Mythologization of Landscape as a Factor of National Self-Education in the First Half of the 20th Century. The Case of East Prussia

The article analyses the formation of mental links between the population of East Prussia and the naturaland cultural landscape of the said German province after World War I. By interpreting landscape as animaginary space whose symbols may impact identity, the author analyzes several ways of nationalizationof the East Prussian landscape. They include: studies of the homeland newly defined by the VersaillesPeace Treaty at school and in daily life; popularization of tours for youth of the pre-promoted places ofthe province; organized care of wartime military cemeteries moderately integrated into the landscape; theconstruction of the Tannenberg memorial complex and giving meanings to it; and reconstruction of wardevastatedcities and towns of East Prussia. The article demonstrates that the creation of meaningful linksbetween the German population, the homeland (East Prussia), the elements of its natural and culturallandscape, and the Fatherland (Germany) formed a unique perception of the region which was primarilyrelated to its meaning of a German outpost in the East.KEY WORDS: East Prussia, regional identity, natural and cultural landscape, youth tours, outpost, World War I. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/ahuk.v24i0.28