Participants

Discussion

The war in Ukraine has reshaped our perception of historical heritage and legacy, starkly reminding us that Europe rests on the legacy of totalitarian regimes. As the ongoing conflict ravages museums and archives, it also reveals the tangibility and hidden power of historical memory, transforming it into a battleground of contemporary political struggle. In the context of "memory wars" and the weaponization of history, archives emerge as contested sites of power, memory, and historical agency. They acquire new significance and political force while simultaneously becoming vulnerable targets in the ongoing conflict.

This roundtable invites an engaging discussion on endangered memory, cultural heritage, and archival activism amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. We will examine the diverse forms of archival activism that have emerged in conflict-affected areas and the international efforts dedicated to preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Case studies will illustrate both international and local state-funded programs aimed at rescuing state archives, alongside grassroots community-led initiatives dedicated to preserving endangered community archives. Topics will include presentations of various projects and platforms focused on documenting the war in Ukraine, including war crimes, witness testimonies, and the preservation of voices and narratives from communities and regions directly impacted by wartime destruction.

This roundtable aims to explore how documents, archives, and historical knowledge have become sites of contemporary political struggle, as communities in Ukraine and international efforts collaborate to save, relocate, conceal, or unveil endangered archival materials. These initiatives transform archives into both witnesses of history and instruments of change. The preservation of endangered cultural heritage transcends traditional boundaries of archival work, serving as a vital tool for community activism during wartime. This process acts as a form of resistance against erasure and violence, as communities mobilize to document their experiences and share their stories, ultimately contributing to a collective memory that reflects both their past and their future.