Argentine Identity as Patchwork. Cultivating Volga German Heritage in the Entre Ríos Province

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 One Village, Several Identities

1.2 Hybridity: Widely Used, Strongly Criticised

1.3 Weaving Patchwork Identity

1.4 The Volga German Argentines: A Case Study

Chapter Two: Patchwork Identity in Performance

2.1 Festivals in Entre Ríos: Tractors, Gaucho Competitions and Polka Dancing

2.2 Reenactment of the Past: Arrival to the Promised Land

2.3 The Sound of the “Volga Universe”: Volksmusik Meets Chamarrita

2.4 Rituals of Semana Santa: German Litanies and Russian Bread

Chapter Three: Discussion

3.1 Of Rusos and Negros: Limitations to Patchwork Identity

3.2 Patchwork Identity: Characteristic of Argentine Society?

3.3 Two Opposed Latin American Practices: Patchwork vs Mestizaje

Chapter Four: Conclusion

Research Objectives & Themes

This thesis examines how Volga German descendants in Argentina construct their identities by integrating ancestral cultural heritage into an Argentine context. It argues that existing theories of hybridity, which presuppose a coloniser/colonised binary, are insufficient for this case, and introduces the concept of "patchwork identity" to explain how individuals actively perform and modify their cultural attachments.

• The construction of identity through performative acts like dance, theatre, and music.
• The role of collective trauma and history in shaping cultural affiliations.
• The limitations of identity construction due to societal segregation and internal discrimination.
• A comparison between the Argentine "patchwork" model and the state-imposed "mestizaje" ideology in other Latin American countries.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter provides the theoretical foundation by examining existing hybridity theories and introducing "patchwork identity" as a more suitable framework for analyzing the Volga German descendants in Argentina.

Chapter Two: Patchwork Identity in Performance: This chapter analyzes how Volga German heritage is expressed and maintained through public performances, including festivals, traditional dance, theatrical reenactments of migration, and radio programming.

Chapter Three: Discussion: This chapter explores the social and political limitations of patchwork identity, including instances of segregation and discrimination, and compares the Argentine model of patchwork identity to the state-imposed ideology of mestizaje found elsewhere in Latin America.

Chapter Four: Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the research findings, reaffirming that patchwork identity is a process of conscious individual choice that is central to the identity construction of Argentines with a migrant history.

Keywords

Argentina, Volga Germans, Patchwork Identity, Hybridity, Performance, Cultural Heritage, Migration, Mestizaje, Rituals, Identity Construction, Diaspora, Entre Ríos, Assimilation, Social Boundaries, Collective Trauma

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The dissertation investigates how descendants of Volga German immigrants in the Entre Ríos province of Argentina construct their identities through cultural performances and rituals.

What are the key themes explored in this work?

Central themes include the performance of cultural heritage (dance, music, theatre), the role of shared historical trauma, the negotiation between ancestral and Argentine identities, and the concept of identity as a selective "patchwork" rather than a fixed hybridity.

What is the main research question or goal?

The goal is to demonstrate that standard postcolonial theories of hybridity—often based on a coloniser/colonised binary—do not fit the Argentine context, and to propose "patchwork identity" as a more accurate framework for understanding how individuals actively create their identity.

Which scientific methods are employed?

The author utilized qualitative fieldwork, conducting twelve interviews with Volga German descendants of various ages in the villages of Aldea Santa María and Aldea Protestante, supplemented by an analysis of cultural events and local media.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The main body examines empirical evidence from fieldwork, including the observation of festivals, reenactments of the migration process, religious rituals during Holy Week, and a comparative discussion regarding the societal limitations of these identities versus the ideology of mestizaje.

Which keywords best characterize this research?

Argentina, Volga Germans, Patchwork Identity, Hybridity, Performance, Cultural Heritage, Migration, and Mestizaje are among the most significant terms.

How does the concept of "patchwork identity" differ from traditional hybridity?

Unlike traditional hybridity, which is often theorized as a mandatory mixing imposed by colonial power dynamics, "patchwork identity" emphasizes the individual's agency in actively choosing, performing, and modifying specific cultural "patches" to fit their present life circumstances.

Why did the author focus specifically on the Volga German communities in Entre Ríos?

The author chose this community because it is a significant but under-researched ethnic group in Argentina that maintains a strong, distinct ancestral culture while being fully integrated into the broader Argentine society, providing an ideal case for the proposed theoretical model.

What role does performance play in this identity construction?

Performance serves as the primary site where the Volga German identity is publicly displayed and negotiated. Through dance, theatre, and rituals, these communities transform their past experiences into a living, present-day culture, allowing for the reinterpretation of their heritage.