Declan Da Barp: Master of Arts, European, Russian and Eurasian Studies
A lifelong soccer fan, Declan Da Barp was always intrigued by Ultras, the often far-right groups that support Italian football clubs.聽
“I first became aware of the Ultras through general soccer fandom. They are a group that, despite their desire for anonymity, have a pronounced and often mythologized [role] within the stadium,” says Da Barp, who first reported on the the way Ultras were mythologized during the Croation war of independence as a journalism undergraduate.
His master鈥檚 degree in the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies enabled him to gain even greater expertise on the subject, delving聽into the history of the groups that emerged from the postwar boom in Italy.聽
鈥淭he war really changes Italy and the stadium becomes a hub of community for internal migrants,鈥 says Da Barp. 鈥淭hey guide not just the activities on a given Saturday or Sunday, but they take over people鈥檚 lives. They create bars and community centres and newspapers.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Da Barp says these organizations are attractive to disaffected young people in Italy.
鈥淵oung people are growing up in an age where there’s less opportunity, less unionization, and a push for a better life,鈥 he explains.
Learn more about Declan Da Barp鈥檚 research in the video 鈥.鈥&苍产蝉辫;