Models of state spectacle in Yugoslavia: The first conference of the non-aligned movement

Abstract

With the emergence of Yugoslavia, a new socialist state, political events and celebrations came to the fore in the repertoire of mass events. The spectacle was supported by the ideological cultural policy with the aim of creating a socialist identity of the city and the state. In that sense, as a predetermined act, the spectacle necessarily influenced the formation and appropriation of public space. Since spectacles were an important element of strengthening the new order of socioeconomic relations, the politics directly controlled their programmes, strategic aims, and tasks. Thus, the beginning of the sixties of the previous century, the approach to the spectacle reflected the strategic state determinations, but also changed depending on the internal circumstances and foreign policy. Analysing the spaces and symbols of state spectacle at the first Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the paper aims to explain the method of their incorporation into the social reality of Yugoslavia, their impact on the affirmation of space, i.e. both ephemeral and permanent changes of architectural and urban space. The paper will analyse the central spaces of the Conference, symbols, models of architectural mobilisation, and the ideologisation, and politicisation of events that influenced the affirmation of public spaces and buildings of Belgrade and its presentation to the world.