Reflections on Memory in the Works by Oksana Zabuzhko and Dubravka Ugrešić

Abstract

The article is dedicated to a comparative study of reflections on memory in the works by O. Zabuzhko and D. Ugrešić. The purpose of the article is to highlight the differences and similarities in the writers’ interpretations of the post-communist turn in collective memory. The scientific novelty of the article is defined by the fact that it is the first attempt of comparative study of reflections on memory in the works by O. Zabuzhko and D. Ugrešić in Ukrainian literary studies. The novels “The Museum of Abandoned Secrets” by O. Zabuzhko and “The Museum of Unconditional Surrender” serve as the material for the study. The context of the analysis is expanded by looking at the writers' publicist work, namely the collections of essays “Culture of Lies. Antipolitical Essays” by D. Ugrešić and “Chronicles of Fortinbras” by O. Zabuzhko. The main research methods used in the article are the comparative and the cultural historical. Conclusions. The common features of the interpretation of memory issues in the works of the selected authors are their interest in changing the discourse of memory as a result of the fall of communism, their attention to ideological manipulations with collective memory, and a clear opposition between "official history" and private memories. The main differences in the writers' reflections are defined by the fact that D. Ugrešić's criticism is directed primarily against nationalist narratives of the past, while O. Zabuzhko reflects on the tragic consequences of imperial influence on the collective memory and identity of Ukrainians.