Heritage and national identity: Exploring the relationship in Romania |
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| Authors: | Duncan Light Daniela Dumbraveanu‐Andone |
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| Institution: | 1. Lectures in Geography and Heritage Studies in the Geography Division, Department of Environmental and Biological Studies , Liverpool Hope University College , Hope Park, Liverpool , L16 9JD , UK;2. Lectures in geography in the Department of Human and Economic Geography , University of Bucharest , Catedra de geografie umana li economica, B‐dul Nicolae B?lcescu No. 1, Bucure?ti Sector 1, Cod 70111 , Romania |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Within heritage studies the relationship between national heritage and national identity is frequently taken as axiomatic. The construction of a national heritage is an important part of nation‐building, and historic buildings and monuments can be powerful symbols of a nation's aspirations and identity. Yet this relationship has received relatively little empirical investigation. This paper reports an exploratory study of the heritage/national identity relationship in Romania which focuses on just one Roman monument – Trajan's bridge. For many Romanians the monument is a powerful symbol of their identity representing Dacian and Roman origins, Latinity, and the continuity of Romanian settlement in Transylvania. The monument was also seen by some as an important symbol of Romania's attempt to construct a post‐Communist identity, and to forge closer links with western Europe. However, the meanings of the monument are not shared by all Romanians, and in particular are strongly contested by Romania's Hungarian minority. |
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| Keywords: | Heritage National Identity Romania Trajan's Bridge |
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