Ceauşescu, Dracula und Waisenhäuser? Einblicke in das Image Rumäniens in Deutschland
Ceauseşcu, Dracula and Orphanages? Insights into Rumania’s Image in Germany

Summary/Abstract: In the article, the German people’s image of Romania is explored. In the first part the development and change of this image during the past 100 years is analyzed. The once positive German image of Romania has dramatically declined since World War I. After 1990, as the direct contact between West-Germans and Romanians increased visibly, the image once again worsened. In the second part, the results of an empirical study with 70 participants from the Western German city of Münster regarding their cognitive, emotional and procedural image of Romania are presented. The main conclusion of the interviews was that these Germans have a rather negative emotional image. At the same time, they were not able to quote any facts or figures that could prove or undermine their personal impression. Definite sources of this image could not be identified. It was striking, however, that the interview-partners knew more about historical and past incidents than about the current development of Romania. After that, the probable effects of such an image are described, as well as the possibilities and difficulties Romania will have in trying to change this image. Finally, the government’s plans to improve the image of Romania are discussed.

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