Resolving antagonistic tensions . Some discourse analytic reflections on verbal commemorative practices

The title presupposes the existence of several tensions: those between keeping silent and breaking silence, and those between an unresolved question and the trial to make a break so as to find some resolution. Violent and unjust events from the past linger on. These narratives define collective identities. The realization of negative emotions calls for inevitably violent action, whereas positive emotions call for some form of communicative action. Mentions speeches by German Chancellor Brandt in 1970 when he visited Warsaw, and two speeches by Queen Beatrix, the Dutch Head of State in 1994-95