Perpetrator, Victim, Hero: The Politics of Memory in the Wake of Mass Violence

In his Lecture , political scientist Professor Timothy Williams Lecture insight into the politics of memory following the genocides in Cambodia (Khmer Rouge, 1975–1979), Rwanda (against the Tutsi, 1994), and Indonesia (against the communists, 1965–1966). Williams compares the approaches to coming to terms with the past and examines how memory contributes to political power and social legitimacy. Who is viewed as a victim, perpetrator, or hero in the collective memory? Williams has presented his findings in the book “Memory Politics after Mass Violence: Attributing Roles in the Memoryscape” (June 2025).

His analyses show that memory is never neutral, but is often a tool of political power and social legitimacy. The event invites open discussion—about responsibility, perceptions of history, and the question of how memory shapes our political actions today.

Please register via the vhs SüdOst website. The registration deadline is May 15, 2026.
For in-person attendance,the meeting point for external participants is at 6:30 p.m. at the University of the Federal Armed Forces (details provided after registration).
Alternatively, you can Online via livestream.