Shaping Memory, Defining Communities: Soviet War Memorials in Berlin and Their Role in Perceptions of Ukrainian and Eastern European Identity in Germany

• In Event: Remembering the Present: Memorialization of Russo-Ukrainian War in Memorials, Museums, Literature and Rituals II

Abstract

Soviet war memorials in Berlin, such as those in Treptower Park, Tiergarten, and Schönholzer Heide, have long embodied Soviet narratives of World War II, serving as spaces designed to shape collective memory and influence perceptions of Ukrainian and other countries incorporated into the Soviet Union. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has reignited debates surrounding these memorials, sparking a critical analysis of their role in shaping public perceptions of Ukrainian identity within German society. This paper examines how these memorials have historically influenced the understanding and representation of Ukrainian and Eastern European communities. By analyzing the legal and diplomatic frameworks that govern these sites—such as the Two Plus Four Agreement (1990) and the German-Russian Treaty (1992)—alongside public interactions and community-led reinterpretations, this study explores how these spaces have become contested arenas of memory. Special attention is given to the origins of these memorials, particularly how their creation was shaped to support the dominance of one narrative over others. The paper investigates how public interrogations of these sites challenge the traditional narratives of war memorials, highlighting acts of commemoration, protest, and cultural expression that reframe these spaces as sites of resistance rather than reconciliation. By situating these memorials at the intersection of history, identity, and geopolitics, this paper contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of memory in shaping perceptions of marginalized communities within society and its influence on transnational connections. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the study demonstrates how contested commemorative spaces can both reinforce and challenge dominant historical frameworks in a rapidly changing world.

Author

• Yeva Yakubovska, Pilecki Inst Berlin (Germany)