Assertion of National Identity in the Context of Historical Memory: a Methodological Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63437/3083-6433-2026-1(36)-01Keywords:
nation, national identity, historical memory, Ukrainian state, youth, cultureAbstract
The article offers a methodological analysis of national identity within the discourse of historical memory. It examines the processes of nation formation and the development of national self-consciousness as the foundation of national identity, which today constitutes a relevant object of scholarly inquiry in the philosophy of education, pedagogy, history, cultural studies, and psychology. It is argued that the meaning of nationality and national self-awareness lies in identity, realized through the subjective, symbolic, or emblematic use by individuals of various cultural elements to interpret the distinctiveness of their community and themselves in relation to others.
The study demonstrates that research on historical memory has become one of the key factors influencing the formation of national identity, within which the phenomena of national culture and politics acquire new dimensions. It emphasizes the importance of considering the social context, which introduces corresponding modifications to the content of historical memory and shapes its impact on the formation of national identity. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in the number of institutions responsible for reinforcing the primacy of memory over history – such as museums, libraries, and archives.
It is shown that historical memory encompasses beliefs, traditions, and outstanding individuals – heroes who have played a crucial role in the struggle for statehood and have sacrificed their lives for the people. The use of memory and collective recollection is presented as an integral part of the political process. The existence of a “politics of memory” discourse is substantiated, affirming the right of particular communities and individuals to remember their past.
It is further emphasized that in the context of Ukraine’s full-scale war against Russian aggression, historical memory functions as a vital resource for asserting national identity, operating as a heuristic and cognitive instrument in resistance to the enemy.
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References
Використані літературні джерела
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