Bringing Historical Memory to the Classroom

“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.“

George Orwell, 1984

Holidays, monuments, street names. Local legends, secrets, and forgotten diaries. Historical memory reveals itself in myriad ways, but its importance remains the same whether it’s state-enforced or shared in families. In the Soviet Union, memory and politics were intertwined and leaders created legitimacy by interpreting history and manipulating memory. In the Glasnost era and following the end of the Soviet Union, a new understanding of the twentieth century arose, and the former Soviet states began to diverge in their national memories.  

The issue of historical memory in the post-Soviet world has seen renewed attention in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an event fueled by a misappropriation of history from the highest levels in Russia. Now more than ever, understanding the past and present of memory in this part of the world is crucial to teaching about the region. What has changed and what has carried over from the Soviet period? What does it do to a society to have a split between individual and collective memory? What are the direct and indirect impacts of changing historical memory on teachers and students? 

In this workshop, featuring lectures and pedagogical activities, educators will be invited to consider these questions and more. Hear from experts, connect with other educators, and learn how to use resources in your classroom to bring all you learn back to your students. 

Food will be provided. There is a $25 registration fee. Checks can be made out to the Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College and mailed ahead of time to the address below or brought to the workshop. Fifteen PDPs will be awarded to all participants. 

Mail checks to:

Cris Martin (C/O Davis Center)

1730 Cambridge St

Cambridge, MA 02138