Past Memories, Future Memories: Race Against History

摘要

Why should we talk about history, memory, and commemorations of the Second World War? The farther in the past, the less painful memories should be, but contrary to these expectations, every new anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War brings about new 'memory wars' instead of reconciliation and pacification. What makes leaders born after the conflict so moved and emotionally involved in these debates? The answer is that 'memory wars' are not about the past; they are about the present and, even more so, about the future. Thus when in 2020 Russian policy makers talk about 1945 or 1939, they actually mean 1991 or 2024, which definitely makes it personal.