Archival Memory and Sociocultural Reality: A Philosophical and Archival Analysis

<jats:p>This article examines the nature of collective memory as a means of preserving information about the past, as well as a factor that significantly influences the formation of sociocultural reality. From a philosophical perspective, memory serves as a unique form of social consciousness through which historical experience is interpreted, values are defined, and cultural identity is recreated. The purpose of this study is to conduct a theoretical and philosophical analysis of the phenomenon of collective memory as an integral element of sociocultural reality. The focus is on the role of archives, which are viewed as important tools in the formation of historical consciousness and national identity. Research methods: structural-functional, systemic, hermeneutic, comparative, philosophical-reflective, dialectical, and archival analysis. Key Findings. Collective memory, social reality, and archives form an interconnected triad that serves as the foundation of society. Collective memory provides a mechanism for preserving and transmitting cultural and historical meanings, establishing a link between the past and the present. Social reality is the platform on which the achievements shaped by historical memory find their practical expression. Archives play a leading role in this process, serving as the material foundation of collective memory. The scientific novelty of this study lies in conducting a philosophical and archival analysis of the interrelationships between collective memory and sociocultural reality. Particular attention was paid to the role of archives, which are viewed not only as repositories of documentary heritage but also as active agents capable of influencing the formation of collective memory and the process of creating sociocultural reality. The study identified the key mechanisms through which archival information interacts with societal processes of memory, contributing to the development of historical self-awareness and the formation of cultural identity. In addition, a conceptual model of the interaction between collective memory, archives, and sociocultural reality was developed. The practical significance of this work lies in the fact that the research findings have a wide range of practical applications and can serve as a basis for improving the operations of archival institutions, which play a conceptual role as institutions of social memory.</jats:p>