The role of museums in preserving cultural memory

The article examines the role of museums in preserving and broadcasting the cultural memory of society. The functions of the museum as an institution ensuring the continuity of generations, the formation of national and local identity, as well as the influence of museums on collective consciousness and identity are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the concepts of cultural memory by Jan Assman, the “place of memory” by Pierre Nord and Paul Ricoeur, highlighting the theoretical foundations of cultural memory. It is noted that through artifacts, symbols, images and historical narratives, museums form a sense of belonging and continuity, strengthening collective memory and maintaining cultural identity. In this sense, the museum becomes a space where cultural identity is constructed and experienced, which is important both on an individual and on a social level. The article examines the challenges of the digital age and the ethical dilemmas of museum activity in a modern world filled with contradictions and conflicts of values.