Necro-Semiotics

Abstract

My presentation deals with announcements of death and funerals distributed all over Bulgarian locations. For instance, they are situated on trees, lampposts, doors, kiosks or benches and foreigners often ask why there are so many postings for wanted criminals — because they look like such postings because necrologies contain photographs of the deceased, as well as his name, year and place of birth and death. The main purpose of these announcements is overruled and they are the place for poetry, images and the most incredible decorations — flowers, saints, etc. On the other hand, Bulgarian necrology is the most free place for expression. One can do it by oneself, print and announcement and distribute it across the city. So, in a certain sense, in this kind of necrology, we may find a conflict between formal an informal discourse. The effects of this conflict will be analyzed in the presentation