Trauma and Nostalgia: Practices in Memory and Identity

This volume explores the significance of nostalgia in the construction of traumatic pasts, highlighting its role in shaping identity and the interactions between trauma and nostalgia in public spaces, popular culture, and media.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2024
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Nostalgia holds a profound significance in shaping the construction of traumatic pasts, impacting individuals and communities alike. This comprehensive volume employs an interdisciplinary approach to delve into the intricate interplay between trauma and nostalgia, enhancing our understanding of how these complex emotions influence the formation and evolution of identity. Scholars from diverse academic backgrounds and contexts explore the integration of nostalgic memories in the context of trauma, examining their interactions in public spaces, patriotic symbolism and rituals, popular culture, cinema, religion, museums, and memorials. The contributors emphasize the role of media and other mass-cultural technologies in disseminating images and narratives related to traumatic and nostalgic experiences. Through these insightful essays, the volume sheds light on the often overlooked role of nostalgic longing in shaping the discursive, visual, and material aspects of collective trauma.

Nostalgia, a powerful emotion that evokes a longing for the past, has a profound impact on the construction of traumatic pasts. This volume explores the intricate relationship between trauma and nostalgia, shedding light on how these emotions intertwine to shape individual and collective identities. Through an interdisciplinary approach, scholars from various academic disciplines delve into the complexities of how nostalgia influences the interpretation, remembrance, and representation of traumatic events.

The contributors to this volume examine the role of nostalgia in public spaces, patriotic symbolism, and rituals, as well as in popular culture, cinema, religion, museums, and memorials. They explore how nostalgia is used to normalize traumatic experiences, provide comfort and closure, and reinforce social and cultural norms. They also examine the ways in which media and other mass-cultural technologies contribute to the dissemination of images and narratives related to traumatic and nostalgic experiences, shaping public perceptions and collective memory.

One of the key themes of this volume is the ways in which nostalgia can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce power imbalances. Scholars argue that nostalgia can be used to justify past injustices, ignore historical trauma, and reinforce dominant narratives that marginalize certain groups. They also explore the ways in which nostalgia can be used to resist and challenge these narratives, promoting a more inclusive and accurate understanding of the past.

Another important theme is the role of nostalgia in shaping individual and collective identities. Scholars argue that nostalgia can be a source of resilience and strength, providing a sense of connection to the past and a means of coping with current challenges. However, nostalgia can also be harmful if it is used to ignore or deny the realities of trauma, leading to emotional and psychological distress.

In conclusion, this volume provides a comprehensive exploration of the significance of nostalgia in the construction of traumatic pasts. By employing an interdisciplinary approach, it enhances our understanding of how trauma and nostalgia influence the formation and evolution of identity. The contributions to this volume shed light on the complex interplay between these emotions, highlighting the ways in which they shape public spaces, cultural practices, and collective memory. As we navigate the challenges of the present and future, it is essential to consider the role of nostalgia in shaping our understanding of the past and our place in the world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789048559220