The Museum Appropriation of German Cultural Heritage:
A Case Study of Allenstein/Olsztyn
The Museum Appropriation of German Cultural Heritage:
A Case Study of Allenstein/Olsztyn
Author(s): Agnieszka PufelskaSubject(s): Museology & Heritage Studies
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: German cultural heritage; post-WWII re-Polonization; Museum of Warmia and Masuria in Olsztyn; looting and appropriation; common history; museum narratives;
Summary/Abstract: The article examines the contested legacy of German cultural heritage in regions such asWarmia and Masuria, which now belong to Poland. After the Second World War, theseareas were transformed through destruction, re-Polonization and the erasure of Germanidentity. Cultural artifacts were looted, destroyed or reinterpreted to fit Poland’s nationalistnarratives, as exemplified by the museum in Olsztyn. However, recent efforts have beenaimed at overcoming these divisions by recognizing the common multicultural history ofthese regions. The article calls for a more inclusive approach to cultural heritage, whichtakes into account complexity and promotes dialogue, rather than maintaining narrownational perspectives.
Journal: Sprawy Narodowościowe
- Issue Year: 2024
- Issue No: 56
- Page Range: 1-16
- Page Count: 16
- Language: English
