Casually Sneaking Through the World War II Memory Minefield: How Russia Uses "Victory Day" as a Political Minefield
Exploitation of Memorial by Russian Propaganda Strategies
On May 8th, the anniversary of World War II's end in Europe, the Russian propaganda machine gets into high gear. This year, representatives from Russia and Belarus were left out of the commemorative event at the German Bundestag on Victory in Europe Day. Corinna Kuhr-Korolev, a historian specializing in Eastern Europe, offers her insights on the ongoing memory war and how current conflicts shape remembrance.
ntv.de: So, what's the scoop with Russia's celebration of "Victory Day" this year?
Corinna Kuhr-Korolev: Well, in Russia, May 9th is all about the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany, better known as the "Great Patriotic War." It's a massive national holiday, with endless parades and aunty Olga selling oversized souvenirs in every corner. Moscow sets the tone with a unified logo and design guidelines, but things can get pretty heated as severally régions vie for the most extravagant celebration.
Politics That's some serious Moscow Mash-Up over Memorials When did the military parades on Red Square kick off?
Back in the day, there were no parades on Red Square. The first one was in the 1960s, and since Putin's rise to power, they've been an annual tradition, with tanks, missiles, and soldiers galore. Remember, this is Russia, where even a trip to the grocery store can feel like a military exercise.
What should we expect this year?
Russia is trying to send a strong message, both domestically and internationally, that it's here to stay and remain a significant global player. Ten years ago, I had a heated debate with Russian pals about these parades. They didn't bother me then, but considering what we've seen in Ukraine, I'd say my concerns were rather spot on.
Right, the internal effect. But what about the global view?
Putin's a big fan of attending other people's parties. He'd love for as many foreign representatives as possible to show up, acknowledging Russia's historical achievement and cementing its place in global politics.
And the whole "May 9th versus May 8th thing?"
Don't even get me started on that. Russia's celebrating on May 9th because, well, Stalin wanted it that way. It was all about showing that the Red Army was the big-time player in defeating fascism in Europe. The rest of us, like Germany, celebrated on May 8th, the official end of combat on the European fronts in Reims, France. But no worries, history is a funny thing; it's always changing, and so are our perspectives on it.
And speaking of “funny” things, the memory war is a real thing, huh?
Oh, yes! In short, history is back as a weapon, and we're smack dab in the middle of it. It's all about political battles, in which territories, migrations, and the interpretation of World War II are central themes. Almost a game of Risk, if you will, where everyone's fighting for their piece of the world.
Bye, bye Binoche, It's a Memory WarHistorical Memory Being Used as a Political Pawn
- The memory war is being waged over World War II interpretation, with multiple factions trying to shape the narrative to suit their own political agendas.
- In Russia, the celebration is about glorifying the Soviet victory and projecting strength, while Western countries emphasize democracy, freedom, and the rejection of totalitarian regimes.
- Propaganda and censorship laws in Russia are used to suppress dissent and manipulate public opinion, ensuring a State-controlled narrative that supports Putin's political ambitions.
- Germany, Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine increasingly view Russia's narrative as an attempt to gloss over or deny Soviet repressions and occupations, which had lasting impacts on these countries.
In the Eye of the Abyss: The Geopolitical Implications
- These contrasting narratives have geopolitical implications, as they serve to justify contemporary foreign policies and alliances.
- The memory war shapes international relations, illustrating how World War II remembrance is used to make political statements and signal allegiances.
- For example, the Brazilian president attending Russia's Victory Day parade signaled a shift in position from Western condemnation of Russia's actions, demonstrating how World War II remembrance can be weaponized globally.
In short, the memory war is a complex battleground, where World War II remembrance becomes a tool for political positioning and geopolitical maneuvering. As the world navigates these choppy waters, it's essential to keep a critical eye on the historical narratives that shape our present and future.
- The European Union, the European Parliament, and other Western countries emphasize democracy, freedom, and the rejection of totalitarian regimes in their World War II remembrance, contrasting with Russia's narrative that aims to glorify the Soviet victory and project strength.
- Propaganda and censorship laws in Russia are used to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissent, ensuring a State-controlled narrative that supports Putin's political ambitions in the ongoing memory war.
- The memory war shapes international relations, with politicians using World War II remembrance as a political tool to signal allegiances and justify contemporary foreign policies.
- For instance, the Brazilian president attending Russia's Victory Day parade signaled a shift in position from Western condemnation of Russia's actions, illustrating how World War II remembrance can be weaponized globally in the game of geopolitical maneuvering.
