Destruction, heritage and memory: post-conflict memorialisation for recovery and reconciliation

Memorialisation of conflict-affected sites holds significant potential for post-trauma recovery and reconciliation, serving as a catalyst for healing or further division depending on stakeholder dynamics, interpretation, symbolic meanings, and spatial-temporal context. The study critically examines these processes through case analyses of Hiroshima, Beirut, Sarajevo's Vijecnica, and Mostar Bridge, revealing that effective memorialisation requires inclusive engagement with all involved parties and careful consideration of pre/post-conflict relationships. This research contributes to the broader discourse on difficult heritage by offering frameworks for addressing sites emerging from crises, emphasizing its role in fostering unity and resilience.

Atabay, Z. E., Macedonio, A., Teba, T., & Unal, Z. (2022). Destruction, heritage and memory: post-conflict memorialisation for recovery and reconciliation. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 14(4), 477–496. https://doi.org/10.1108/jchmsd-06-2021-0103