Digital Monuments and Memories: A Decade of Holocaust Narratives on Twitter

The paper investigates a decade of tweets related to Holocaust Remembrance Day, analyzing how digital affordances facilitate the formation of fluid digital monuments around specific hashtags. By employing a mixed-method approach, the study examines the evolving discourse, user engagement, and the role of hashtags in shaping collective memory on Twitter. Drawing on Pierre Nora's concept of "lieux de mémoire" (sites of memory), it explores how the digital realm extends his framework by positioning hashtags as digital sites of memory. These sites enable the aggregation and circulation of diverse commemorative practices, transforming ephemeral social media interactions into enduring expressions of remembrance. The study delves into the interplay between the tangible and intangible aspects of monuments, considering the necessity of both for fostering communal congregation and memory. While traditional monuments have a physical presence that grounds collective memory, the paper argues that digital monuments possess their own forms of stability and fluidity. This is achieved through repeated commemorative practices around hashtags, as well as shifting discourses that reflect contemporary sociopolitical contexts. The paper further discusses whether these digital monuments can exhibit the qualities needed for shared commemorative experiences, given the lack of physical presence. It contends that digital platforms provide unique affordances-such as the ability to like, share, and engage in dialogue-that allow for both immediate and ongoing engagement. These interactions create an evolving memorial landscape where a dispersed yet interconnected community can rally around Holocaust remembrance in the digital age. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to broader discussions on how digital media reshape collective memory, challenging traditional understandings of monuments while highlighting the potential of social media to foster meaningful acts of remembrance