This article considers young people's socialization into mnemonic communities in 14 European countries. It argues that such socialization is an intersubjective and selective process that, to a great degree, depends on the particular social environment that conditions the discourses on pasts available to young people. Drawing on memory studies, it recognizes memory as a valid alternative to the institutionalized past (history) but envisages the two as inextricably connected. Given this, it identifies several strategies adopted by young people in order to socialize understandings of the past. While these strategies vary, some reveal receptivity to populist and far right ideologies. Our study demonstrates how internalization of political heritage via mnemonic socialization within families is conditioned by both the national political agenda and socio-economic situation experienced across Europe.
To many in both the East and the West it seemed axiomatic that the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was due to “nationality reasons,” which were viewed as a natural process in the last empire's decline. Then, during the democratic reform of a totalitarian state, ethnic minority rights were first spoken of, and the growth of national self-awareness appeared to be an integral part of society's liberalization. Time has since shown that liberal changes in the economy and in the political and social spheres are not always accompanied by the establishment of social justice; indeed, it has frequently been minorities who are among the most unfortunate and marginalized groups in society. Defending the rights of minorities and combating ethnic and racial discrimination remains one of the most relevant issues in practically all post-socialist countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern and Central Europe.
SUMMARY:
C конца 1980-х годов и, особенно, после развала Советского Союза греки, живущие на Кавказе, стали представлять себя в качестве понтийских греков. В статье, которая посвящена изучению этой “понтийской” идентичности, решается вопрос: какие культурные, политические и экономические процессы способствовали ее формированию в постсоветский период. Автор рассматривает идентичность понтийских греков как современный феномен, возникший в результате комплексной трансформации бывшего советского общества. В то же время, формирование понтийской идентичности / этничности подвержено воздействию глобализации. Понтийские греки считают себя диаспорой и, в то же время, подчеркивают свои исторические права на регион их нынешнего проживания. Автор рисует понтийскую этничность как постоянно оспариваемую и формулируемую категорию.
Then he studied social anthropology in the Institute for Ethnology and Anthropology (Moscow, Russia), cultural studies and Russian and East European studies in the University of Birmingham (UK). He received his PhD from Birmingham University based on the study of the cultural production of identity among Greeks in southern Russia and the North Caucasus. Currently Dr Popov studies transmission of historical memories about the traumatic periods of the past to the younger generation of Europeans and the impact of collective memory on the youth activism (including young people's involvement in radical right groups).
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