Narratives of Memory, Migration, and Xenophobia in the European Union and Canada

The chapters presented explore how varied agents of memory -- including the music we listen to, the (his)stories that we tell, and the political and social actions that we engage in -- create narratives of the past that critically contest and challenge xenophobic and nationalistic renderings of political possibilities for Europe and Canada. The goal of the volume as a whole is to foster innovative interdisciplinary and intercultural discussions on memory discourses as political, social, and creative collective ventures. In addition, the volume aims to contribute to the development of curriculum geared towards exploring the politics of memory in shaping present-day tensions and conflicts. Specific themes explored in the volume include: 1) How memory politics and narratives of the past frame and influence current political decisions and decision-making processes 2) How memory discourses and narratives of the past can be deployed as agents of change and resistance to destabilizing and fracturing discourses 3) How cultural narratives of the past and memorialization are interwoven with current public policy challenges relating to multiculturalism and diversity 4) The role of integrative national and transnational identities in the face of rising nationalism and xenophobic discourses