MARCH-ON-DIGIT - Memory and Archive Ontology in Digitalization of War Heritage in the Western Balkans

Memory and Archive Ontology in Digitalization of War Heritage in the Western Balkans"" (MARCH-ON-DIGIT) project aims to investigate the intersection of memory and archive in the context of digitalization, focusing on the 20th century war heritage in the Western Balkans (WB). The project examines this ontological relation through the lens of institutionalized remembering within WB memory institutions, such are libraries, archives, and museums. By addressing it the project offers a fresh perspective on the impact of digitalization on memory preservation and transmission. It will be conducted at the Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, by an experienced researcher in digital humanities and cultural studies, in collaboration with a team of established experts in history, international relations, digital research methods and technologies.
The project proposes a groundbreaking exploration of the intricate ontology between Europeanization processes, memory, and archive in the context of digitalization and preservation of digital heritage. It aims to unravel the complex influence of heritage digitalization on remembrance practices in the digital age. MARCH-ON-DIGIT addresses a critical gap in the scientific community's understanding of digital heritage preservation related to conflicts. The project's innovation is also amplified by its focus on the WB region, where a turbulent history of recent conflicts profoundly shapes current political and historical narratives. This research is particularly relevant and timely as the region nominally strives for transnational unity within the processes of Europeanization, but progress lacks which creates internal tensions, which this project will evaluate from the cultural memory and digital heritage theoretical approaches. By critically investigating this topic from both national and international perspectives, the project will serve as a pioneering reference for similar research in the broader European context.