HISTORICAL MEMORY AND MEMORY POLICY OF THE EU AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

The article attempts to provide a comprehensive description of the memorial sphere. It reveals contemporary interpretations of key concepts such as ‘historical memory,’ ‘politics of memory,’ ‘historical politics,’ ‘politicisation of history,’ ‘use of the past,’ and ‘wars of memory,’ and points to the interdisciplinary nature of their study. It concludes that historical politics in the postmodern era has a significant impact on politics as a whole. This applies to both domestic politics and the formation of a coherent representative image of the country in the foreign policy arena. The influence of memory politics on contemporary interstate and inter-ethnic relations is highlighted. This is especially true for countries that have undergone post-communist transformations. The model of ‘double victimhood’ that has developed in these countries is highlighted. The events of World War II are also outlined as an object of ‘memory wars,’ in which scholars, state institutions, political and public figures from various countries are actively involved. A comparative analysis of European and national memory policies is conducted. The importance of harmonising memory policies for European integration processes is identified. The importance of transitioning to the standards and values of the European community in the humanitarian sphere is emphasised. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account both the standards of remembrance adopted in the European community and the peculiarities of national history with its tragic and heroic pages. It is stated that, ideally, memory policy should be aimed at forming national identity, tolerance and memory of historical events that are significant for national