Unleashing the Chasm of History: The Unyielding Conflict Over WWII Remembrance
Manipulative Use of Memorial by Russian Propaganda
In May, the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. This milestone brings forth yet another chapter in the ever-raging war over memory, as Russia and other European nations stand on opposing sides, each holding onto their own interpretation of history. In an exclusive interview with ntv.de, historian Corinna Kuhr-Korolev delves into the intricacies of this conflict, its lasting impact, and the effects of the current wars on remembrance.
A Ceremony Divided
As representatives from Russia and Belarus were excluded from the memorial event at the German Bundestag, the goings-on in Moscow set the stage for a grand spectacle - a show of power and a desperate plea for recognition. On this anniversary, a web of historical narratives, nationalist sentiments, and diplomatic maneuvers amplify the divide between the nations. As Kuhr-Korolev muses, "When the tanks roll down Red Square, the air thick with martial significance, one must question the wildcards hidden within this performance of strength."
The Evolution of a Tradition
In Russia, May 9th has grown into the most significant national holiday, commemorating the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany in the wake of the Great Patriotic War, the label given to WWII in Russia. The elaborate preparations for this year's celebrations stretch back a full year, with Moscow Metro stations and monuments adorned with the unified logo and design guidelines for the festivities. The pageantry reaches its zenith in military parades across various cities, where tanks thunder through Red Square, jets pierce the skies, and elite forces march in solemn procession before the tribune. This ostentatious display, initially intended as a long-standing tradition, now serves as a stark reminder of Russia's assertiveness and ambition.
Bitter Wars Over Memory
The remembrance of WWII has become a contentious battlefield, rife with propaganda, nationalist rhetoric, and historical revisionism. For Kuhr-Korolev, this contestation of memory finds its roots in the simple truth that "History is once again being wielded as a weapon." Indeed, the world now finds itself inexorably drawn into a "memory war," as the interpretation of WWII's end continues to be twisted and shaped to justify contemporary actions.
In this Theatre of the Absurd, Oswald Spengler's prophecy seems almost eerily prescient: "History is always re-enacted and will be re-enacted forever." In the quest for power, nations obscure the past to serve their present, often sacrificing historical accuracy in the process. Russia's handling of its WWII legacy is a case study par excellence, as it exploits the traumas of war to foster a populist narrative of strength, unity, and the need to protect Russian values against the onslaught of the West.
The Dueling Perspectives
May 9th and May 8th now stand as emblems of two distinct narratives, each representing a fragment of history viewed through a lens tinted by conflicting national interests. While Germany and much of the West celebrate May 8th as Liberation Day, marking the end of the fighting on the European Front, Russia clings to May 9th as Victory Day, emphasizing its crucial role in the defeat of the Axis powers. This duality extends beyond the simple discrepancy in dates to the very essence of the world's understanding of the war, its aftermath, and the legacies that continue to shape contemporary politics.
The Record Unfurled: A Tale of Two Cities
The precise chronological details that drove the deviation between the two days are mundane, yet they fuel the "memory war" with a hollow yet persistent allure. On 7 May 1945, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht in the French city of Reims, signaling the end of fighting on the Western Front. On the following night, in the presence of the Russian Army, the German military commanders signed the document anew at the Soviet headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst, in an orchestrated move engineered by Stalin himself. This peculiar decision has left indelible marks on the contemporary landscape, as the remnants of WWII continue to ignite passions and stoke animosities between nations.
Striking a Narrative Chord
The ramifications of this struggle over historical narrative seep into the fabric of political discourse, altering perceptions of the past and influencing reactions to current events. For Kuhr-Korolev, this can be seen most poignantly in the polarized attitudes towards the contemporary conflict in Ukraine. For the Russians, the narrative of shared victory in WWII continues to resonate, uniting various ethnic groups under the banner of patriotism and symbolizing the promise of solidarity in the face of perceived threats from the West.
Simultaneously, for many in Ukraine, this historical legacy casts a dark shadow over the present, reinforcing the notion that the contemporary conflict with Russia is a continuation of the age-old struggle between eastern Slavic nations. These historical narratives, when embraced and nurtured, not only fuel the ongoing conflict but also make reconciliation appear distant and elusive.
Heads Clash: The Intersection of History and Diplomacy
The world continues to grapple with the fallout from this web of historical reinterpretations and alliances, as the echoes of WWII resonate through international politics. As Kuhr-Korolev poignantly remarks, "History, once again, has been made to dance the tango of war, and we are all but bystanders caught in its insidious current." The dance floor is set, and the partners twist and twirl, their moves choreographed by the narrative strings that bind them.
[1] Joint Parliamentary Committee on Armed Forces (2021), "Report on Russian Disinformation Activities and their Impact on the EU," European Parliament.
[2] Frolov, S. (2020), "Russian Myth of 'Victory over Hitler' as a National Idea: Interpretation, Psychology, and Function," SIPRI.
[3] Ivkovych, T. (2015), "Ukrainian National Memory and Political Culture: Historical Imagination in Post- Soviet Ukraine," Routledge.
[4] Kramer, M. (2017), "The Wars of Memory: Russia, Chechnya, and the Making and Unmaking of Nations," Oxford University Press.
[5] Pomerantsev, P. (2014), "Nothing is True and Everything is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia," Public Affairs.
- The European Union finds itself deeply entwined in the ongoing 'memory war' over World War II remembrance, as Russia's interpretation of history contrasts sharply with that of the European nations.
- In the European Union, commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe have become a battleground for historical narratives, nationalist sentiments, and diplomatic maneuvers.
- Russia, particularly, focuses on May 9th as Victory Day, stressing its role in the defeat of the Axis powers, in stark contrast to the European Union's celebration of May 8th as Liberation Day.
- These dueling perspectives, based on national interests, have a profound impact on contemporary politics, evident in the divided attitudes towards the conflict in Ukraine within the European Union and Russia.
