New Books in Critical Theory Lucy Jeffery and Anna Váradi, "Replaying Communism: Trauma and Nostalgia in European Cultural Production" (CEU Press, 2025)
Dec 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Anna Váradi, a media studies scholar from Hungary, and Lucy Jeffery, a literature and cultural studies expert, delve into their project on post-socialist memory. They explore the complexities of 'replaying' the communist past, highlighting how trauma and nostalgia intertwine in contemporary cultural production. The duo shares insights on personal memories, inter-generational differences, and the role of museums in shaping collective memory. They also link these themes to current political landscapes, emphasizing the need for diverse narratives in post-communist discourse.
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Childhood Objects Shaped Research Path
- Anna Váradi recounts childhood attachments to a 1962 Hungarian rhyming book and a socialist board game that felt like "socialist Monopoly."
- These personal memories motivated her academic focus on televising the socialist era in Hungary.
Driving A Trabi Inspired The Cover
- Lucy Jeffery and Anna rented and drove a Trabant in Berlin and photographed it for the book cover design.
- The Trabi evoked sensory memories and symbolised the lingering impact of the communist era for them.
Replaying Means Re-Engaging Not Repeating
- "Replaying" means re-engaging with the communist past via contemporary cultural forms, not repeating it verbatim.
- Interactive media like board and video games let younger people create new paths through that history.