Memory and identity in Turbulent Times: Young Russian Speakers in Latvia Amidst the War in Ukraine

• In Event: Geopolitical Crisis, Memory, and Media: Navigating Identity and Political Engagement in the Baltic Sea Region

Abstract

This study explores the complex interplay between memory and identity among young Russian speakers in Latvia, examining how the ongoing war in Ukraine has influenced their sense of belonging, historical narratives, and cultural affiliations. Based on 13 in-depth interviews with participants in Riga, Daugavpils and Liepaja, this research explores personal and collective memories, shedding light on how geopolitical upheaval shapes the identities of this group within the broader context of Latvian society.

Author

• Emma Rönngren, Örebro U (Sweden)