Constructing cultural memory: A memetic approach

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Research on memes has been growing within cultural memory studies. To date, this research has largely focused on the ways in which memes transmit representations of shared pasts. This article, instead, examines how memes are used to construct cultural memory. It makes two arguments: first, that cultural memory can be engineered through memes and can take the form of texts, artefacts or practices. Second, large sets of such memes – ‘memeplexes’ – can help societies not only engage in acts of remembrance, but also help guide their future behaviours and attitudes. However, these processes are problematic, and the article discusses these tensions. The Nobel Peace Prize serves as the article’s case study, with an analysis of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony illustrating its arguments.</jats:p>