Scholarly Commons

My Grandfather Was Alsatian, So I Guess I Am Too? Stories from Strasbourg, France, on Alsatian Identity

While I was on my semester-long GO program, I interviewed individuals in Strasbourg, France, on Alsatian identity, because Alsace is historically the region in which Strasbourg exists. Alsatian culture grew strong regional uniqueness during war, as the region was alternatively French and German four times in just 30 years. They developed their own identity due to the precarious nature of their national identity. Since 1945, however, Alsace has been happily French. Most descendants today do not speak the Alsatian dialect and consider their nationality French. While in Strasbourg, though, I noticed that “Alsatianness” still exists. Looking at opinions of interviewed informants, literature, and observations of tourist activity in Strasbourg, I explore what it means to be Alsatian today with a particular focus on individuals’ heritage as well as tourism.