Memory of the Macabre

This thesis explores the impact of the chosen modes of remembering at Dutch National Memorial Centers of the Second World War on their audiences. As there is relatively little known about the dark tourism experience, including the role of negative emotions, and how these are induced, it is important to gain more insight into the relationship between modes of remembering and visitors’ emotional outcomes and adopted sentiments in war memorial sites. This research is particularly relevant within the current socio-political landscape, where populist and nationalist movements are effectively challenging the official European cosmopolitan narrative of transnational reconciliation and post-war peace and prosperity. Memorial museums play a crucial role in shaping collective memory and national identity, as they enforce a curated version of history told through different approaches to remembering: the antagonistic, cosmopolitan, and agonistic, each reflecting different sentiments. Where antagonism fosters division, cosmopolitanism promotes global solidarity, while agonism incorporates diverse perspectives for a nuanced historical understanding. The preferred modes of remembering at the three Dutch National Remembrance Centers were identified through expert interviews, while visitor book analysis determined the accompanying emotions and sentiments. All three centers predominantly employ an agonistic approach to memory, with the Oranjehotel uniquely exhibiting clear cosmopolitan sentiments. Considering the dominant presence of the ‘current situation’ sentiment, all three memorial centers were successful in reaching their goal of linking past events to contemporary issues by highlighting the futility of freedom under oppression and the importance of the rule of law. The agonistic mode of remembering stands out for its ability to provoke critical reflection among visitors by providing a nuanced portrayal of historical events, allowing visitors to interpret past experiences from a new perspective. The outcome of the minimal but notable presence of nationalist sentiments at the Oranjehotel illustrated how the cosmopolitan mode of remembering, might aid the rise of nationalistic sentiments. This thesis therefore recommends the European Union to consider enforcing an agonistic approach to collective remembering, as this approach presents historical events in a more balanced and nuanced manner, encouraging visitors to critically reflect without promoting any particular ideological agenda, an approach necessary within the current socio-political context.