ABSTRACT

Bringing together the work of sociologists, historians, and political scientists, this book explores the increasing importance of the politics of memory in central and eastern European states since the end of communism, with a particular focus on relations between Ukraine and Poland. Through studies of the representation of the past and the creation of memory in education, mass media, and on a local level, it examines the responses of Polish and Ukrainian authorities and public institutions to questions surrounding historical issues between the two nations. At a time of growing renationalization in domestic politics in the region, brought about by challenges connected with migration and fear of Russian military activity, this volume asks whether international cooperation and the stability of democracy are under threat. An exploration of the changes in national historical culture, The Politics of Memory in Poland and Ukraine will appeal to scholars with interests in memory studies, national identity, and the implications of memory-making for contemporary relations between states.

chapter |17 pages

Introduction

How historical cultures change and how we can study this

part I|63 pages

Past roots and contemporary manifestations of differences in the historical cultures of Poland and Ukraine

part II|83 pages

State historical education

chapter 6|16 pages

Scholar, organizer, witness, and more

Multiple roles of history teachers in contemporary Ukraine

chapter 8|14 pages

Culture of peace in development and regression

Ukrainian culture in Polish culture in the twentieth century and today

chapter 9|16 pages

Opponents in battle, allies in suffering

A dualistic picture of Poland and Poles in Ukrainian history textbooks

part III|41 pages

Media as a creator and a transmitter of representations of the past

chapter 10|19 pages

History and the media

Historical discourse in the Polish media on the 100th anniversary of Poland's independence

part IV|44 pages

History, collective memory, and social actors in the local communities

chapter 12|21 pages

Memory capital in a local community

The Wąchock case study

chapter |7 pages

Afterword