Wieczny powrót Kurenta w kulturze i literaturze słoweńskiej
The eternal return of the Kurent in Slovenian culture and literature

Reminiscences

Author(s): Marlena Gruda
Subject(s): Cultural history, Culture and social structure
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Kurent; mythical symbol; mnemotopos; cultural memory; folklore
Summary/Abstract: The Kurent, a figure widely recognized (predominantly in the Pannonian-Alpine region) as a carnival costume, plays a special role in the collective Slovenian memory. Alongside Lepa Vida, Peter Klepec and Kralj Matjaž, it is a symbol of Slovenianness (A. Ocvirk), and thus a source of inspiration for a number of artists. In their interpretations, they return to folk culture, enter into a dialogue with its various readings, or undertake remediatory interventions. The aim of this article is to explore the figure of the Kurent and various forms of its representation in contemporary ceremonial and literary contexts (in the works of M. Mihelič, I. Cankar, I. Torkar, A. Ingolič, F. Kosmač, F. Rudolf, F. Forstnerič). The article also aims to determine the Kurent’s place in Slovenian cultural memory.

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