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The Fanzine as a Historical Source for Research on Recent History

Publication at Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Arts |
2020

Abstract

This study provides a critical introduction into and overview of the state of research on subcultures in both the international and Czech and Slovak contexts. At the same time, it presents a seldom-used historical source fanzines - specific in their formation out of resistance to modern institutions, which excludes them from the scope of activity of standard archival practices.

Therefore, fanzines have the potential to provide information, which may not be captured in standard sources, and thus contribute to the writing of the "history from below". As alternative media, fanzines offer, in the first place, an insight into the opinions of their creators and reflect events within certain communities, scenes, or subcultures.

But at the same time, they serve as a relevant testimony to the societal, political, and cultural life and institutions of the time.