Koper, 12–13 February 2026 – The international scientific workshop “Cultural Memory, Public Spheres and Social Media” took place at the Grand Hotel Koper, bringing together distinguished scholars and experts to discuss contemporary approaches to cultural memory, digital public spheres, artificial intelligence, and political discourse. The workshop was organised by the Institute IRRIS within the framework of the Horizon Europe project SoMe4Dem – Social Media for Democracy (Grant Agreement No. 101094752).
Over two days, participants examined how memory politics unfold across hybrid media environments, how digital platforms shape commemorative practices, and how AI-driven methodologies transform the study of public discourse. Panels featured contributions on cultural memory frameworks, algorithmic risks, political narratives online, and the digital afterlives of mnemonic practices.
A key highlight of the event was the round table “Divided Memories in a Shared Public Space: Challenges of Public Debate on the Past”, held on 13 February. Dr. Borut Klabjan, a historian specialising in memory politics in border regions, took part as one of the invited speakers. Alongside journalists and experts from Slovenia and Italy, he addressed questions of divided historical narratives, the role of media in shaping public debate, and the challenges of navigating contested memories in shared societal spaces. The round table was moderated by Stefano Lusa and held in Slovenian and Italian.
The session was organised jointly within the Horizon Europe project SoMe4Dem and the research project “Divided Memory and the Collectivisation of Individual Memories in Slovenia between 1941 and 1996” (ARIS J6‑60100), further highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research into memory, identity and public communication.
The workshop provided a valuable forum for exchanging insights into how digital technologies reshape cultural memory and public discourse, reaffirming the relevance of critical research on democratic debate in contemporary media ecosystems.
