Corrupted Memories: Populism and Neomedievalism in Russia and Beyond

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

The roundtable will focus on the strategies that far-right populists employ to shape historical memory, as well as the cultural and intellectual reasons for the recent decline of cosmopolitan memory and the rise of nationalist narratives. Political neomedievalism, which celebrates the Middle Ages as an alternative to democracy, plays a significant role in these strategies. We will examine these issues in a broad comparative context, particularly emphasizing Putin’s Russia. Additionally, we will explore specific characteristics of contemporary populist politics concerning the past and contrast them with historical precedents that utilize medieval themes for conservative political purposes.

Sub Unit

• History: Since 1990

Chair

• William G. Rosenberg, U of Michigan

Roundtable Speakers

• Ekaterina Haskins, Pennsylvania State U

• Dina Khapaeva, Georgia Institute of Technology

• Kati Parppei, U of Eastern Finland (Finland)

• Yana Prymachenko, Inst of History NASU (Ukraine)