Preserving the (Cultural) Identity through Diet and Customs

This paper focuses on the experiences of post-war Austrian female migrants in Britain and the impact migration and resettlement had on their self-perception as Austrian women in Britain. The women migrants’ perception of particularly their cultural identity will be explored by drawing on information gathered from personal interviews conducted with fifty Austrian women who came to Britain between 1945 and 1960. After providing an overview on the different ways these female migrants preserved their Austrian roots through language, cultural symbols and visits to and from the home country, specific emphasis is put on the question to what extent national diet and traditions became an important tool in (re)established their cultural and also national identity in the private sphere. Quotes from the interviews will be demonstrated how the women experienced British food in contrast to Austrian. Furthermore the difficulties European migrants had to find any continental food in post-war Britain will be discussed. But not only food also other items such as Christmas tree decorations had to be imported in order to guarantee that a traditional Austrian Christmas would be celebrated. Despite various obstacles most women seemed to have succeeded in preserving their Austrian (cultural) identity. Furthermore, also the second and third generation has grown up with a certain awareness of their Austrian roots and in some cases continue to nourish their cultural identity by preserving particular Austrian meals or traditional customs such as the celebration of Christmas. Like their Austrian (grand)mothers before they also re-invoke Austrian life at home in the private sphere.