In the aggressive dominance of critical rational thinking over the mythical
worldview, myth as a historical and effective force does not lose its
actuality and importance, because myths often hide deeper messages than what
history can offer. In such a social context, the significance of the
spiritual message of the Kosovo myth - the commitment to the Heavenly
Kingdom, as a lasting common value of the Serbian people, returns as a
theme. In spite of its omnipresence, the opinion prevails that the myth
belongs to the past, and if it is not yet obsolete, it certainly should be.
The authors advocate the idea that myth, as a comprehensive experience of
the world, and therefore the Kosovo myth as well, is a factor of national
integration, a part of collective identity, and a common value system.
Analysing the secular and spiritual understanding of the Kosovo myth, the
authors point out the importance of the vivid memory of the prince Lazar?s
commitment to the Heavenly Kingdom. For Christians, this represents the
value and goal above all others and it forms the core of the Serbian
historical consciousness and spiritual community. The paper shows that the
spiritual message of the Kosovo myth is not understood or it is
misunderstood nowadays, since the commitment to Kosovo is perceived as a
call and an obligation to die for it. The authors conclude that the Kosovo
myth is not a call to die in the war, on the contrary, it is a struggle for
external and internal freedom, as well as for the highest values that are
implied by the definition of the Heavenly Kingdom ? peace, love, honour,
justice, dignity, and others.
Illuminating Vestige: Amateur Archaeology and the Emergence of Historical Consciousness in Rural France