Preface: The Narrative Identity of European Cities in Contemporary Literature

Abstract

This issue of the Journal of Narrative and Language Studies: On the Narrative Identity of European Cities in Contemporary Literature, besides the editorial cooperation between Working Group 2 members, reverberates with our action themes and concerns. In addition to focusing on mid-size European cities, its content also conjures up the hypothetical incidence of the centre as an idea, even in peripheral realities. Reading the articles, although not surprising under the current world state of affairs, we acknowledge the presence and dominance of the socio-politics over other dimensions. The narratives studied and presented here are no love stories or comic reliefs. Nonetheless, they give us a critical, sharp and relevant reading on the value of local urban narratives and further developments.