Reflections on the Commemoration of the First World War: Perspectives from the Former British Empire

The First World Wars centenary sparked a global wave of commemorative activity, exploring the legacies of the conflict from various perspectives. This book examines these responses from former British Empire countries, highlighting insights from historians and heritage professionals. It examines how commemoration evolved into celebration, the extent to which it served social and political functions, and the lessons learned that can inform future commemorative efforts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The centenary of the First World Wars sparked a widespread commemoration effort across the globe, encompassing official, unofficial, individual, collective, and commercial endeavors. These efforts took place at various levels, from local to national and international scales, aiming to address the legacies of this monumental conflict. This book delves into some of these responses from regions previously associated with the British Empire, such as Australia, Britain, Canada, India, and New Zealand. It features insights from historians specializing in commemoration and heritage professionals, offering revealing insider and outsider perspectives on the centenary.

The book explores the extent to which commemoration transformed into celebration, evaluating the merits of these responses. It also examines the centenary's role in serving broader social and political functions, such as fostering new knowledge and understanding of the events of a century ago, recovering lost or marginalized voices, or reinforcing existing clichés. The contributors to this book engage in a thoughtful exploration of these questions, offering diverse answers that highlight the connections and disconnections between those involved in shaping public knowledge about the "war to end all wars."

The centenary of the First World Wars marked a significant milestone in commemorating and understanding the global impact of this historic conflict. By examining the various responses and perspectives presented in this book, we gain valuable insights into the complexities and nuances of commemorating historical events, the role of commemoration in shaping public memory and understanding, and the potential for learning from past experiences to inform future commemorative activities.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 160 x 242 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367898731