Original scientific paper
Historical Memory as a Source of Conflicts in Eastern Europe
Jerzy Jedlicki
; Institute of History, Polish Academy of Sciences
Abstract
Memory of collective wrongs and atrocities suffered in the past from another nation or ethnic group often burdens a present conflict with strong resentment and makes it appear as a historical repetition or redress. There are many examples in recent history of Eastern Europe, the Balkans included, when vivid and deliberately inflamed historical reminiscences make it virtually impossible to negotiate a compromise solution of a crisis. Only when national memory has been “cooled” and sacrosanct historical places and symbols have lost some of their mobilizing force, may human relations between the enemy communities be restored.
Keywords
memory; history; conflict; crimes; responsibility
Hrčak ID:
154389
URI
Publication date:
31.12.1999.
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