Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe
The aim of this study was to understand the role of viral narratives and the involvement of social media into the invention of tradition. We took as an example the recently highly promoted Ivan-chaj, a tea made from the fermented leaves of willowherb, a plant little known and used in Europe until a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020314766 |
| _version_ | 1818209703395590144 |
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| author | Julia Prakofjewa Raivo Kalle Olga Belichenko Valeria Kolosova Renata Sõukand |
| author_facet | Julia Prakofjewa Raivo Kalle Olga Belichenko Valeria Kolosova Renata Sõukand |
| author_sort | Julia Prakofjewa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study was to understand the role of viral narratives and the involvement of social media into the invention of tradition. We took as an example the recently highly promoted Ivan-chaj, a tea made from the fermented leaves of willowherb, a plant little known and used in Europe until a few years ago. Relying on a wide variety of sources circulating on the Internet (videos, various texts and visuals) and robust empirical field research results, we used mixed methods to analyze this specific case in order to understand if people adopt new teachings and if their acceptance leads to practical output. The results showed that the new teachings spread quickly, supported by narratives based on a wide variety of interaction points that viralized the message, also causing an economic impact. It is clear that the change of status and the economic success that Ivan-chaj now enjoys is due to the virality of the narrative, which has reshaped the image of Ivan-chaj from an “outcast” imitation and tea substitute into the national healthy drink. Having appeared in Russia, mostly as a Russian cultural marker, the narrative went viral and spread beyond its borders where neighbors have tried in turn to embrace Ivan-chaj as their own cultural marker by proclaiming it a local tradition. Indeed, narratives regarding Ivan-chaj spread easily in countries sharing some linguistic, historical and/or cultural elements with Russia (via the nexus of the Soviet Union). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:04:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f9b4e44af2ae453182f794637cbe8b29 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:04:55Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-f9b4e44af2ae453182f794637cbe8b292022-12-22T00:37:08ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402020-08-0168e04632Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern EuropeJulia Prakofjewa0Raivo Kalle1Olga Belichenko2Valeria Kolosova3Renata Sõukand4Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy; Corresponding author.University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, ItalyCa’ Foscari University of Venice, ItalyCa’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy; Institute for Linguistic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, RussiaCa’ Foscari University of Venice, ItalyThe aim of this study was to understand the role of viral narratives and the involvement of social media into the invention of tradition. We took as an example the recently highly promoted Ivan-chaj, a tea made from the fermented leaves of willowherb, a plant little known and used in Europe until a few years ago. Relying on a wide variety of sources circulating on the Internet (videos, various texts and visuals) and robust empirical field research results, we used mixed methods to analyze this specific case in order to understand if people adopt new teachings and if their acceptance leads to practical output. The results showed that the new teachings spread quickly, supported by narratives based on a wide variety of interaction points that viralized the message, also causing an economic impact. It is clear that the change of status and the economic success that Ivan-chaj now enjoys is due to the virality of the narrative, which has reshaped the image of Ivan-chaj from an “outcast” imitation and tea substitute into the national healthy drink. Having appeared in Russia, mostly as a Russian cultural marker, the narrative went viral and spread beyond its borders where neighbors have tried in turn to embrace Ivan-chaj as their own cultural marker by proclaiming it a local tradition. Indeed, narratives regarding Ivan-chaj spread easily in countries sharing some linguistic, historical and/or cultural elements with Russia (via the nexus of the Soviet Union).http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020314766Social mediaViral narrativeYoutubeTwitterInstagramMemes |
| spellingShingle | Julia Prakofjewa Raivo Kalle Olga Belichenko Valeria Kolosova Renata Sõukand Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe Heliyon Social media Viral narrative Youtube Memes |
| title | Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe |
| title_full | Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe |
| title_fullStr | Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe |
| title_short | Re-written narrative: transformation of the image of Ivan-chaj in Eastern Europe |
| title_sort | re written narrative transformation of the image of ivan chaj in eastern europe |
| topic | Social media Viral narrative Youtube Memes |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020314766 |
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