“Heroes” and “the people” in Eastern Europe
A rapprochement
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
“Heroes” are an aid to orientation and identification. They express desires and aspirations of the “people” who define themselves according to them. At the same time, depending on circumstances and interests, they are constructed in different ways for the collective memory in order to influence individual behaviour. The connection between “hero” and “the people” is linked to freedom, hope and remembering. In Eastern Europe the frequent popularity of failed, suffering and yet proud “heroes” is particularly noticeable.
(Osteuropa 12/2007, pp. 5–16)