A national discovery and loss of a landscape – photographic images of the Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit, a historic and culturally significant landscape divided between Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia), has been transformed from a symbol of national discovery to one of loss in collective memory. This shift is evident through photographic representations in popular Bildbände (photographic books) from 1930s to 1960s, which captured the landscape's iconic status during its heyday as part of East Prussia. The study reveals how these visual and textual depictions shaped perceptions, ultimately framing the region as a lost territory in post-World War II narratives. By analyzing archival photographic materials, the research explores the evolution of this landscape's imagery, highlighting its enduring cultural significance despite geopolitical changes.

Pluharova-Grigiene, E. (2015). A national discovery and loss of a landscape – photographic images of the Curonian Spit. National Identities, 18(2), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/14608944.2014.995157