Abstract

DE ZAN, Julio. Memoria e identidad. Tópicos [online]. 2008, n.16, pp.41-67. ISSN 1666-485X.

The essential role of memory (and forgetfulness/oblivion) in the constitution of identity is shown first (1). Then, the article moves on to the critical analysis of uses of memory and of its relation with written history (2), to introduce the issue of collective memory policies (3) and go through modern State identity policies (4). In its central part the article refers to the fact that at the beginning of the 21st century we experiment that memory and forgetfulness/oblivion policies do no longer work in respect of the new wounds that live memory drags forth from the 20th century, and reconciliation by means of that kind of elaborations is not possible (5). The serious issue of live memory is no longer bound to the historiography of the founding deeds of the state-nation in the remote past, but is bound instead to other tragic events of the recent history of the society in which we live (6). In postmodern societies we witness a redefinition of traditional identity policies and a formation of new post-national identities bound to the tragic memory of genocides and to the moral and political commitment of "nevermore" (7).

Keywords : Memory; History; Forgetfulness; Identity.

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