Pomnaanie

Pomnaanie is a term that appears in a limited set of scholarly and artistic texts to describe a practice of memory production and preservation. Because it is not widely standardized, its precise meaning varies across authors, but it is generally tied to how individuals or communities construct, maintain, and transmit memories over time.

Etymology and usage notes: The form likely draws on Slavic roots connected to memory and remembrance, and in some discussions it is treated as a neologism meaning “the act of remembering” or “remembrance as practice.” In practice, pomnaanie is used to describe not just remembering, but the deliberate, organized work of making memory legible and shareable.

Definition and scope: As used in memory studies, pomnaanie refers to an intentional, collaborative process of memory construction that involves selecting, organizing, and presenting memories—whether through writing, oral history, digital archives, or ritual performances—with attention to context, subjectivity, and reception. It encompasses both internal cognitive processes and external practices that render memory accessible to others.

Practices and examples: Pomnaanie is applied to personal reminiscence and collective memory work, including community archives, cultural heritage projects, oral histories, and artistic installations that invite public participation. It often involves curating materials, narrating perspectives, and negotiating competing memories.

Significance and challenges: Proponents emphasize reflexivity, ethical recall, and situated memory. Critics point out that pomnaanie can reproduce power dynamics, produce selective or performative memory, and marginalize voices that are less heard. It sits near related concepts such as collective memory, reminiscence, archiving, and memory governance.