Remembering the Lebanese Civil War

Sammanfattning: This study examines the memory of the Lebanese civil war, and the sense of belonging to contemporary Lebanon by interviewing Lebanese immigrants residing in Sweden. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with Lebanese who have personal experiences and interests in the war. The interviews have been holistically analysed and the study concludes that respondents’ discourses surrounding the memory of the war is highly dependent on the individuals sectarian background and party affiliation during the war. The analysis was conducted through a theoretical framework consisting of memory, identity, transnationalism, and discourse and narrative. No respondent has reported a sense of belonging to the nation of Lebanon as it is today, only their personal sphere of society. Either religious or ethnic sphere, or both. The political, economic, and social decline is viewed as a separate entity from the nations cultural and historical heritage. The study’s conclusion of the participants absence of belonging to Lebanon puts politicians at centre, as they are mentioned as responsible for the country’s declining situation. Lebanese are portrayed as blaming the ruling elite and the religious and ethnic groups outside of one’s personal group, with little regard to personal insight and accountability.