Presentations by Streams

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014, has caused significant anxiety among the countries of the post-Soviet and post-socialist region due to the changing geopolitical situation and the increasing degree of ontological insecurity. Since the Russian Federation has often justified its hybrid war against Ukraine and the open military invasion launched by the Russian armed forces on 24 February 2022, on (pseudo)historical grounds, this has inevitably affected the historical policies of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Against this background, the contributors will discuss the various uses of the elements of historical politics in their own countries (Belarus, Lithuania, and Ukraine) in relation to the changing cultural landscape of memory in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since this war has intensified the debate on the preservation of Soviet monuments in situ in post-Soviet countries, the panel will also focus on the issue of reconceptualising the Second World War memory sites and the demolition of Soviet-era military monuments.
Particular attention will be also given to the exploitation of the memory, symbolism, and rhetoric related to the Second World War used in Russian propaganda and in the counter-propaganda efforts of the opposing countries in the region. Furthermore, the panel participants will further their discussion by comparing the developments in the politics of history in relation to domestic political trends in the analysed countries.