Alsatians

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Alsatians

a nationality comprising the inhabitants of Alsace; a French national minority. According to a 1975 estimate, the Alsatians number 1,400,000. Their literary languages are French and German. About three-fourths of religious believers are Roman Catholics; the rest are Lutherans and Calvinists.

The Alsatians developed from Celtic tribes influenced by the Germans, especially the Alamanni. Their ethnographic uniqueness is explained by their location on the border between France and Germany, to both of which they have belonged in the course of history. The democratic principles of the French Revolution played a decisive role in the formation of the Alsatian ethnic consciousness. From 1871 to 1918, when Alsace belonged to Germany, the Alsatians resisted enforced germanization; from 1940 to 1945 they joined with the French in their struggle against the fascist German invaders.

The Alsatians have preserved their traditional culture, including its folklore and festivals at which national costumes and dances are demonstrated. About 50 percent of the Alsatians are employed in various industries, and about 11 percent in agriculture.

REFERENCE

Narody zarubezhnoi Evropy, vol. 2. Moscow, 1965.

References in periodicals archive ?

Prosecutor Julia Galston read statements relating to two earlier incidents, one in 2014 and the other in 2015, in which the alsatians had bitten dogs.

Alsatians must be put down after 3rd attack; OWNER OF SAVAGED JACK RUSSELL TELLS COURT OF HORRIFIC INCIDENT IN STREET

A combination of pub, cafe, and bistro, they are small, typically family-owned, and serve local comfort food, from sausages to seafood to tarte flambee (an Alsatian pizza made with cream instead of cheese).

Appetizing Alsace: this picturesque French region abounds with opportunities to eat and drink

The name Alsatian stuck as the word 'German' had a negative connotation.

Pen points

Under the Nazis, 140,000 Alsatians were conscripted into the Wehrmacht.

Caught in the crossfire: as the Maginot Line celebrates its 70th anniversary, John Gimlette travels to Alsace-Lorraine to discover a region that's often been at the very hub of European warfare

A spokesman for Pershore Police said: "We are investigating these incidents along with a report that two Alsatians and a Rottweiler were seen loose at Peopleton Rough on March 7.

Owners warned pets may be shot after farm livestock attacks

After all, the Alsatians have been working with Pinot Gris for more than 400 years, which is a solid track record, so I wanted to discover what they had to offer to today's growing throng of Pinot Gris drinkers.

What is "Alsatian-style" Pinot Gris?

Oppressed by each side in turn, it is no wonder that Alsatians sought refuge in a fierce loyalty to their native towns or villages, a loyalty which transcended that owed to their province.

Two fingers up to the French

In my experience, most of the dog bites received in the line of duty are by small terrier-type dogs and not by Dobermans or Alsatians.

Mail box: Dogged

It's not only the Corsicans who want to know whether French democracy means more than the rule of the majority: the Basques, the Bretons, the Alsatians and many more could pose the same question.

Ear to the ground

DISGUSTED breeders are refusing to supply police forces with Alsatians in protest at the brutal training methods

Outraged breeders in forces boycott protest

TWO alsatians savaged 12 sheep in a brutal attack that ended when a police marksman shot one of the dogs.

MASSACRE; Sheep dead as dogs go on killing spree

A JOBLESS funfair worker was savaged to death as he tried to stop his friend's alsatians fighting.