‘The politics of Great War commemoration‘ (18 May 2012), Australian National University video (no transcript)
Wellings (formerly ANU, now Monash University) chairs a discussion with three European academics on issues of comparative commemoration, including the politics attending commemoration in different countries. The Europeans early in the video note the intensity of the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Australia, compared with commemorative exercises in their countries. Aspects of politicisation discussed include French efforts under Presidents Chirac and Sarkozy to generate public enthusiasm around multiple commemorative days, efforts under President Hollande to ‘consolidate’ these days (around 29.00 and after in the video) and inclusion of minorities in national commemoration (Australia, Belgium and Ireland).
