A History (Re)Interpretation in the Name of Truth : Memory Culture and Cultural Policy in Poland after 1989

• The focus of this contribution lies in the significance of cultural heritage for various institutional and state actors, and its connection to the well-being of democracy within the country. It is widely acknowledged that Poland, between World War II and 1989, was within the sphere of influence of the Soviet state. Consequently, the teaching and interpretation of history in schools had to adhere to guidelines established by the Ministry of Education. However, the fact that the state retains authority over curricula and syllabi, with specific state institutions responsible for designing the educational program, is generally accepted, and there is a general consensus that in liberal democracies, someone must oversee the school curriculum. At the same time, it is also widely recognized that state institutions and their work on educational policies, as well as the content of education, can be influenced by present political interests. Therefore, the more intriguing question arises: at what point does state influence over the public’s understanding of the country’s history become so significant that it can be considered as state intervention in the national cultural heritage? In other words, when does history in the public sphere become uncomfortably unfamiliar and incomprehensible to generations who have personally experienced the past?

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

memory culture

cultural policy

democratic participation in creating history

cultural heritage

history writing

national history

Historia

History

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

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