A Nation of Provincials: The German Idea of Heimat

Celia Applegate's work explores the cultural meaning of Heimat and its significance to German identity, arguing that it provides a basis for an alternative vision of German unity that emphasizes cultural diversity and local patriotism. She suggests that this attachment to a particular place is a feature of Europeans in general and is deserving of further attention.

Format: Hardback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

At the heart of this groundbreaking work in modern European history stands the German word "Heimat," which encompasses the concept of homeland, the local place. Translations fail to fully capture the profound significance of this term, serving as the emotional and ideological foundation for a diverse range of associations and individuals dedicated to preserving local heritage. In her comprehensive examination, Celia Applegate explores the cultural meaning of "Heimat" at both the national and regional levels, delving into its potential to shape the troubled and highly relevant question of German identity.

The ideas and activities centered around "Heimat" offer a fresh perspective, particularly on issues of modernization. Instead of portraying the Germans as inherently anti-modern, Applegate argues that they employed the cultivation of "Heimat" to ground an abstract nationalism in their attachment to familiar places and to reconcile the modern industrial and urban world with the rural landscapes and customs they admired. Primarily a trait of the middle classes, the love of "Heimat" formed an alternative vision of German unity, diverging from the conventional aggressive and militaristic portrayal. The "Heimat" vision of Germany emphasized cultural diversity and defined German identity by its internal members rather than its external enemies.

Applegate prompts us to re-examine the continuities of German history from the perspective of the local places that formed Germany, rather than relying solely on the insights of prominent intellectuals or national policymakers. The local patriotism of "Heimat" activists emerges as an integral element of German culture that persisted across the significant divisions of 1918, 1933, and 1945. She also suggests that this attachment to a particular place holds significance beyond Germany and deserves further attention within the broader context of European identity.

This title is a part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, dedicated to resurrecting and promoting historically significant works that have been overlooked or marginalized.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520372153