Scientific research among the people and in the (urban) field: Ethnology of the city in the institute of ethnography and in Serbia during socialism

This paper discusses questions of ethnological research in cities and urban topics in Serbian ethnology from the end of the World War II until the end of the socialist era. Inquiry focuses on theoretical and methodological standpoints implemented in urban research, which segments of culture and everyday life in the cities were most prominent in research at the time, and in what cities field research had been taking place. Paper primarily addresses ethnological research in urban areas undertaken at the Institute of Ethnography SASA in socialist times, whilst these insights could prove relevant for interpretation of wider paradigmatic and thematic shifts in Serbian ethnology/anthropology. Explanation is based on published and unpublished sources (from the documentation and archives of the Institute of Ethnography).