The culture of remembrance in Argentina under pressure

The memory of the military coup and the civil-military crimes that followed remains a key political issue in Argentina. The military junta was responsible for systematic torture, state-sponsored terror and the enforced disappearance of over 30,000 people. Organisations such as the Madres de Plaza de Mayo became symbols of resistance and of the struggle for truth and justice.

Museums, memorials and human rights initiatives serve as reminders of the crimes committed during the dictatorship. At the same time, the culture of remembrance is the subject of fierce debate. Whilst many regard coming to terms with history as a step forward for democracy, right-wing and revisionist forces are increasingly attempting to downplay the crimes of the military dictatorship.

On ‘Day of Remembrance’ (Dia de la Memoria) in 2026, the government of President Javier Milei, with the support of the far-right ideologue Agustín Laje – who has since attracted attention in Europe for a video on the subject – promoted the idea of ‘complete remembrance’, portraying the perpetrators of the dictatorship as victims. Critics see this as an attempt to downplay state-sponsored terror. At the same time, the government cut funding for the genetic and forensic databases, which play a central role in identifying victims of forced disappearance.

The lecture and subsequent discussion will focus on the link between the culture of remembrance and current conflicts surrounding democracy, social justice and human rights. Under pressure from far-right hostility towards democracy, this potential for conflict is also palpable in Germany and other European countries.

Speaking on this topic this evening will be Pedro Crovetto (political and social scientist, who came to Bochum as an exile from Chile) and Germán Wiener (filmmaker and artist, who came to Bochum as an exile from Argentina)

An event organised by the Fritz Bauer Forum