EDITORIAL
Introducing our new issue of Observing Memories proves to be quite a challenge against the backdrop of bombs falling near our homelands , the loss of lives among civilians of all ages and the repeated violation of human rights , starting with the fundamental right to life . I want to make it clear that I condemn all forms of violence , particularly the kind perpetrated by political powers , States and armed groups . At this very moment , they are destroying and torpedoing civilian spaces in Gaza . We should take a moment to reflect on the year 1861 when an international declaration was signed for times of war , explicitly respecting medical units , hospitals and ambulances . However , how many wars have transpired since then , and how often has this international declaration been ignored ? It is imperative to condemn violence . Those who disregard international law regarding contemporary violence show both a lack of wisdom and responsibility . To avert present-day violence , we must explore every possible avenue to protect lives . Every single life matters . We dedicate ourselves to examining past instances of violence from the vantage point of the present – not only as an exercise in knowledge and discipline but also as a universal right . The right to memory serves as a collective legacy of learning , potentially a preventive measure , and certainly a source of enrichment and fortification for our democracies , which are inherently fragile , volatile and fluid .
At the European Observatory on Memories , our commitment to transnational work is steadfast . As always , we engage in analysis , reflection , observation and active social and cultural involvement to assert the right to bring the past into the present as a fundamental citizen and civic right . It is the responsibility and duty of the State , those in power , and public administrators to uphold and champion this right .
From EUROM , we present our most critical and reflective public platform : the annual magazine Observing Memories . Once again , we commend the abundance and excellence of the contributions and analytical insights made . Our gratitude goes to the authors who have made this new issue possible . The central , though not exclusive , theme of this volume revolves around the image , spanning analogue , digital and audiovisual formats . In the realm of public memories , digital production is burgeoning , offering nearly infinite realms for reinterpreting and transmitting the legacies of the past . It also unlocks avenues for artistic creation and applications that the traditional – perhaps outdated – analogue world could not fully explore . Each day , countless memorial transmissions take place through numerous channels , systems and personal or collective creations in the digital universe .
Similarly , the current volume reflects EUROM ’ s increased and deeper involvement in networking with institutions , professionals and civil society associations across various parts of the globe . It is the culmination of 12 years of collaborative efforts , horizontal work and an ongoing comparative analysis of processes , examples and diverse realities within the field of memory studies . In this regard , we have provided a platform for colleagues from various disciplines , introducing new experiences and institutions that , drawing from their accredited expertise , shed light on projects , recent creations or reflections . Much like Jonathan Safran Foer in Everything is Illuminated , a young man exploring the memory of his family through geographical traces , images and objects from the past embarks on an initiatory journey of his personal memory that evolves into something collective , universal and shared . This encapsulates EUROM ’ s overarching goal and , specifically , this seventh issue of our magazine .
Once more , the intertwining and comparison of plural memories draw us into intricate and fascinating realities . Nevertheless , we cannot overlook the improper appropriation of historical terminology in political and journalistic discourses within the European and international arenas . We need to be vigilant about these inappropriate uses that power , States , or certain interest groups are increasingly employing . The trivialisation , historical relativism and terminological frivolity concerning past international genocides , the Holocaust , dictatorships , etc ., are recognised , as is the use made of victims in the justification of policies .
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