Politics of memory and oblivion : An introduction to the special issue

Abstract

This editorial sets the context for the special issue on memory and oblivion and introduces the contributions. By interpreting the contemporary uses of the past, the editorial underscores the relevance of the study of memory and oblivion in today’s heated and antagonistic debates. The politics of memory and uses of the past often coincide with efforts of reducing the past to legitimize the current authorities and tend to create new gaps in memory that contribute to the polarisation of societies. The special issue consists of six articles that scrutinise the consequences of the intertwining of memory, oblivion and political power in European countries. Based on two main approaches, the contributions explore the diverse meanings given to practices of memory in contemporary contexts that shape remembering for communities and nations alike. One approach shows how in the context of memory politics, public, national and collective memories are utilised, interpreted, and revised to fill in gaps and absences, while the other approach focuses on exploring continuities, transformations and ruptures in the construction of national memory.