Lieux de memoire and collective identities in Central Europe: The case of Devín/Theben/Dévény Castle

The paper discusses the significance of Devín Castle for the collective memory of different ethnic groups/ nations – the Hungarians, the Germans/Austrians, the Slovaks and the Czechs in the 19th and 20th centuries. It studies the construction of collective (national) identities in Central Europe, in the multiethnic and multicultural environment, where enforcing the principles of nation states and of the political and/or cultural concept of nation clashed against problems. The author argues that the same place could serve for several lieux de mémoire of different groups, but these groups wanted to occupy the place themselves and if possible only for themselves. The second outline in the paper is the question of frontiers. Devín is discussed as an important point on the state border, a symbol, where one can symbolically or in reality erect, gain, win or loose the frontiers. The other assumption lies in the importance of the border as a mainly imagined and constructed demarcation, which serves as group self-determination and at the same time works as a defining element and assists separation from the other group. Collective identity is born and maintained by comparing with other identity/identities, it is based on the separation and isolation from the others. The paper follows the birth of monument at the beginning of the 19th century, continues with the construction of lieux de mémoire, changes of the meaning and significance of the place in the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century.