Slavic Celebrities as Political Actors and Memory Makers: Re-inventing Fame and Power

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

Slavic Celebrities as Political Actors and Memory Makers: Re-inventing Fame and Power
This roundtable examines how Slavic-speaking celebrities shape collective memory while engaging in political activism, creating complex narratives that bridge entertainment, politics, and social memory. From Volodymyr Zelenskyy's reframing of his entertainment past in wartime leadership to Russian celebrities' negotiation with Soviet-era patterns of political engagement, celebrity voices actively construct and contest public memory. Our panelists analyze how contemporary Slavic celebrities invoke, challenge, or reinvent historical precedents of artist-activist roles, particularly drawing on memories of late Soviet and Yugoslav cultural figures who shaped political discourse. We explore how social media platforms like Telegram have transformed traditional patterns of celebrity political memory-making, creating new archives of political expression that coexist with state-controlled narratives. The discussion examines how celebrities' language choices and cultural capital influence their ability to shape collective memory across national boundaries and diaspora communities. Special attention is paid to how celebrities navigate historical trauma, national myths, and competing memory regimes in their political engagement. By analyzing celebrity political activism through the lens of memory, this roundtable contributes to broader scholarly discussions about cultural authority, political legitimacy, and the role of public figures in shaping historical consciousness.

Sub Unit

• Cinema, Television, Electronic Media

Chair

• Olga Mukhortova, DTRA DLIFLC

Roundtable Speakers

• Anastasia Gordienko, U of Arizona

• Olga Mukhortova, DTRA DLIFLC

• Rita Safariants, U of Rochester