Memory politics: Dealing with the troubled past
The former Soviet sphere of influence, or post-communist Europe, has experienced some of the worst political violence in human history in the last century – including the Holocaust, World Wars, the repression of human rights, mass deportations, and ethnic cleansing. Acknowledging this past is vital to healing historical trauma, bringing justice, and understanding societies in the region as well as the imperialistic mindset which attempts to reimagine the borders of Russia.
Film: My Favorite War
26 May at 00:00 CET – 2 June at 23:59 CET
My Favorite War is an animated documentary recounting the personal story of its director, Ilze, who grew up in the Cold-War USSR. It is an exciting coming-of-age story about finding one’s own identity, truth and loyalty.
First, we meet Ilze as a little girl playing war at her grandfather’s farm in Latvia. Then, she is faced with the horror of war threats at school. Ilze lives in a clash between Soviet reality and the state propaganda which denies what people are experiencing. Moreover, Ilze finds out that even the people she loves the most have opposing beliefs. The film is about the difficult choices she must make at a very young age and the courage she must find to finally speak out.
Director: Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen
Country: Latvia
Duration: 77 min
Access: due to distribution rights, this screening is only accessible in European countries except France. Subtitles in English, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian and Latvian.
Debate
2 June at 18:30 CEST
The USSR was formally dissolved in 1991, when Latvia also gained independence. The Singing Revolution that led to the restoration of independence of Baltic states from the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War was a non-violent revolution that overthrew a violent occupation. While recognition of victims and perpetrators is a precondition to putting the past to rest, it is just a first step in healing collective trauma.
During this debate, we will explore Latvia’s struggle for its own independence and identity through the lens of memory politics, and how this relates to Ukraine’s own fight for freedom and self-determination. What is the way Latvia has been dealing with its past and what are other European examples of dealing with war crimes, repression of human rights, and ethnic cleansing? How can transitional justice bring lasting peace and security in post-conflict situations?
Moderator: Mar Garcia, Secretary General of the European Greens
About the Green Screen
Through a series of online film screenings, the Green Screen project invites you to engage with contemporary debates on key green issues. Created by the European Greens, it will explore topics such as memory politics, the future of our food and the environment, policies for green cities, and more. Sign up to stream films (each available for 7 days) and join us at our debates and artistic performances!
Upcoming events
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We invite you to join us in Riga, Latvia, on 3-5 June 2022. We are looking forward to gathering as a family once again in these unique times to shape our political action and elect the new Committee of the European Green Party. Come participate and contribute your ideas on how to fight for a more free, peaceful, and democratic Europe that addresses the social, economic and climate crises today.
