Toxic Tidbits: The War of Remembrance over Victory Day
Manipulation of Memorial Through Russian Propaganda: A Deceptive Practice
Get ready for a raw take on the bloody battle of narrative in the post-WWII era! Corinna Kuhr-Korolev, a historian bluntly spells it out: the war for memory is raging hot as ever, baby!
ntv.de: So, how's Russia gonna party it up for Victory Day this year?
Corinna Kuhr-Korolev: (Rolls eyes) You guessed it, sweetheart! May 9th—a.k.a. the day of victory over Nazi Germany—is the grandest national holiday in Russia, with tank parades, jets flying overhead, and a grand old-fashioned display of military might. It's all part of Moscow's shameless effort to flex its muscles—both domestically and internationally.
Politics | The ol' bait-and-switch: Fun and games with military parades!
In the early post-war years, the 9th of May wasn't a big deal in Soviet Russia. But over time, it evolved into an official holiday with annual military parades on Red Square, only happening during special occasions in the past. Since Putin came to power, though, it's been a yearly show of force.
So, what's the deal this year?
Putin wants to make a grand spectacle and impress the hell out of the world—proof that Russia's back and ready to play the global big leagues once more.
Why fix a broken clock with a signature when you can do it twice, huh?
Turns out, that's exactly what Hitler's boys had to do when they surrendered. The official document was signed twice, baby—once at the Western Allies' HQ in Reims on the 7th May, ending the fighting in Europe, and again later that night in Berlin-Karlshorst. Stalin insisted on that little extra touch to drive home his glory.
Welcome to the memory battlefield!
That's a great way to put it, kissie! We're looking at a modern-day war of remembrance here—history as a loaded weapon. The interpretation of the end of WWII has become a sizzling battleground in the ongoing memory war.
Putin ain't no history fan, but he's a fan of efficiency, and historical argument is a handy tool, especially when justifying his aggressive actions.
But wait—it ain't a one-sided dance!
It's all about different historical visions of the end of WWII, and most of the ex-Soviet Republics celebrate "Victory Day" in a much toned-down fashion, while the Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine refuse to partake duet-style with Russia.
Even Ukraine, a former Soviet Republic?
Indeed, Ukraine used to celebrate May 9th in the early years post-Soviet Union. But its government opted for a change of tune in 2016, naming May 8th the "Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation" in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea, sweetheart.
So, that's the deal with Victory Day in 2023—a raging battle of narratives, alliances, and allegiances!let's raise a toast to the good ole' days of sword-fighting... Oh wait, that's just in porn.
By Rebecca Wegmann
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Keywords:- Russia- Victory Day- World War II commemoration- Memory wars- Nationalism- Ukraine conflict- Putin- Historical interpretation- Propaganda- European history- Geopolitics- Cold War- Propaganda war- Imperialism- Tank parades- Rhetoric
Insights:
- The memory of the end of WWII in Europe has become a contentious tool in contemporary political struggles between Russia and several Eastern European countries, particularly the Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine.
- Divergent interpretations of WWII's outcome: Russian narrative emphasizing the USSR’s role as the heroic anti-fascist victor and the Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine's anti-totalitarian interpretation.
- Political use of WWII memory: Russia to assert legitimacy, defend against fascism, and justify actions; Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine to affirm their distinct historical experiences and push back against Moscow’s narratives.
- The clash over historical memory is central to the current conflict dynamics in Eastern Europe.
- The European Union, in a show of solidarity with the Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine, might choose to commemorate the end of World War II on a different day than the European Union member state of Russia, which celebrates it as Victory Day on May 9th.
- In Belarus, a European nation sandwiched between Russia and the EU, the discourse around the WWII commemoration could potential be a subject of osteuropa, delving into the complexities of regional politics and the influences of both Western and Eastern powers.
- As the war of remembrance over Victory Day continues to unfold, the online platform WhatsApp might serve as a battleground for propagating different narratives, contributing to the polarization of opinions within European societies.
- The general news media outlets would closely monitor the political dynamics surrounding the WWII commemoration, focusing on both war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice aspects, aiming to shed light on any potential misuse of history for political gain.
- Amidst the ongoing memory war, scholars and experts would examine the role of politics and historical interpretation in shaping public perception, as well as discerning the impact of these narratives on contemporary international relations, particularly within the context of the European Union.
