Interpretation of the Second World War as a Way of Shaping Public Consciousness in Romania
https://doi.org/10.53658/RW2026-4-2(20)-198-212
Abstract
The formation of public consciousness and historical memory as its component play an important role in the construction of national identity. The article examines Romanian public consciousness, which is based on the idea of a “correct” interpretation of the history of the events of the Second World War, as well as historical policy conducted in accordance with it from an official, scientific and institutional point of view. Romanian and Russian scientific thought, media materials, as well as museums and memorials are studied. The article analyzes how memories of the war period are preserved and interpreted in modern Romanian society, and also examines the influence of individual plots of Romanian history on the formation of national identity and public consciousness. One of the controversial topics in Romania’s historical memory of World War II is the assessment of Romania’s role as a satellite of Nazi Germany due to the threat from the Soviet Union and the lack of potential allies. The estimates of the August 23, 1944 uprising are contradictory. Some consider it a heroic act that saved Romania from Nazi occupation, while others may view it as an attempt to save the country from defeat in the war. The article also examines the role of I. Antonescu and his assessment in Romanian historiography, as well as the implementation of the geopolitical project of “Greater Romania” as one of the motives for participating in the war. Special attention is paid to various aspects of the perception of the war: from Romania’s participation in hostilities to the consequences for the country and its people.
Keywords
public consciousness,
historical consciousness,
World War II,
national historical memory,
historical politics,
Romania,
“Greater Romania”,
national identity
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out as part of the state-funded research assignment of Moscow State Linguistic University (project No. FSFU-2026-0002).
About the Author
A. A. Azarenkova
Moscow State Linguistic University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alina A. AZARENKOVA. Lecturer at the Department of Political Science of the Institute of International Relations and Socio-Political Sciences. Lecturer at the Department (Basic) of International Cooperation in the Field of Security at Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas
Build. 1, Ostozhenka str., 38, Moscow, 119034
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Review
For citations:
Azarenkova A.A. Interpretation of the Second World War as a Way of Shaping Public Consciousness in Romania. Russia & World: Sc. Dialogue. 2026;(2):198-212. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.53658/RW2026-4-2(20)-198-212
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