Memory and the Impact of Political Transformation in Public SpaceDaniel J. Walkowitz, Lisa Maya Knauer Memory and the Impact of Political Transformation in Public Space explores the effects of major upheavals—wars, decolonization, and other social and economic changes—on the ways in which public histories are presented around the world. Examining issues related to public memory in twelve countries, the histories collected here cut across political, cultural, and geographic divisions. At the same time, by revealing recurring themes and concerns, they show how basic issues of history and memory transcend specific sites and moments in time. A number of the essays look at contests over public memory following two major political transformations: the wave of liberation from colonial rule in much of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America during the second half of the twentieth century and the reorganization of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet bloc beginning in the late 1980s. This collection expands the scope of what is considered public history by pointing to silences and absences that are as telling as museums and memorials. Contributors remind us that for every monument that is erected, others—including one celebrating Sri Lanka’s independence and another honoring the Unknown Russian Soldier of World War II—remain on the drawing board. While some sites seem woefully underserved by a lack of public memorials—as do post–Pinochet Chile and post–civil war El Salvador—others run the risk of diluting meaning through overexposure, as may be happening with Israel’s Masada. Essayists examine public history as it is conveyed not only in marble and stone but also through cityscapes and performances such as popular songs and parades. Contributors |
Contents
WALLACES MONUMENT AND THE RESUMPTION OF SCOTLAND | 21 |
THE FALL AND RISE OF PRAGUES MARIAN COLUMN | 47 |
ABORTED IDENTITY | 65 |
DANCING ON THE GRAVES OF THE DEAD | 83 |
MUSEUMS | 103 |
THE POLITICS OF MEMORY IN THE BONN AND BERLIN REPUBLICS | 105 |
REMEMBERING THE WAR AND THE ATOMIC BOMBS | 127 |
CITYSCAPES | 147 |
Chiles Sitios de Memoria and the History of Torture Disappearance and Death | 191 |
COMMEMORATING THE PAST IN POSTWAR EL SALVADOR | 211 |
Masada in Israeli Memory | 233 |
PERFORMATIVE COMMEMORATIONS | 253 |
MUSIC MEMORY AND THE POLITICS OF ERASURE IN NICARAGUA | 255 |
COMMEMORATING THE ANGLOBOER WAR IN POSTAPARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA | 277 |
BIBLIOGRAPHY | 295 |
315 | |
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The Politics of Memory in Postwar Europe Richard Ned Lebow,Wulf Kansteiner,Claudio Fogu Limited preview - 2006 |