Cultural Heritage and Identity in Post-Soviet Ukraine: The Case of Historical Memory in Lviv

Abstract

This paper examines the intersection of historical memory and identity in Lviv, Ukraine, focusing on how Soviet-era monuments and historical sites are remembered and used in the present-day formation of Ukrainian national identity. The study looks at how Lviv’s cultural and historical landscape has been shaped by competing narratives of Soviet and Ukrainian history, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia. By analyzing local archival documents, memorialization practices, and recent political debates, the paper offers a comparative perspective on how history is used as a tool of political engagement and cultural negotiation in post-Soviet spaces.