The mechanisms of memory. Memory and forgetfulness at the Timișoara universities during the communist period Cover Image

Mecanismele memoriei. Amintire și uitare la universitarele timișorene în perioada comunistă
The mechanisms of memory. Memory and forgetfulness at the Timișoara universities during the communist period

Author(s): Gabriela Panu
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Cultural history, Library and Information Science, Education and training, Higher Education , Post-War period (1950 - 1989)
Published by: Universitatea de Vest din Timişoara
Keywords: university elites; communism; women's careers; memory; forgetfulness;

Summary/Abstract: The narratives of the women who were part of the university niche reveal nostalgic attitudes and focus on the positive aspects of the regime that gave them a high social and professional status. Beyond the multiple memory deficiencies, their narratives provide valuable data on the basis of which a portrait of a collective professional destiny can be constructed. The discourse on the past in general and on their career in particular reveals certain automatisms of thought and sometimes even clichés such as those that overestimate the quality of education in Ceausescu's time, the period in which they were active. The narratives of the interviewees almost turn into myths about themselves, the narration of professional facts and achievements are truly heroic, worthy of the legends with sacred characters. The self-glorification of biographies is unanimously present in their career stories, the academic women are aware of their personal value and importance and they are highlighting these things without modesty.

  • Issue Year: IX/2022
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 243-255
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Romanian