romantiseerimine

Romantiseerimine is a cognitive and cultural process in which a person, culture, or phenomenon is presented or perceived in an idealized, romanticized, or sentimental way. It emphasizes beauty, adventure, emotion, and noble motives while downplaying flaws, harm, or complexity. The term is used across disciplines such as literature, history, media studies, and cultural critique to describe how representations shape understanding and attitudes.

Etymology and form: the word is Finnish, built from romanttinen (romantic) and the suffix -iseerimine, which denotes a process or activity. In usage, it can refer to both consciously deliberate depictions and more unconscious interpretive bias.

Contexts and mechanisms: romantiseerimine operates in literature, film, journalism, tourism marketing, and public discourse. Mechanisms include selective imagery, myth-making, nostalgic framing, metaphorical language, and the elevation of particular values (courage, freedom, innocence) while omitting negatives or mundane realities. It often intersects with nationalism, cultural identity, and memory politics, shaping how past events or distant places are understood.

Implications and critique: while romanticization can foster empathy, inspiration, or cultural cohesion, it can also distort reality, obscure abuse or oppression, and perpetuate stereotypes. Critics argue that it simplifies history, legitimizes problematic actions, or masks power relations behind idealized narratives. In research, romantiseerimine is analyzed to uncover how discourse constructs social meaning and influences behavior.

See also: idealization, nostalgia, mythmaking, propaganda, media representation, discourse analysis.