Description
Memorial sites play a central role in recalling the past, building identity, and advancing nation-building and reconciliation. This research presents a comparative analysis of these memory spaces in two post-conflict societies: the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Northern Ireland. Both regions share a history of internal conflict, providing a critical lens for examining the politics of memory.
The study explores how memorials in Northern Ireland function to recall memories and shape present-day identities. This analytical framework is then applied to the Kurdistan Region. Drawing on fieldwork in Belfast that documented memorials from opposing sides, this research compares the role of these sites in both societies. It examines their complex and often contested contributions to forging identity, promoting nation-building, and establishing a sustainable peace.
