The War in Museums: Museum Exhibitions After Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine

ABSTRACT

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The consequences of this aggression, the largest European armed conflict since World War II, are still difficult to predict. It is certain that they will affect not only Ukraine but also other European countries. For now, it seems that the countries most affected are those in the EU and NATO that border Russia directly—Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. These countries are united not only by a border with Russia and an increasing sense of threat related to the ongoing war, but also by their historical experience of being part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, varying degrees of dependence on the USSR in the 20th century, and their defense against it.

In this study, I analyze whether and how these experiences influence the narratives about national history and the war presented in selected museums in these countries and whether they have evolved since February 24, 2022. How is the state of war (and peace) portrayed in the national history of these countries? How have Russia and the USSR been portrayed, and what role have they played in the history of these countries, as well as in Europe and the world? How have and are the war in Ukraine and its victims being incorporated into existing museum narratives?

The answers to these main research questions are sought through the analysis of exhibitions and non-exhibition activities of museums. In the countries of the region that interest me, the exhibitions of museums focusing on war, conflict, and repression will be analyzed. I will focus on two types of museums. The first group consists of institutions led by the Ministries of National Defense: Muzeum Wojska Polskiego (Warsaw, Poland), Latvijas Kara muzejs (Riga, Latvia), Eesti sõjamuuseum – kindral Laidoneri muuseum (Viimsi, Estonia), and Sotamuseo (Finland). The second group, led by various state institutions or non-governmental organizations, consists of museums focusing on the period of dependence on Russia and the USSR. These include: Muzeum Pamięci Sybiru (Białystok, Poland), Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs (Riga, Latvia), the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Vabamu (Tallinn, Estonia) (these museums are part of the “Common Memory” network), and the Lenin Museum in Tampere, which has a slightly different profile.