Using the example of the former multilingual region of Kočevska (Gottschee) in south- eastern Slovenia, this thesis examines the differences and similarities in the attitude towards and use of cultural heritage (or heritagization) during two historical-political turning points: the period after the First World War and after Slovenia's independence in 1991. The study focuses in particular on the use of cultural heritage in the creation of national identity and as an instrument for national differentiation of the "German" minority in Kočevska. The first period is illustrated by an analysis of the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the settlement of the Kočevska region in 1930, with which, as well as with the simultaneous establishment of the first museum of regional history, heritagization in the Kočevska region reached its peak. The second period is characterized by a heritagization activity similar in structure and scope, the Days of Gottscheer Culture, which have been held regularly in the municipalities of Dolenjske Toplice, Semič and Kočevje since 2014. The study shows that despite the distance in time and the different political circumstances between the two events, there are similarities in the way the cultural heritage is (was) presented, how the Gottscheer community presents itself to the outside world and what motives there are to show their cultural characteristics. The author also reflects on the role of the experts and her own role in the processes of heritagization.
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