Cultures of Remembrance

3 years ago we started our biggest project working on remembrance cultures. Since then we went on educational travels to Ukraine, Greece, Russia and Georgia, built up a network of artists and activists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, UK, Georgia (and many more), created a methods brochure and organized an exhibition in Berlin. The best way to get an idea on what the project is about is to visit the exhibition website:

www.cultures-of-remembrance.com/en/exhibition

History of the project

“Cultures of Remembrance” originated as an initiative by non-hierarchical groups from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and Germany. The project’s primary objective was to critically examine how the memory of World War II, National Socialism, and resistance against it varies across different European regions. Additionally, it sought to develop alternative approaches to remembrance work, especially in engaging young people.

The project embarked on a remarkable journey, organizing four educational trips to Ukraine, Russia, Greece, and Georgia. These trips were central in the project’s development, offering unique insights into various narratives and questions concerning the remembrance of the Second World War in Europe.

At its inception, the project grappled with questions such as “How to conduct remembrance work that doesn’t support national competition?” and “How to engage young people?”. To address these questions, the project held its first meetings of activists and interested individuals in Russia and Ukraine in 2021.

The ideas and inspirations that emerged during these initial encounters led to the creation of a multimedia website and the development of a brochure that outlined methods for conducting commemorative work with young people.

One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the formation of a network of individuals who continued to support each other even amidst the full-scale escalation of conflict. This network collectively explored how historical narratives were employed to justify the ongoing war.

In 2022, the project organized a gathering in Greece after the outbreak of the war. This event emphasized emotional support while recognizing the urgent need to learn from historical moments of imminent danger and critically question prevailing historical narratives. The contributions of participants, generated alongside these encounters, nurtured the concept of an exhibition.

The idea behind the exhibition and our most recent trip to Georgia 2023 was to counter the nationalist memorial narratives with approaches from self-organized marginalized groups. This theme further underscored the project’s commitment to reimagining remebrance work by incorporating the voices and experiences of still underrepresented and marginalized communities.

The project is driven by the love and work of artists, activists and friends and initiated by Educat e.V. A collective for power critical and diversity conscious education, working from Dresden and Berlin.

Next steps

Right now we are recovering from an exhausting but also inspiring exhibition…and already planning on how to continue. We will gather the network behind the project to collect feedback, ideas and wishes for the future. So far some of the ideas are

  • small-scale, short-term
    • repeating the exhibition including local activists from and in Saxony before the upcoming elections in autumn 2024
    • updating the exhibition website / creating an online exhibition; including work on accessibility of the exhibits and website
  • long-term bigger ideas:
    • creating a mobile and traveling exhibition visiting different countries, including new exhibits and workshops concerning the specific regions
    • further educational trips

For whatever idea might become real we are searching for fundings and support.

Contact

For ideas, feedback and questions, feel free to write to remembrance(at)educat-kollektiv.org.