Serbian Music and Cultural National Identity: The Role of Medieval Myths

The myth about Kosovo and Metohija, as the centre of the great Serbian medieval Empire is in the core of the Sebian national identity. Besides, the mythical place of southern Serbia was also the place of the most tragical loss of Serbian people: after the Kosovo Battle (1389), Serbian Empire was defeated and for almost five hundred years invaded by Ottomans. From that point, Serbian people became Heaven people, according to the construction of the myth in 19th century. Since then, the myth has been re/mis/used in all important moments of Serbian political and cultural history. Music has a significant role in the construction as well as reconstructions of the myth.