In Milan Kundera's "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting," the author explores the concept of memory and identity through the lens of cultural erasure. He posits that the first action in the process of eliminating a people involves the systematic destruction of their historical records, literature, and cultural artifacts. By obliterating these fundamental elements, a nation can begin to lose its sense of self.

Kundera argues that once a culture's memory is erased, new narratives can be imposed, leading to the creation of a fabricated identity. This manipulation not only alters how a people perceive their past but also how they understand their present and future. Through this cycle, a nation risks complete forgetfulness, losing the core of what makes it unique and significant.