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Landmarks of memory: Why is the French lieux de mémoire so important to us?
In today’s society, the concept of a landmark of memory (lieux de mémoire) has become the core idea of cultural heritage, representing the memory that a particular historical event, person or symbol carries for society. French historian Pierre Nora elaborated on this concept in his three-volume work "Fields of Memory", pointing out that these landmarks are not only physical spaces but also bearers of symbolic meaning.
“A landmark of memory is any significant entity, whether material or immaterial, which, through human will or the passage of time, has become a symbolic element of the commemorative heritage of any community.”
According to Nora's definition, these landmarks can be monuments, museums, or events or symbols, such as the image of Marianne in France or even the red flag of the colonial era. In the process, they become part of the national memory, linking the past and the present and enabling people to understand and reflect on the significance of their shared history.
In a joint French-Quebec commission, these landmarks of memory were mapped and codified in order to expand the cognitive scope of these spaces and activate society's collective memory of history. The study of these landmarks is not limited to the scope of a single culture, but also aims to find and enact similar places of memory around the world.
“The landmark of memory is a complex entity, both natural and artificial, simple and vague.”
However, as a landmark of memory, its existence has been criticized by many parties. Scholar Stephen Legg suggests that Nora's view of memory is a passive state obscured by official history, that is, the official shaping of history will lead to the homogenization of local memory. He pointed out: "In the past there was one national story and many individual memories, but now there is only one national memory." Such unification has instead led to the neglect of many region-specific memories.
Scholars who support Nora argue that the concept makes sense because it emphasizes the close connection between memory and specific places. Such assessments have sparked important discussions about “social forgetting” in historical memory. South African historian Guy Bena argues that research into forgotten places of memory can also help balance singular perspectives on memory.
"As an important part of nation-building, public holidays can shape and legitimize national symbols and promote national identity and social cohesion."
Public holidays, for example, often become landmarks of memory, preserving not only the memory of specific historical events but also fostering a collective veneration of public heroes. The arrangement of these holidays reflects a perception and narrative of history, and to a certain extent reflects how the country views its past and how this past influences the current social structure.
As we explore the landmarks of memory, we can't help but wonder how these places relate to our lives. As globalization deepens, how can we preserve and establish the value and significance of these landmarks in our own culture? Are the secrets of the future also hidden in our history and memory?
