In my thesis I focus on Slovenian literature during the Enlightenment, a time when national consciousness began to strengthen among Slovenians. This shift is also reflected in literature, which no longer limits itself to religious themes but extends into broader public life. One of the central topics of my research is the culture of food and its significance for Slovenians, with a particular emphasis on the work of Valentin Vodnik and his Kuharske bukve (Cookbooks), which were not only a household manual but also an important cultural contribution. My primary interest is the role food played in the literature of this time, especially in relation to the works of Vodnik and Linhart.
The first part of the thesis provides a cultural-historical overview of the Enlightenment and its influence on Slovenian literature. It discusses key literary developments and the authors of this period and explore the role of Vodnik’s Kuharske bukve in examining the significance of food in literary works. The second part of the thesis is thematically focused. It defines the concept of food in literature and explores its significance in Slovenian literary works from 1780 to 1830. I analyze works from the poetry anthology ''Pisanice'', as well as the works of Vodnik and Linhart, investigating how food appears, its role, and its importance for Slovenian national consciousness.
Food serves as a fundamental indicator of national identity. Thus, this thesis explores how food motifs in literature reflect the growing awareness of Slovenian nationality during the Enlightenment, their status in literature, and whether food can be seen as a form of self-identification for Slovenians throughout history.
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