which countries you consider most and least "Balkan" discussion thread.

[Jana]

Enjoy!

A place for discussion for all things controversial, and...taboo. I got really irritated by some recent bait threads as most know but realized we need big open discussion thread about Balkan.
It's a controversial term. What is Balkan for you, how is it defined?

Geography?
History?
Economy?
Genetics?
Phenotype?
Religion?
Culture and mentality?
Architecture, cusine?
Stereotypes?
Geopolitics?

Is is synonomous with southeastern Europe? What's core Balkan, what's periphery? I obviously have my opinion on this. But it's really complex topic. Becaue region itself is more diverse and heterogenous than any other in Europe, by far. Making a poll where you can select Balkan-esque countries from options offered, and explain your view on things.

Discussion on the matter never gets old as there are many different takes on it and all are possibly (part) true (or not).

[Renekton]

Most:Serbia and Boznia least Slovenia and Moldova.

[kingmob]

Most: Albanian-Serbian-Bulgarian belt (the three dominant ethnic groups of the Balkan area).

Least: Greece and Turkey, due to heavy orientalization/eastern influence on culture/civ, and Croatia and Slovenia for the opposite reason (western influence).

[Jana]

If I would chose single country for both it would be

Most: north Macedonia
Least: Slovenia

I also changed my opinion about Turkey. Never been there but it seems lot more Balkanic than I tought even in deep Anatolia. Some random central Anatolian city looks more Balkanic than MENA, people too tbh.
Historically and in many other ways there are other obvious links ofc.

[Incal]

To me it's Geography + Iron Curtain.

[Dušan]

All from list except Austria, Hungary and Turkey.

[Demirkazık]

All from list except Austria, Hungary and Turkey.

I don't think Slovenes are from the Balkans or want to be associated with the Balkans since they get mad at you when you say they are part of the Balkans. I also somewhat agree on the Turkey part if we include all of Turkey.

[Jana]

I don't think Slovenes are from the Balkans or want to be associated with the Balkans since they get mad at you when you say they are part of the Balkans. I also somewhat agree on the Turkey part if we include all of Turkey.

Nobody likes to be associated with the Balkans, especially people from countries that are Balkan periphery. It has derogative conotations.
Maybe Turks are exception because Balkans still has better reputation than middle east at least.

[Aldaris]

My personal definition. When I heard the word Balkans, I think about South Slavic speaking countries plus Albania, Kosovo and Romania. The least Balkan countries would be Slovenia and Romania.

When you ask a Czech about Slovenia, the first response you get is 'you mean Slovakia, right?' When you clarify that you don't, the second response would be something like 'oh, you mean those Slavic speaking Austrians'. I know it sounds dumb, but most of Czechs are kind of like Americans when it comes to geography.

And Romania is often put in the same category with Ukraine, Russia, Belarus etc. Half of the Czechs believe they speak Russian in there. And, when you speak of Basque country.. you can imagine. 9/10 Czechs don't know what are you talking about and the 1/10 are like 'Oh yeah, the terrorists! Heard about them before'.

[Jana]

To me it's Geography + Iron Curtain.

Than only Romania (if even), Bulgaria and Albania are Balkans for you?