Die Konstruktion katalanischer Identität in der Literatur zur 'Guerra d’Àfrica' (1859–1860) und die Wahrnehmung der Katalanen durch deutsche Kriegsberichterstatter

Abstract

Summary: The Spanish-Moroccan War of 1859/60 is of great importance for the development of Catalan identity. During the war an immense amount of patriotic literature in Catalan language was published in Catalonia, in which the authors glorified the deeds of the Catalan general Joan Prim i Prats and the Catalan volunteers who fought in this war. The present article intents to illustrate on the basis of the analysis of poems, theatre plays, a patriotic song and a report written by Catalan authors the importance of the First Spanish-Moroccan War for the development of Catalan identity and to demonstrate that the authors used the literature about the war to diffuse Catalan national myths and symbols and to construct a Catalan national identity. Based on chronicles of German war correspondents the article points out that the military deeds of general Prim and the Catalan volunteers were admired not only in Catalonia and Spain but also in Germany and that the Catalan soldiers achieved to cause Catalan language and culture to become known even in foreign countries. Keywords: Spanish-Moroccan War of 1859/60, construction of Catalan identity, General Prim, battalion of Catalan volunteers, chronicles of German war correspondents