Several connected and heated debates about the centrality of Holocaust memory and how that dominance relates to memories of other past injustices (most notably but not exclusively colonial pasts) have played out in Germany since 2020. Historical memories there, once the source for commonalities and unity, have become the source for contestations. These include the 'Causa Mbembe' from 2020, to Dirk Moses' polemic 'German Catechism' in 2021, leading up to the controversies surrounding Dokumenta 15 in 2022.This roundtable will be a discussion among participants in, and commentators on, these contentious debates, with an eye to assessing what comes next, both in Germany and beyond. The session will take the form of an interview/discussion among participants, as well as an opportunity for engagement with/from the audience.We are awaiting responses from a number of prominent figures, and hope to have a solid roster shortly.
TFDC G.41/G.56 Plenary Lecture Theatre MSA Conference Newcastle 2023 conference@memorystudiesassociation.orgSeveral connected and heated debates about the centrality of Holocaust memory and how that dominance relates to memories of other past injustices (most notably but not exclusively colonial pasts) have played out in Germany since 2020. Historical memories there, once the source for commonalities and unity, have become the source for contestations. These include the 'Causa Mbembe' from 2020, to Dirk Moses' polemic 'German Catechism' in 2021, leading up to the controversies surrounding Dokumenta 15 in 2022.
This roundtable will be a discussion among participants in, and commentators on, these contentious debates, with an eye to assessing what comes next, both in Germany and beyond. The session will take the form of an interview/discussion among participants, as well as an opportunity for engagement with/from the audience.
We are awaiting responses from a number of prominent figures, and hope to have a solid roster shortly.
