The third presentation of the TraCe lecture series will be held by Jie-Hyun Lim from Sogang University, South Korea. The term “victimhood nationalism” is designed to illustrate competing memories of victimhood in the postwar “Vergangenheitsbewältigung” in the global memory space. In his work, Jie-Hyun Lim investigates global memory culture, focusing on victimhood memories critically. Once put into the dichotomy of victimizers and victims in national terms, the victimhood becomes hereditary and thus consolidates the national solidarity beyond generations. Victimhood nationalism is intrinsically transnational since victims are unthinkable without victimizers. The transnationality of victimhood nationalism demands a “histoire croisée” to comprehend the entangled pasts of the victimized and victimizers. The vicious circle of victimhood nationalism has been a rock to any historical reconciliation effort globally. Focusing on the nationalist phenomenology that constructs memories upon the present idea of the nation, Jie-Hyun Lim traces the global trajectory of victimhood nationalism through the interactions among Poland, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Korea. He aims to sacrifice the victimhood nationalism globally for history reconciliation and mnemonic solidarity.
When? June 24, 2025, 2 - 4 p.m.
Where? Goethe University Frankfurt, Campus Westend, Casino, Room 1.812
The lecture series “Transformations of Political Violence: New Perspectives” showcases new approaches to the changing forms, institutions, and interpretations of political violence as they are studied within TraCe. It brings together perspectives from history, sociology, political sciences, and cultural studies with activist voices.
The presentation takes place at Campus Westend and will be held in English. There will be no live stream, but the event will be recorded.