Between Memory and Reality: The Founding Myth of the Holocaust and the European Union in the 21st Century

Abstract

The European Union, by adopting the Holocaust as its “founding myth,” sought to consolidate a supranational identity based on the values of peace, human rights, and democracy, with the expectation that these ideals would be widely accepted by all its Member States. However, contemporary Europe is marked by the rise of right-wing extremism, antisemitism, and hate crimes. The discrepancy between the symbolic principles of Holocaust memory and current political and social realities raises doubts about the effectiveness of this narrative as a means to promote unity and peace within the European space.