Niepewność, krzywda i żal. Wojna i wysiedlenia w pamięci Łemków
Insecurity, harm and regret: War and discplecement in memory of Lemkos

Summary/Abstract: This article undertakes an analysis of a curated selection of Lemko memoirs with the objective of examining the portrayal of the First and Second World Wars, as well as the post-war displacement experiences documented within them. The emotive character inherent in these passages prompts contemplation on the intricate formation of the collective memory within the Lemko national group. Of particular significance is the persistent representation of narratives depicting unjust repression and the depiction of one’s own community as a tool manipulated by following administrations’ policies. Consequently, the memory of the injustices endured by the Lemko community during World War I and World War II, culminating in the post-war displacements, undergoes transgenerational transmission originating from individual recollections. The camps at Thalerhof and Jaworzno emerge as emblematic symbols of this narrative. By analysing the emotional dimension of these memoirs, the article seeks to elucidate the process of shaping the collective memory of a minority group contrasted against the prevailing narratives constructed by the majority groups.

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