Formation of national historical memory in the conditions of the active phase of the armed conflict

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the mechanisms of shaping national historical memory amid the active phase of an armed conflict by identifying the features of its transformation, analyzing contemporary approaches to preserving and transmitting historical experience, and developing recommendations for integrating historical memory into current socio-cultural and educational practices.

In the course of the study, a complex of general scientific methods was utilized to ensure a multilevel understanding of the issues. Analysis allowed for the identification of the structural features of the conflict’s impact on historical memory; synthesis served to generalize theoretical approaches and practices of its preservation; and abstraction helped isolate the primary factors driving memory transformation. An inductive approach was employed to synthesize empirical observations regarding the societal manifestations of the phenomenon under study, whereas a deductive approach was used to establish patterns in the formation of collective narratives.

As a result of the study, it was established that the active phase of an armed conflict triggers multidimensional changes in collective historical memory, which manifest themselves in the heroization of specific events, the distortion of information flows, the loss of cultural carriers of memory, complications in the educational transmission of knowledge, and the transformation of psychological mechanisms of perceiving the past. It was determined that the preservation of historical memory is ensured by a combination of documentary-archival, educational, cultural-artistic, media, and civic-activist approaches, each possessing both potential and limitations under wartime conditions. Recommendations have been developed for the utilization of digital technologies, interactive educational platforms, media communications, and crowdsourcing initiatives to enhance the efficiency of transmitting historical experience and to engage the public in memory preservation processes.

The conclusions indicate that the transformation of historical memory in conflict conditions is non-linear and contradictory, combining consolidating effects with the risks of informational distortions. It is demonstrated that the efficacy of preserving historical experience depends on the balanced use of traditional and digital communication channels, as well as the level of integration of social institutions into this process. The necessity of further developing innovative mechanisms for representing the past is emphasized as a prerequisite for increasing the resilience of historical memory in crisis circumstances.