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(21-22) Postwar Memory in El Salvador

Master Dissertation Brussels
2021-2022 – Harold Fallon

Postwar Memory in El Salvador
community based memorialization architecture in
Chalatenango, El Salvador
Master Dissertation Brussels
2021-2022 – Harold Fallon

Photo: Commemoration in Las Aradas, May 2019

“The Surviving Memory in Postwar El Salvador collaborative research initiative is an international partnership of survivors, scholars, artists, lawyers, museums, architects, community organizers, municipal governments, civil society organizations and mental health professionals who are committed to documenting the history of the Salvadoran Civil War (1980-1992) and preventing future violence. Using decolonial and participatory methodologies, our goal is to engage in high-impact, community-driven research projects, oral histories, and accessible knowledge sharing activities that approach historical memory work holistically through the intersections of justice; art, music, and theatre; intergenerational education; testimonies; mental health and healing; commemoration;(…)” (source : www.elsalvadormemory.org)

After the design of a Memorial for the Sumpul Massacare in Chalatenango (started in 2018, currently being realised), an ambitious extension of the project is now being developed by Western University (Canada) with KU Leuven and other institutions for a period of seven years. Regarding architecture, the project includes the design of two small museums, exhibtions, secondary memorial sites, trails, etc.

Rather than a single assignment, the Master Thesis consists in joining the team(s) in their efforts, resulting possibly in engaging in several smaller projects and identifying project opportunities.

Studio description (pdf)

Course assignment (pdf)