An open, two-way conversation with memory

Memories can only surface when the past and the present are in contact and are allowed to speak. If a memory is a mere crystalised snapshot of the past, it will never serve a higher purpose and be nothing more than a random page in history, exalted into a sterile celebration. Let us be clear: celebrating is not inherently wrong – memories can serve the purpose of not forgetting someone or an event – and, indeed, are part and parcel of our life. But memory truly unleashes its potential when it is buoyed by a flow of unstoppable words day in, day out, year after year. The extermination of the Jewish people, for example, is one of the most heinous acts ever perpetrated by humanity. A macabre folly which seems to leave most people indifferent today. And the reason for this indifference is one, and one only: this multitude of people do not have an open, bidirectional conversation with memory. They do not ask questions and do not question anything. They would rather favour denial other introspection and comparisons. This is what happens within the populist, nationalist, and sovereignist movements which are invading Europe but also within those movements that are carrying out a genocide towards innocent civilians after the tragedy which struck on 7 October. The forces guiding that country have certainly forgotten Rabin, the embodiment of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, murdered by a right-wing extremist who was against the peace agreements. If we murder memory, any chance for peace is unthinkable.

And once you add lies to the mix, this only compounds propaganda with necessary untruths. The current Russian “zar” is a shining example of this, as was the former president of the USA. Lies are memory’s natural enemy because by denying and rewriting history, memory is erased. They are attempting this in Italy, too, as the government would rather not address the country’s memory and past and prefers tearing out pages from books. Having a good look at our collective memory would mean admitting that Fascism was an accomplice of Nazism, that Germany occupied our country with violence, and that to kowtow to the Fuhrer the racial laws were passed in 1938.

These worrying times see the world beset by constant wars, which makes the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust so much more important – and necessary, I would add. As long as we can speak with our collective memory we will be able to glimpse a better future.