OGAPS Thesis Marianna Tanska-Revisions
THE VOICE OF UKRAINE: MEDIATING NATIONALISM AND COSMOPOLITANISM A Thesis by MARIANNA TANSKA Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Chair of Committee, Leonardo Cardoso Committee Members, David Donkor Martin Regan Patrick Burkart Head of Department, Martin Regan May 2019 Major Subject: Performance Studies Copyright 2019 Marianna Tanska ABSTRACT Popular culture and content of TV broadcasts are strongly related to national identity, and local audiences expectations and tastes. Franchised TV talent shows, such as The Voice, are a significant part of the global TV culture, and when adapted to the local context reflect local viewers’ perception of the self. The Voice in Ukraine attracts the audience with an appealing combination of skilled vocalists as contestants, tasteful musical content masterfully framed in a technically advanced stage set, and commentaries from the most popular celebrities in Ukraine. Additionally, the complex internal relationships within Ukraine, the relations with West (Europe and the US) and East (Russia and other post-Soviet states) create a unique discourse around the contestants of the show. This Thesis investigates how the show, in mediating nationalism and cosmopolitanism, represents the Ukrainian national identity. The study is pertinent because, in Ukraine, the recent tragic events of the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014, the Annexation of Crimea, and the continuing conflict in the eastern part of the country all have stimulated a contested ground for national identity debates. I argue that, for commercial purposes, the show is able to touch on different perspectives about Ukrainian identity by employing symbolism as an appeal to different parts of a multifaceted Ukrainian society.
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