A Grendel-opus utóélete
The Afterlife of Grendel’s Oeuvre

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the posthumous reception of Lajos Grendel’s literary oeuvre, as well as the processes of memory formation and cult formation associated with it. Grendel became a cult figure even during his lifetime, a status founded on three factors: his literary canonization, his involvement in public life, and his role as a mentor. His work garnered significant recognition in the Hungarian, Slovak, and, to some extent, international literary spheres, while also building bridges between different cultures. The public role he assumed during the transition to democracy further strengthened his social prestige, as did his role in supporting young writers. This study examines the various strategies for preserving his literary legacy, ranging from book publishing to academic conferences, fine art exhibitions, and events promoting literature, culminating in the opening of the Grendel Memorial Room. The study found that commemorative practices centered on his body of work are organized by multiple institutions and communities, operating continuously, though with varying intensity. All of this demonstrates that Lajos Grendel’s works and persona continue to serve as an important reference point in Slovakian Hungarian cultural memory and literary self-interpretation.

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