Repression as a Voice Giving, or How Holocaust Studies in Europe Became Subversive Subjects

Introduction. Certain historical topics are marginalized in one country and widely discussed in another. They are pushed out of the research field, banned, and marginalized by influential public figures and experts. It is particularly shocking when the history of the Holocaust or Nazi crimes in Europe becomes a subversive topic.

Materials and Methods. The study is based on the analysis of interviews with two historians from Lithuania and Ukraine who wrote about the crimes of Nazi collaborators against the Jewish population during World War II and were subsequently subject to psychological pressure and forced to emigrate from their countries.

Analysis. The analysis uses the concepts of state of emergency (George Agamben), modern European nationalisms (Maxim Herzfeld), multiple interpretations (Peter Virno), political metaphors, and changes in public opinion. Anti-Semitism and Nazi crimes have long been criminalized in European legislation. However, society and influential European politicians are currently unwilling to accept the truth about the Holocaust. On the other side of the scale is the formation of a new anti-Soviet/anti-Russian ideology, with its heroes – pro-fascist military units – for example, in Ukraine or Lithuania.

Results. The suppression of subversive themes can lead to a surge in their popularity when the economic and/or political situation changes. The oppression of authors leads to their voices becoming influential and powerful.

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