THE ROLE OF MEMORY IN SHAPING COLLECTIVE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Abstract

This article examines the central role of memory in shaping collective cultural heritage, emphasizing its function as both a preservative and transformative force in the construction of communal identities. Memory is presented not as a passive archive but as an active and selective process through which societies commemorate, reinterpret, and transmit traditions across generations. The study explores how oral traditions, material culture, performance, and commemorative practices embody memory and sustain cultural continuity, while also adapting to changing social contexts. It highlights the interplay between remembering and forgetting, the politics of memory in heritage curation, and the ways communities confront trauma and loss through acts of cultural remembrance. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and digital technologies, which extend the reach of memory while introducing new challenges of authenticity and ownership. Ultimately, the article argues that memory is indispensable for the vitality of cultural heritage, enabling it to function as a living, dynamic resource that connects the past to present realities and future aspirations.