Trauma & Memory: The Holocaust in Contemporary Culture

The memory of the Holocaust has become a common cultural consciousness and a cultural property shared by people all over the world. This collection brings together academics, critics, and creative practitioners to discuss contemporary trends in Holocaust commemoration and representation in literature, film, TV, the entertainment industry, and social media. It debates how contemporary culture engages with the legacy of the Holocaust, considering the dwindling number of actual survivors and the development from testimonial presentations to more fictional narratives. The collection also assesses other forms of cultural production surrounding the Holocaust, highlights the contributions of creative practitioners, and was originally published as a special issue of Holocaust Studies: A Journal of Culture and History.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Over the past few decades, the memory of the Holocaust has transcended its status as a mere cultural consciousness to become a cherished cultural asset shared by people across the globe
globe. This remarkable collection brings together esteemed scholars, critics, and creative practitioners from diverse fields such as Holocaust Studies, Literature, History, Media Studies, Creative Writing, and German Studies. Their collective expertise and perspectives come together to explore the evolving trends in Holocaust commemoration and representation in literature, film, television, the entertainment industry, and social media.

The essays in this trans-disciplinary anthology delve into the complex ways in which contemporary culture engages with the enduring legacy of the Holocaust, particularly in light of the dwindling number of actual survivors. It engages with ongoing cultural debates within the realm of Holocaust Studies, which have witnessed a remarkable shift from predominantly testimonial presentations of the Holocaust to the emergence of more fictional narratives in literature and film. This collection not only examines literary trends in Holocaust representation but also assesses various forms of cultural production surrounding the Holocaust, encompassing recent official memorialization in Germany to the portrayal of the Holocaust in film, computer games, and social media.

Furthermore, this collection pays tribute to the invaluable contributions of creative practitioners, including writers and performers, who employ the power of drama and the traditional art of storytelling to preserve and pass on the memories of the Holocaust to future generations. Through their artistic endeavors, these individuals ensure that the legacy of the Holocaust remains alive and continues to resonate with people worldwide.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Holocaust Studies: A Journal of Culture and History, further testament to the significance and impact of this work.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367703172