Paper short abstract:

With the advent of the Internet, the mechanisms of communication and socialization, the ways of self-perception and self-presentation have changed. Many new phenomena have emerged, one of which is a digital commemoration.

Paper long abstract:

With the advent of the Internet, the mechanisms of communication and socialization, the ways of self-perception and self-presentation have changed. Many new phenomena have emerged, one of which is a digital commemoration.

Digital commemorative practices are forms and methods of constructing, preserving and transferring historical memory, as well as activities aimed at representing past events associated with the use of information technologies.

The paper is devoted to digital commemorations initiated by representatives of the New African Diaspora. This term and the concept of the division of African Diaspora into the Old one and the New, were coined by a historian, Toyin Falola. According to Falola, the “New African Diaspora” has been formed by voluntary African immigrants in the late 20th century.

Compared to the Old African diaspora, created by the transatlantic slave trade, the New one looks more heterogeneous and includes people of various social and professional statuses: political refugees, illegal migrants, students, highly sought-after professionals, representatives of the creative class. The members of the New African Diaspora tend to historical reflection. They are often striving to represent their experience and identity in all available forms.

The paper shows and analyzes the various types of representing the historical memory in the narratives presented by members of the New African Diaspora. The author focuses on different forms of interactive digital narrative and digital commemorations (on examples such as “The Nana Project” and “Biafran War Memories”).