The Oral History Archive of Cieszyn Silesia—an Open Social Project Cover Image

Archiwum Historii Mówionej Śląska Cieszyńskiego — społeczny projekt otwarty
The Oral History Archive of Cieszyn Silesia—an Open Social Project

Author(s): Grażyna Kubica, Alina Doboszewska
Subject(s): Anthropology, Sociology
Published by: Instytut Studiów Politycznych PAN
Keywords: social archive; archiwum społeczne; oral history; historia mówiona; research into everyday life; badania codzienności; Cieszyn Silesia as a traditional society divided by a national border; Śląsk

Summary/Abstract: This text concerns work connected with the organization of the Oral History Archive of Cieszyn Silesia [Archiwum Historii Mówionej Śląska Cieszyńskiego], an initiative combining academic research interests with the activism of the non-governmental sector. The archivization projects showcase the culture of Cieszyn Silesia on both sides of the national border dividing the region; they highlight the cultural pluralism of the past and the multi-faith nature of contemporary times. They also value women’s voices. The methodology of the projects consists in filming narrative interviews addressing important issues agreed upon by the research collective. Two films of oral history were produced on the basis of the material acquired. The entire enterprise is part of the movement of establishing social archives to protect cultural heritage by retrieving and preserving social memory, activating local communities, and conducting educational activities about the collected materials.

  • Issue Year: 63/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 143-151
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Polish