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.
“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’s degree in the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies enabled him to gain even greater expertise on the subject, delving into the history of the groups that emerged from the postwar boom in Italy.
“The war really changes Italy and the stadium becomes a hub of community for internal migrants,” says Da Barp. “They guide not just the activities on a given Saturday or Sunday, but they take over people’s lives. They create bars and community centres and newspapers.”
Da Barp says these organizations are attractive to disaffected young people in Italy.
“Young people are growing up in an age where there’s less opportunity, less unionization, and a push for a better life,” he explains.
Learn more about Declan Da Barp’s research in the video “From Stadiums to the Streets: Football and Fascism in Modern Italy.”