Three researchers from the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication recently contributed to the online journal WO2 Onderzoek Uitgelicht. In the latest edition, titled Imagined Past: The Frictions of Fiction, they reflect on the tensions between fictional imagination and historical facts in the context of World War II.
Kees Ribbens analyzes in his contribution "Tussen feit en fictie: reflectie op een spanningsveld" how popular culture, such as films and comics, represents historical events and the impact this has on our collective memory. He highlights the tension between academic historiography, which focuses on factual reconstruction, and popular representations like films, re-enactments, and art, where fiction plays a larger role. While these creative interpretations often engage a broad audience and contribute to collective memory, they can also lead to distortions or misunderstandings of historical reality.
Denise Schreuder discusses in "Er is lang genoeg weggekeken en gezwegen" how the representation of war history changes under the influence of societal debates and why it is important to focus on underrepresented perspectives, alongside Björn Rzoska. In this interview, Rzoska talks about his search for the wartime history of his grandfathers, which he describes in his book Gedeelde Grond. Rzoska chooses literary non-fiction to share the emotional and complex history of his family, blending facts with personal doubts. His book has triggered mixed reactions, especially within his family, but he believes it is important to confront the truth, despite the sensitivities.
Lise Zurné focuses in "Spelen met het verleden: fictie en authenticiteit in historical re-enactment" on the role of historical re-enactments and how they influence the balance between authenticity and fiction. Although authenticity plays a central role in this hobby, the playful aspect offers opportunities to develop new perspectives and adjust historical narratives. Re-enactors strive to depict the past as accurately as possible but inevitably allow choices and interpretations that impact the experience of history. Zurné shows how historical re-enactment is a dynamic form of memory culture, in which participants not only relive the past but also actively contribute to the way history is represented and interpreted.
Through these contributions, the ESHCC researchers provide a valuable academic reflection on how World War II is imagined in media, art, and popular culture. Read the full articles on the WO2 Platform (in Dutch).
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