Abstract
Over the past few decades, Central and Eastern Europe has become a battleground for different and frequently conflicting interpretations of the past. Historical events of the 20th century, including WWII, the Holocaust, and the Nazi and Communist regimes, are remembered very differently across the region, sometimes resulting in memory wars within and between states. What is more, memory politics has been often used for justifying illiberal turns. The webinar will explore the link between the politics of memory and democratic backsliding in different Central and Eastern European countries. Professor Nikolay Koposov will focus on Putin’s Russia as a classic case of right-wing memory politics. Systematically pursued by the Kremlin for more than twenty years, this politics has significantly contributed to laying the groundwork for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its confrontation with the West. Professor Andrea Pető will discuss the change in memory politics that have been taking place in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary. Dr. Anna Wójcik will explore the memory laws of the rule of law backsliding in Poland. Moderated by Carna Pistan. This event is part of the Collective Memory and Democratic Backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe series.