Preceding to the mid-1980s, social theory was silent on the themes of collective memory, memorials and monuments. Since that time, however, interest in these topics, especially in their consequences for ethnic and national identity construction has flowered. The emergence of scholarly interest in memory studies discloses a cultural crisis that is directly linked to the ambiguities in the designation of some events and persons worthy of remembrance. In the face of cultural fragmentation and the delegitimisation of contemporary institutions of solidarity memorials become notable sites of controversy and deliberation. My paper focuses on Péter Nádas' critique of the holocaust memorial in Berlin. After disclosing the theoretical presuppositions of his critique I will put forward an interpretation which re-frames his strong claims as arguments of a Central European discourse on disillusionment with modern politics.