Memorializing 9/11 Outside the USA. Reasons, Functions, and Reactions (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2017 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 1,7, University of Regensburg, language: English, abstract: This term paper focuses on the topic of 9/11 memorials outside the USA and discusses the reasons behind them, their function and the reactions of others.

First, an introduction to the subject of memorials and the need for public grieving will be given to provide a theoretical foundation. Here, it will be stated why memorials became such an important part of our culture and what motivates people to plan and build these monuments. Subsequently, the attention will be drawn to three concrete memorials outside the USA. Their individual previous history will be explained to find out which circumstances led to their building. Finally, it will be discussed which functions memorials outside the US have and why there can also be found a lot of negative response on the part of the general public.

One way of dignifying the dead is building memorials. Memorials are an important part of human culture. Not only do they inherit the possibility to express strong emotions like pride, elation, or sorrow, they also serve the purpose of reminding future generations of very glorious or traumatic events of world history.

One of the most dramatic incidents of the 21st century surely is the terrorist attack of 9/11 when terrorists were to blame for the lives of almost 3000 human beings. After the first shock had been overcome and after temporary memorials had disappeared from the public places, people thought about creating permanent sites of grieving; a wave of 9/11 memorials spilled over the landscape of the USA. What many people do not know: not only did the Americans project memorials in memory of the terrorist attacks, but also (mostly European) foreign countries planned on building 9/11 memorials.