Collecting Personal Memories With the Use of Oral History Method
Collecting Personal Memories With the Use of Oral History Method

Author(s): Maja Dubljević, Tanja Petrović
Subject(s): Civil Society, Oral history, Recent History (1900 till today), Methodology and research technology, Studies in violence and power, Politics of History/Memory, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Documenta - Centar za suočavanje s prošlošću
Keywords: civil society; Documenta; methodology; oral history; personal memories;
Summary/Abstract: The methodology which Documenta – Centre for Dealing with the Past uses in collecting personal memories is partially grounded in the basic methodological principles of the oral history method. It has been used since 1948, when the oral history method was accepted in the scientific community as a technique of documenting history and it enables Documenta, as a human rights organization working on the process of dealing with the past, to respond to unique request which are set before the organization. Except for trying to respect scientific principles of documenting with the use of oral history method, the methodology we use also includes a step forward towards a social engagement. As part of the wider process of dealing with the past, Documenta, through its activities related to collecting and recording personal memories, tries to provide an opportunity to people, who have neither been active in creating historical events nor have carried any political power during certain periods, to affirm themselves as social actors. On the other hand, by insisting on the principle of multiperspectivity, we try to present to the public plurality of different narratives. Our aim is to contribute to a deeper and all-encompassing understanding of certain historical processes which have significantly affected the lives of people from these areas. The methodology of our work on the project “Personal memories of wars and other forms of political violence from 1941 until today” consists of several phases which follow one after another and are in part complementary.

• Details
• Contents