singer) in Niš (Serbia). The official decision to name this street in the city where the mentioned artist was born, lived, and died as a member of a minority ethnic community brought about opposition from certain citizens and a public debate on the odonymic commemoration and participation of the Roma. The research data were compiled using content analysis of various official documents and media reports, as well as semi-structured interviews with citizens, representatives of the government and various NGOs. The findings indicate a contradiction between strategies and tactics implemented by the government and the citizens, as well as the role of ethnic boundaries as resources of symbolic struggles for and within public space. Connecting the basic arguments and conclusions with the appropriate theory, the paper provides a broad contribution to understanding hierarchical social relations which can be read from street signs.