Romanians from Serbia in Denmark

Serbian sports events, or facilitating study visits from the local trade unions
andother political or charity-oriented activities.
It was only in 1998 that these organisations shifted from being Yugoslav
clubs to becoming Serbian associations. The term ‘Danish-Serbian
Association’ serves to underscore the fact that the associations are
subsidised by themunicipality and in principle are open to all. The board
members take pride in narrating how the everyday activities and football
training are attended by Danish members, as this takes away the
‘immigrant’ connotation of the associations. Indeed the name of one of
them is the Danish-Serbian Friendship Association, which stresses the
transnational ethos. In everyday usage, however, the Association is usually
called the ‘Serbian Club’ (or even the Yugoslav Club). Few, if any, non-
Vlach Serbs participate in its social life, and it remains a predominantly
Vlach club engaged in homeland activities.
Women do not use the club on a daily basis, but some of the clubs have
tried to organise so-called Saturday matinées which are more familyoriented,
though these do not seem to have gained much popularity. In fact,
the ordinary users are middle-aged men, who play cards, watch Serbian
television and discuss politics. Theyounger generation show little interest
in keeping up with Serbian politics: ‘To be honest, I’m more interestedin
what is happening in Denmark’, one young man said. Core activities such
as folk dancing tend to lose out, asit has become difficult to motivate either
trainers or children. Compared to earlier periods, the level ofattendance in
ordinary social activities is generally low. Nonetheless, having a club and
receiving municipalsupport retains their importance for the social cohesion
of the group—a place where Vlachs can meet and cultivate their
distinctiveness by speaking their native language(s) and discussing
whatever challenges they, as an ethnic minority, are confronted with—and
is an important identity marker for most Vlach migrants, including those
who only use the club once in a while.
Increasingly, the activities of the clubs revolve around the organisation of
large parties to celebrate events such as Orthodox Christmas, the club’s
anniversary and International Womens Day—a kind of Mothers’ Day on 8
March. These are all official Serbian celebrations whereas Vlach
celebrations such as pomanas or Thunder Day are not held on the club’s
premises. Normally the club’s celebrations attract several hundred people of