ARTICLE
Historical Remembrance in Polish-Russian Relations
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Publication date: 2016-09-30
Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations 2016;52(3):65-80
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ABSTRACT
‘Politics of memory’ has become a part of the array of political and ideological
instruments applied in Poland, and has been accepted by mass media and by the
academic circles. Its proponents remain strongly influenced by nostalgic history,
connected with uprising and romantic narration. There are two coexisting but
seemingly contradictory traditions – the tradition of national martyrdom and the
heroic tradition. They go beyond historical remembrance, providing criteria of
rightness in politics, and especially in foreign policy. National interest is defined
in egoistic terms, as the necessity to fight against historical enemies, who threaten
Polish independence.
In the context of Polish–Russian relations, we are facing several types of
historical remembrance – on the level of the political authorities, on the level of
the media, academia and education, religious communities and public opinion.
Especially on the political and media level – but possibly in education – we
are witnessing ongoing public stigmatisation of historical remembrance towards
Russians. This means branding, stigmatising, applying negative labels, rejection or
defacing the image. These activities are intentional and methodical, organised and
deliberate, based on a certain policy; we can therefore claim that they are conducted
with premeditation and preparation.