Performing the New German Past
The People's Day of Mourning and 27 January as Postunification Commemorations

Author: Kaiser, Alexandra

Source: German Politics & Society, Volume 26, Number 4, Winter 2008 , pp. 28-49(22)

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Abstract:

The article sketches the ruptures in today's German memory culture, concentrating on the Volkstrauertag (People's Day of Mourning) and the Gedenktag für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus (Remembrance Day for the Victims of National Socialism) on 27 January. It starts with an overview of the history of the Volkstrauertag with its (outward) transformation from a commemoration day for dead German soldiers into one for “all victims of war and violence.” The inclusive model of commemoration that was typical for the Bonn Republic is disintegrating today. In united Germany, the Volkstrauertag and 27 January reflect antagonistic memory strands, that is a memory focussed on the war dead and German suffering or on the Holocaust and German guilt. In light of discussions about commemorating Bundeswehr dead, the article ends by describing a re-heroicizing of the Volkstrauertag and, in a more general way, tries to outline the shifting construction of German national identity.

Keywords: COMMEMORATION DAYS; GERMAN VICTIMHOOD; HOLOCAUST MEMORY; MEMORY CULTURE; NATIONAL IDENTITY; VOLKSBUND DEUTSCHE KRIEGSGRÄBERFÜRSORGE; VOLKSTRAUERTAG (PEOPLE'S DAY OF MOURNING); GEDENKTAG FÜR DIE OPFER DES NATIONALSOZIALISMUS (REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATIONAL SOCIALISM)

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3167/gps.2008.260403

Publication date: 2008-12-01

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German Politics and Society is a joint publication of the BMW Center for German and European Studies (of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University) and all North American universities associated with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

A peer-reviewed journal, it is the only American publication that explores issues in modern Germany from the combined perspectives of the social sciences, history, and cultural studies. It provides a forum for critical analysis and debate about politics, history, film, literature, visual arts, and popular culture in contemporary Germany. Every issue also includes contributions by renowned scholars commenting on recent books about Germany.
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