Memories of the Corona Lockdown: A Case Study of Romanian Memes on Facebook
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Abstract
This article investigates how memes shaped collective memory during the COVID-19 pandemic on popular Romanian Facebook meme pages (MPs). Focusing from March 10 to May 15, 2020, the study captures critical phases, including initial response and restrictions, state of emergency, healthcare challenges, social adaptation, and transition to a state of alert. This timeframe was significant as it encompassed early visual communication of preventive measures, the implementation of lockdowns, strain on healthcare systems, adaptation to new social norms, and a shift toward gradual reopening. Using quantitative and qualitative analyses with case studies, we examined 1293 posts from four MPs (Junimea, Ion Creangă, Omu Paiangăn, and 2Meme). Data collection involved manual browsing and the social media analytics tool Popsters, with detailed analysis of the most liked image macros and video memes. Findings reveal notable aspects of meme culture during the pandemic, highlighting their multidimensional impact on collective memory formation.
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