Cultural Memory Research Articles

“Much More than a Song”

This article explores the ultimately unsuccessful 1935 campaign by Kentuckian Mary Darby Fitzhugh to erect a national memorial to honor the song “Dixie” and its Ohio-born composer, Daniel Decatur Emmett. Locating Fitzhugh’s campaign in the larger effort by Confederate heritage groups to promote a southern perspective on the Civil War, it examines why and how proponents of the Lost Cause came to embrace both the song “Dixie” and blackface performer Dan Emmett as symbols of sectional reconciliation. The story of the “Dixie” memorial also highlights the work of Confederate heritage groups outside the South and the ways in which their efforts shaped the commemorative culture in Emmett’s hometown of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Communist Prison Camps as Sites of Memory and Legacies of Dissent: Belene and Goli Otok in Bulgarian and Croatian Cultural Memory

This article investigates how two Communist forced labour camps, Belene in Bulgaria and Goli Otok in Croatia, became sites of memory and remain icons of political repression and state-organized torture. The article discusses how the public memory of the two camps has been shaped through vivid depictions in former inmates’ memoirs and in works of fiction. It analyzes recent debates about the preservation and institutionalization of these sites of memory and about what, whom, and how to commemorate. As a further step, it investigates how the camp sites have attracted visitors interested in so-called dark tourism. The article explores the creation of a literary tradition of memory by tracing the writings that have helped to establish Belene and Goli Otok as sites of memory of political repression in Bulgaria and Croatia, and it examines the processes involved in the construction of the physical sites as heritage sites and tourist attractions.

Cultural Memory as Selection of the Past: Practices of Oblivion the Study is Conducted Through the Grant of the Russian Science Foundation (RNF) № 23-28-00698

The article examines the role of oblivion in the phenomenon of cultural memory. An analysis is given of oblivion as a sociocultural practice that can “reconcile” different cultural narratives regarding traumatic events from the country’s past. A theoretical understanding is given to the problem of cultural memory as a selection of the past through oblivion, as one of the ways for transforming cultural memory. The types of oblivion in the context of drastic social transformations of society are highlighted using the example of the Chechen Republic. The authors come to the conclusion that in conditions of fragmentation of the political and cultural space, such a path is an important condition for social stabilization through the creation of a common cultural metanarrative. An institution such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission can serve as a mechanism for eliminating from memory traumatic experiences that threaten to separate the carriers of different narratives.

Postcolonial city walks in Germany at the nexus of activism, education, and tourism

Abstract In various ways, postcolonial initiatives in Germany contribute to the formation of ‘national cultures of remembrance’ and to the debate about Europe’s responsibility for the negative effects of colonial expansion that can still be felt today. One approach, which the activist groups use in their educational and activist work, is that of the guided walking tour – a method that allows them to sensitize an interested audience to colonially contoured spaces in German cities. Interestingly, the postcolonial initiatives do not see themselves as providers of tourist services, even though they use the rather fundamental touristic form of the ‘city walk’. As this discrepancy in perception allows discussions about tourism in a more general, conceptual sense, this paper examines the tours at the nexus of activism, education, and tourism. Thereby, it asks what constitutes the walks and discusses their relation to urban tourism. To do so, the article first explains relevant concepts of tourism geographies and postcolonial studies and then connects them to insights gained from the qualitative and quantitative analysis of empirical data collected in a field phase in Germany in 2022.

How memory embeds in the city: Everyday cultural memory in Kraków, Poland

<b>How memory embeds in the city:</b> Everyday cultural memory in Kraków, Poland

Navigating Cultural Memory: Commemoration and Narrative in Postgenocide Rwanda David Mwambari

<i>Navigating Cultural Memory: Commemoration and Narrative in Postgenocide Rwanda</i> David Mwambari

Architecture as a Mode of Existence. The Hamburg Case of Rebuilding the Bornplatz Synagogue

The filigree ground mosaic is placed at the heart of the Grindel neighbourhood in Hamburg, Germany. Tracing the footprint of the former synagogue that once stood there, proudly, it demarcates an absence. It is a reminder of what the Nazis destroyed and sought to extinguish. The fact that the synagogue will finally be rebuilt, in the same place, with the support of the Federal government and the city, is anything but a matter of course. This will be the first reconstruction project of a synagogue of this size in Germany since the Second World War. Yet the project has been controversial in some respects. The two main concerns expressed in the public debate about the form of reconstruction and whether and how to integrate the Synagogue Monument at first sight appeared to be in irreconcilable competition: the importance of maintaining a culture of remembrance, and the legitimate claim of the Jewish Community to recover and rebuild its former place of worship. This would not merely be, as is often said, a sign of Jewish belonging, of identity and representation, in the urban society. Rather, it is about modes of existence that the architecture itself, in the materiality of its form and its presence, embodies and makes possible. To the people, architecture is what makes the difference. It thus shapes the political landscape.

Exploring Characteristics and Patterns of In Situ Space Morphology: Perspective of the Historical and Cultural Canal Settlement

During the development and evolution of settlements, space morphology created unique local cultural features and played an important role in guiding rural planning in the context of new-type urban development. The in situ characteristics of the space morphology of the ancient historical and cultural towns along the Grand Canal of China reflect the prints of the local culture and history over thousands of years and integrate modern life and the cultural memories of the citizens there. Using Yangliuqing Town, a famous historical and cultural town, as an example, this study quantitatively analyzes the in situ characteristics of the space morphology. It applies the UAV 3D model, POI data, actual site measurements, and other data to establish detailed models of the streets and lanes, quantifies the in situ characteristics of the space morphology of the streets and lanes in terms of space organizational characteristics and VGA manifestation, analyzes the influencing factors of the characteristics of in situ space morphology, and proposes guidelines for renewing ancient towns according to the in situ characteristics of space morphology. The research results indicate that ① multidimensional factors influencing the historical development of the research area have been clarified for the three aspects of its status as a canal transport hub, canal settlement industries, and traditional residential courtyards in ancient towns; ② the in situ space morphology of the streets in Yangliuqing Town is reflected in three aspects such as the core guiding and control of historical and cultural resources, the inherent influence of space element layout, and the attractiveness of street space; ③ it extracts the guidelines for the renewal of the ancient towns in terms of the space morphology strategy, the environmental element strategy, the interface attribute strategy, and the business attribute strategy. The research methods and conclusions boast great significance for clarifying the characteristics of the space morphology of the ancient towns along the Grand Canal and improving the practice of preservation there.

Mostar in Jasmina Musabegović's Novels

This paper presents the thematologic interpretation of three novels written by Jasmina Musabegović, Skretnice, Most, and Žene, glasovi, highlighting Mostar as the author's continuous motif. The theoretical starting points are the acquisitions of the post-structural spatial turn, constructivism, women's writing, cultural memory, semiotics of space, ‘hybrid phenomenology’, and stylistics. Such an inclusivist inter-method approach dispelled formalist prejudices according to thematology, providing arguments for the representation of Mostar within the Foucaultian category of heterotopia. The interpretation of a spatial phenomenon, being Mostar in Jasmina Musabegović's novels, guided this multigenerational family trilogy in a three-stage projection encompassing the periods of human life: childhood – maturity – the third age.

Stay (Informed) at Home! A Foucauldian Analysis of the Digital LGBTQIA+ Responses to COVID-19 and the Cultural Memory of the HIV-AIDS Pandemic Activism

Stay (Informed) at Home! A Foucauldian Analysis of the Digital LGBTQIA+ Responses to COVID-19 and the Cultural Memory of the HIV-AIDS Pandemic Activism

„Wer um alles in der Welt ist Pom-Pom?”

AbstractThe article deals with the stories of Pom-Pom, which appeared in Hungary from the beginning of the 1980s, initially in the media network of picture books and animated films. Since the 2010s, the characters have increasingly appeared in the public space of Budapest: first in the context of thematic playgrounds, then in the form of mini-sculptures, and finally street art murals. In terms of time, these events coincide on the one hand with the so-called critical threshold, that transition between communicative and cultural memory, and on the other hand they set in at a point in time initiated by the operational end as well as the incipient building decay of the renowned Pannónia film studios. The examples chosen solely according to the criterion of visibility in public space prove to be representations planned, supported and tolerated by the public authorities.

The transformation of the memory of Soviet mass deportations in Estonia: from Awakening (1989) to In the Crosswind (2014)

ABSTRACT This article explores the changing memory of Soviet mass deportations in Estonian film through a comparative analysis of two features: Jüri Sillart’s Awakening (1989) and Martti Helde’s In the Crosswind (2014). Examining their artistic choices and reception offers distinct depictions of mass deportations, shaped by the memorial frames of the times in which they were produced. The article shows how Awakening contributed to the formation of a national narrative and the illumination of historical complexities later sidelined in the nationalized memory culture, while In the Crosswind aimed to contribute to the transmission of the memory of mass deportations beyond Estonia.

Adrian Daub, What the Ballad Knows. The Ballad Genre, Memory Culture, and German Nationalism

Adrian Daub, What the Ballad Knows. The Ballad Genre, Memory Culture, and German Nationalism

FROM THE “RIGHT GERMAN” TO THE “KALININGRAD PHILOSOPHER”: IMMANUEL KANT IN COMMEMORATIVE PRACTICES AND MEMORY POLICY IN THE KALININGRAD REGION (SOVIET PERIOD)

One of the key problems of the state historical policy in the Kaliningrad region during the Soviet period was related to the attitude to the local pre-war historical and cultural heritage, it was partly the memory of the life and activities of the outstanding philosopher and educator Immanuel Kant. The purpose of this article is to identify the prerequisites, factors and stages of integration of Kant’s name and image into the regional culture of memory and commemorative activity. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the fact that the commemoration of the philosopher is first considered throughout the Soviet period of the region’s history. In the first post-war decade, the key condition for the formation of Kant’s commemoration traditions in the young Soviet region was ensured, that is, his tomb was preserved and taken under state protection in the mid-1950s. It became a place of attraction for Kaliningrad residents and guests of the city. In the 1960s–1970s, the philosopher’s grave was included in excursion routes and tourist guides, respect for his memory was used as an argument in the propaganda system, a tradition of scientific study of Kant’s heritage was formed in the region, and Kaliningrad State University became a center of such research. Under strict restrictions on the study and popularization of pre-war history, Kantian topics were perceived by a part of local intelligentsia as an allowed opportunity to share the “secrets” of the German past of the Kaliningrad land. At the same time, the position of regional authorities was characterized by contradictions, and initiatives to commemorate the philosopher were repeatedly met with resistance instigated by the regional committee of the CPSU. In the years of perestroika Kant’s image was perceived as a “bridge” connecting epochs and cultures. The work on the preparation of restoring the monument to the philosopher began, the plans of the regional branch of the Soviet Culture Fund included a “Kantian” programme of events, Kant became a character in the first popular narratives about the prewar history of the region. The process of integration of the “outstanding ‘fellow countryman’”, “Kaliningrad philosopher” into the regional culture by the end of the Soviet period was considerably accelerated.

Cultural memory and culinary practices of FARC ex-combatants in Colombia

Cultural memory and culinary practices of FARC ex-combatants in Colombia

A study in scarlet: cultural memory of the tropes related to the color red, female countenance, and onstage makeup in the Sinophone world

Abstract In a high-context culture like Chinese, the linguistic code encompasses only part of the message and is incomplete without context. One of the implicit codes embedded in high-context communication is color tropes. Highly recognizable in the Sinophone world, color tropes often manifest themselves in the forms of metaphor, metonymy, allusions, and similes and are often related to the conveyance of emotional content. This paper provides a selection and discussion of such color tropes, demonstrates that color in a language inspires associations and connotations that are often very subtle and determined by deep cultural memory, and, giving several Chinese examples, shows how the primary semasiology of a color term often influences its subsequent semantic extension.

FROM NOH PLAYS TO MODERN ANIME: THE ROLE OF PEONY FLOWERS IN JAPANESE CULTURAL IMAGERY

This paper examines the symbolism of the peony flower as an attribute of female demons or kijo in traditional and contemporary media. The peony, which symbolises the supernatural power of kijo, is depicted on the demon fan used in Noh theatre and remains in Japanese cultural memory. Over time, the meaning of this symbol has become ambiguous or lost, making it difficult for modern audiences to interpret. This study explores the linguistic, iconographic, and cultural sources of the peony on the demon fan and discusses how traditional aesthetic methods such as mitate (analogical representation) are used by contemporary media creators to revive the multilayered meanings of symbols.

Reflections about education, memory and human rights

Education, memory, and human rights form the subject of this research article in order to evaluate the critical role of education practice in recalling and enhancing human rights. In totality, the research brings into focus the significance of education when it comes to explaining history, self, and the world within which we live through the evaluation of ancient and current case studies. This article focuses on the exploration of notions relating to human rights education, including its objectives and approaches, as well as the effects of the implementation of human rights education in societies. By using examples of HRE implementation in Germany, South Africa, and Chile, it explains successful practices and impacts on the culture of remembrance and human rights. The article also covers the difficulties of providing good HRE, including lack of resources, political impetus, and, to some extent, the assimilation needs of teachers. Based on the analysis of the current status of HRE programs, it provides valuable suggestions for the improvement of HRE programs globally and especially stresses the acknowledgement and support from the international community and organizations. This research notes that the practice of disseminating human rights information for curricula in various countries across the globe remains vital in making the next generation of leaders agents of justice and equality, hence enhancing justice in society.

"KOSOVIZATION" OF SERBIAN MONUMENTAL CULTURE AND CREATION OF NEW IDENTITIES

Starting from the sociological understanding of culture as a set of determinants that channel social movements, the authors analyze the complex Kosovo-Metohija reality with a focus on material monumental heritage and its destruction with the aim of political revision of the past and falsification of Albanian identity. The vandalism of ethnic-religious instrumentalized Albanian groups is concealed by the construction of a media memory of collective memories, which aims at a manipulative strategy of gradually gaining the political support of world opinion. The analysis of characteristic case studies proved the destructiveness of the devastation of the monumental heritage for the Serbian identity, because without the symbolic bearers of the past, the national community that created also disappears. Demolished cemeteries, burned monasteries and churches, with expelled Serbs as bearers of symbolic meaning, opened up space for Albanian nationalists who, by "Kosovizing" Serbian cultural heritage, create their own identity, with the intention of showing that they have always lived in these areas. The theoretical framework is based on British cultural studies that use numerous forms of memorial culture to replace identity and change the culture of memory.

Angel Undone: Interrogating Hyderabadi Muslim Femininity, Colonial Modernity and Sharafat in Zohra

Zeenuth Futehally’s understudied Zohra (1951) has generated some renewed interest due to its representation of Muslim womanhood amidst political and cultural change in South Asia. I examine how the fading purdah system and redefined notions of sharafat (respectability) create a crisis of femininity for the protagonist. The destabilisation of sharafat reveals the tensions underlying the figure of the ‘new woman’ in South Asia. This article examines how the inherently patriarchal nature of reform impacts Zohra’s articulation of political agency. I analyse the text as a larger social commentary through the lens of Indo-Muslim and Hyderabadi cultural memory.