Sites of Persuasion, Spaces of Resistance: State Museums and Alternative Memory Practices in the Post-Soviet Memorial Exhibitions

The thesis, 'Sites of Persuasion, Spaces of Resistance: State Museums and Alternative Memory Practices in the Post-Soviet Memorial Exhibitions', delves into the complex interplay of archives, power, and historical narrative construction within post-Soviet countries. It investigates how archival practices can serve as instruments of epistemological domination while simultaneously holding significant potential for decolonisation. The central research question is: How do archival and arts-based practices in post-Soviet countries challenge narratives of power and contribute to decolonial and inclusive representations of history within the contexts of museums of occupations and resistance? It specifically explores how arts-based research can identify and articulate the gaps and silences prevalent in archives and their public presentation. Employing a dual methodological approach, this research examines both state-led memorial museums and various grassroots initiatives across Georgia, Ukraine, and Latvia. The analysis draws upon accessible exhibition materials, secondary literature, media reviews, and personal observations and reflections to identify patterns in narrative construction and alternative storytelling methods. State-led museums, while crucial for national identity formation and commemoration of suffering (e.g., the Tbilisi Museum of Soviet Occupation, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia), often present hegemonic narratives that can reinforce nationalist perspectives and inadvertently silence diverse experiences, such as Latvian complicity in the Holocaust or the nuanced identities of various population groups. However, external factors, like ongoing street protests in Georgia, can re-activate the core anti-imperialist narratives embedded within these institutions, demonstrating how even stagnant sites can become symptoms of current political crises. The thesis explores the integration of queer histories within post-Soviet memorial contexts, a theme often marked by systemic discrimination and silence. Jaanus Samma's art installation, Not Suitable for Work: A Chairman's Tale, exhibited in the Museum of Occupations and Freedom in Tallinn, exemplifies how research-based art can make invisible queer experiences visible within national narratives of oppression, linking homophobic legislation to broader political repressions. This demonstrates how arts-based approaches can pioneer and inspire legal and political transformations, fostering new networks of understanding against prevailing propaganda. In conclusion, this thesis argues that museums and cultural institutions dedicated to the post-Soviet past should transcend mere education or commemoration. They must evolve into dynamic places of feeling and dialogue, where the strategic application of arts-based research and alternative storytelling can actively dismantle colonial legacies, address complex contemporary political realities, and promote a more democratic and inclusive understanding of history for future generations.