The day of German unity 1990-2005 : redefining the past, present and future

This IS is an original study analysing the staging of the German national holiday - the Day of German Unity - commemorating the accession of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany on 3rd October 1990. By examining the mise-en-scene and rhetoric of the unity commemorations, it highlights the way in which political actors attempted to redefme ideas about united Germany's past, present and future from 1990 to 2005. Adopting the innovative approach ot the cultural history ot poUtics - which understands representations such as national holidays as key mechanisms that not only reflect but also have the potential to influence agendas and discourses - the thesis is based on extensive research of German, French and British newspaper articles, televised reporting, speeches, organisational documents, Bundestag debates and structured interviews with Day of Unity organisers.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo