The challenge of commemoration. Cases from Poland and Germany
The challenge of commemoration. Cases from Poland and Germany
Author(s): Kristina SmolijaninovaitėSubject(s): Studies in violence and power, WW II and following years (1940 - 1949), History of the Holocaust, History of Antisemitism, Politics of History/Memory
Published by: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej im. Jana Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego we Wrocławiu
Keywords: Poland and Germany; Commemorating history; Narratives of heroism; Memory;
Summary/Abstract: In Poland during the communist period and until 1989, it was nearly impossible to openly talk about the Second World War. First, due to friendship with the Soviet Union and later, after the fall of communism, Poland was busy creating its own government, introducing the democratic culture and fighting with an economic crisis in order to transform the country it became between 1989 and 2000. After this period, history and commemoration events started to play a very important role for the national and political identity of the country. Like in other Central and Eastern European states, Poland is an example of how history is used as a political tool in the museum narratives and exhibition forms, which also trigger conflicts.
Journal: New Eastern Europe
- Issue Year: 2020
- Issue No: 05 (43)
- Page Range: 177-183
- Page Count: 7
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF