Being an Ethnomusicologist

This edition traces the life and work of Svanibor Pettan over the decades of his exceptionally rich and diverse career. Special attention is given to his “multiple identities” and his ability to build networks, which have shaped his contributions to ethnomusicology on a global scale. His research encompasses topics such as music in wartime, music and gender, music of minorities, applied ethnomusicology, and the institutional histories of ethnomusicology, covering areas from Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, and Egypt to Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA.

The book includes anecdotes and personal stories that enrich the text, making it more accessible and engaging. Pettan’s “multiple identities” and the application of ethnomusicology beyond the academic community are evident in his ability to connect and foster “intentional interventions”, not only in scholarly work but also in everyday life.

In this edition, Pettan’s research journeys are accompanied by photographs from private albums and audio recordings illustrating the diversity of his interests. Selected recordings—whether intentional or accidental—testify to the richness of musical traditions Pettan encountered. The quality of the recordings reflects the dynamics of technological advances in the years they were made, while the selection provides insights into the author’s diverse research priorities.