Revolution in the museum
1917–2017: delicate commemoration
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Museums play an important role in the official presentation of history. This applied in particular to the Soviet museums of the revolution. In today’s Russia, the state also exerts influence on museums. At the same time, they are being altered by greater professionalisation and international networking due to economic pressure. Museums bring together politics, science and the general public. Their work tells us a great deal about the state’s policies on history and changes to its own self-image. The exhibitions held to mark the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution in the “Museum of Contemporary Russian History” in Moscow and the “Museum for Political History” in St. Petersburg differ significantly in terms of their concepts, museum design and political statement, and reflect the uncertainty in terms of history policy as to how to handle this delicate commemorative year.
(Osteuropa 6-8/2017, pp. 323–341)