Motherland Crucified: The Image Of Country And Collective Memory In Hungary Cover Image

Matka Węgry ukrzyżowana: Obraz kraju i pamięć zbiorowa na Węgrzech
Motherland Crucified: The Image Of Country And Collective Memory In Hungary

Author(s): Eric Beckett Weaver
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Hungary - irredentism; motherland; iconography;

Summary/Abstract: The use of the Christian symbolism of crucifixion is hardly exceptional to post-Trianon Hungarian irredentist imagery, for it is common to self-pitying nationalist imagery in much of the Christian world. However, Hungary’s unique historical development made the crucifixion of a male figure less evocative to Hungarian irredentist image makers. Though tradition called for gender-neutral or female representations of Hungary, Hungarian nationalists still felt compelled to evoke the Passion of Christ while simultaneously stressing the Mary-like nature of the country. They created a powerful, if heretical set of imagery placing the motherland in the role of Christ. This imagery continues to be evoked in Hungarian nationalist discourse today.

  • Issue Year: 2005
  • Issue No: 27
  • Page Range: 23-39
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Polish
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