Social Media as Lieux for the Convergence of Collective Trajectories of Holocaust Memory—A Study of Online Users in Germany and Italy

By articulating a shared victimhood or guilt or responsibility, memorial museums are designed as ethical projects that encourage visitors to learn from the past to build a “better future”. In contemporary Europe, Holocaust memorials and museums constitute a trajectory of remembrance about public Hol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Heritage 2023-09, Vol.6 (9), p.6377-6396
Main Authors: Manca, Stefania, Passarelli, Marcello
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archives & records
Collective memory
Cultural heritage
Culture
Digital technology
Germany
Holocaust
Holocaust memory
Holocaust museums
Italy
Media studies
Memorials & monuments
Museums
social media
Social networks
Transnationalism
User behavior
User generated content
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Summary:By articulating a shared victimhood or guilt or responsibility, memorial museums are designed as ethical projects that encourage visitors to learn from the past to build a “better future”. In contemporary Europe, Holocaust memorials and museums constitute a trajectory of remembrance about public Holocaust memory that consolidates political legitimacy and articulates national narratives of the legacy of WWII. In parallel, increasing adoption and spread of digital technologies have resulted in a convergence and a globalisation of themes and user interests associated with Holocaust memory. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perspectives and interests of users of the social media profiles of a group of Holocaust museums and memorials in Germany and Italy. Using a primarily quantitative approach, the study sought to understand the motivations, interests, and online activities of users of nine Holocaust museums and memorials. While national narratives regarding public policy continue to diverge in the two countries, users express a convergence of interests and motivations when using these social media profiles. This dual venture of Holocaust memory is a complex yet powerful example of how the globalisation of digital media is playing an increasingly significant role in European contemporary society.
ISSN:2571-9408
2571-9408
DOI:10.3390/heritage6090334