Das ›Goldene Zeitalter‹ im modernen Spanien. Zur Wirkmächtigkeit und Problematik eines kulturellen und literarischen Kanons

Speaking of a ‚Golden Age‘ or a Siglo de Oro while referring to Spanish History, Culture and Literature transforms an ancient myth into a historiographical concept, which seems rather problematical, even contradictory and at the same time, seen in a wider European context, exceptional. Nevertheless, the Siglo de Oro is still being used as a key term in contemporary academic works ‒ inside and outside Spain ‒ on the Early Modern period, but also as a highly controversial idea in political and ideological debates, especially on behalf of what may or may not be Spanish identity. This article seeks to give a brief overview of the discussions that try to define the Siglo de oro-concept and present the literary canon as well as the ideological implications linked to it. Starting in the aftermath of the epoch itself, that means the 18th century, it focuses on the convergence of political and esthetical discussions that oppose the ‘Two Spains’ during the 20th century on behalf of how to choose and interpret their ‘classics’. Finally, it tries to give a (necessarily incomplete) view on the actual situation, where the Golden Age myth still interferes not only in literary, but also socio-political debates.