Images of the past in the culture of the Belarusian city: formation principles

Abstract

The formation of images of the past is investigated on the example of commemorative practices (toponyms, monuments, murals) in the cultural space of the Belarusian city. Monuments dedicated to iconic personalities, marking the space, on the one hand, reflect the socio-cultural dynamics of the place, on the other, they cause conflicts of memory. The author points out the complex and dialectically ambiguous connections that form the structures of interaction between history, tradition and commemorative practices. Attention is focused on the problems of manipulating images of the historical past, adaptability of memorialisation strategies to national interests. The problem of commemoration as an actual practice of preserving the national historical and cultural heritage in the conditions of modern urban landscapes is significant and in demand both in theoretical, methodological and practical terms.