Reconstruction of spatial identities through sport: An example of fans of football clubs FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol

Abstract

Rad se bavi jednim od bitnih predmeta interesa društvene geografije – prostornim identitetom. Istražuje se način na koji se prostorni identitet rekonstruira preko sporta kao medija. Sport je vrlo važan u Španjolskoj – ima veliku društvenu ulogu, sentimentalno značenje i čini identitetsku odrednicu mnogih ljudi. Pitanje izgradnje i reprodukcije identiteta istražuje se na primjeru navijača nogometnih klubova FC Barcelona i RCD Espanyol; oba kluba su iz Katalonije, preciznije – iz Barcelone. Rad se bavi političko-ideološkom simbolikom klubova te oblicima očitovanja takve simbolike u društvu i prostoru. Istražuju se i opisuju aspekti interakcije klubova i navijača.The thesis deals with one of the most important concerns of social geography - spatial identity. It explores the way spatial identity reconstructs over sport as a media. Sport is very important in Spain - it has great social impact, sentimental meaning and it makes identity entry of many people. The issue of construction and reproduction of identity is being explored on the example of fans of football clubs FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol; both which are from Catalonia, more precisely - Barcelona. The thesis deals with political and ideological symbolism of the clubs and the way that symbolism is manifested in the society and space. It also explores and describes the aspects of the interaction between clubs and the fans