Entre folklore et politique l'invention de l'imprimerie dans le discours nationaliste et colonial aux Pays-Bas

In this paper, the author discusses the national interest behind the invention of printing in the Netherlands. The historical truth of Gutenberg’s invention was disputed in the Netherlands. People were convinced that it was the Dutchman Laurens Janszoon Coster who had invented the tech-nique. In the 19th century, this belief extended as far as Indonesia, which was a Dutch colony at the time. In reality, the name Coster served only to reinforce the national consciousness and underline the greatness of the small Netherlands. This belief persisted for a long time. Statues of Coster can still be seen in Haarlem, although today they are regarded mainly as folklore. In Indonesia, his name and fame have been erased.