Remembering Hope: Transnational activism beyond the traumatic

Area of Science:

• Cultural Memory Studies
• Social Activism
• Historical Commemoration

Background:

• Current memory studies predominantly focus on traumatic memories.
• There is a growing interest in the intersection of memory and activism.
• Existing analytical tools are insufficient for studying positive memory transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for an expansion of memory studies beyond trauma.
• To develop analytical frameworks for understanding the cultural transmission of positivity and values.
• To re-orient memory studies by examining activist memory practices.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of the commemoration of the Paris Commune.
• Examination of the "festive mode" of commemoration.
• Theoretical exploration of memory, activism, and cultural transmission.

Main Results:

• The commemoration of the Paris Commune demonstrates how positive memory can be cultivated.
• Festive commemoration can transform memories of defeat into sources of hope and inspiration.
• The study highlights the potential for memory studies to engage with activism.

Conclusions:

• Memory studies must broaden its scope to include positive memory and value transmission.
• Analytical tools are needed to capture the cultural significance of positive memories.
• The Paris Commune commemoration serves as a model for how collective memory can foster hope and activism.