The day that divides Narva: Fireworks from Ivangorod and a 'Putin is a criminal' poster

The city of Narva, straddling the Narva River, has become a symbol of divided identities and conflicting historical narratives. On one side of the river, fireworks from Ivangorod light up the sky, representing one community's perspective. Across the water, a starkly contrasting message is displayed: a poster declaring "Putin is a criminal." This visual juxtaposition underscores a deep societal rift, where two distinct "imagined communities," as described by Barbara Szacka, inhabit the same physical space but live within separate canons of memory. The shared address belies fundamentally different understandings of history, symbols, and significant events, creating a palpable tension within the city. The article suggests that this division is not merely political but deeply rooted in selective historical memory, which shapes the continuous sense of belonging for each group.

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imagined community