“Like a noble knight” – “like Caesar” – “like Dante”: referencing a famous heroic role model (prefiguration) can help in justifying or intensifying heroisation – even if no heroic deed is vouched for at all. In such cases in particular, the idolised person must constantly present themselves as extraordinary and mysterious. The admirers actively contribute to this mystification. In turn, their self-awareness is constituted by the idea that the greatness of the admired person is also manifested in themselves.

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Fictional heroes may trigger such strong emotions that the audience immediately models themselves on them. In extreme cases, this can result in a revolution as was the case in Brussels in August 1830.

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“Heroes of Labour” are typically associated with the establishment of socialist societies. They are characterised by an overfulfilment of work norms and are strategically utilised by the state to encourage ideal behaviour from its members in the interest of the community and to make it commonplace. In principle, labour heroism is achievable for everyone. Honouring individuals or groups is intended as a motivation for all. The concept of labour heroism explicitly included women as well. It changed social hierarchies and offered opportunities for advancement.

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Heroes are not only crisis markers but can also be indicators of progress. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States of America were in a competition to conquer space exploration. This competition was associated on both sides with state-controlled heroisations that left nothing to chance. The heroes of space flight were to demonstrate the superiority of the respective socio-political system. They had no or hardly any agency but were all the more effective as role models. The Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (born in 1937) was positively cast for her heroic role as the first woman in space. The most important job requirements were qualifications that are inconsequential for space flight: her origin, an impeccable socialist biography and her charismatic personality.

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