Историческая память в польско-российских отношениях
HISTORICAL REMEMBRANCE IN POLISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

Summary/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 theheroic 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 – weare 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.

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