STAR PRIMA DONNAS AS LIEUX DE MÉMOIRE AT HOME AND ABROAD

This paper examines the changing cultural meanings attached to three Hungarian prima donnas: Sári Fedák, Marika Rökk, and Franciska Gaál. All of them were locally and internationally recognized and reached the status of cultural icons during their long careers. Due to their charismatic personality and “eternal youth,” legendary prima donnas carried particular meanings and sometime became contested elements of cultural memory in changing socio-cultural contexts. Given their nationalized icon status, their stage appearances abroad often inspired politicized interpretations or had political consequences.