Takeover of the memory field: changing commemorative practises regarding Stalinist repressions in Russia
Date
2019
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Current paper primarily focuses on the analyses of Russian memory regime on the issue
of Stalinist repressions. Over the recent years, Russian government established a
monopoly of commemoration of the past events by oppressing existing independent
memory agent in the field. Current empirically driven case study aims to define modern
memory regime in Russia and main reasons behind the takeover happened. With the help
of framing analysis, the comparison of narratives used by state and non-state memory
agents is done in order to distinguish key differences in how same commemorative events
are framed by different actors. According to the analysis, in authoritarian settings
independent memory agent Memorial is considered as a threat, as it emphasizes the
connection between Soviet repressions and the ongoing ones in modern Russia. New
state-controlled actor Memory Fund was introduced to the field in order to promote
legitimacy of the incumbent regime and establish the monopoly of commemoration.