The Europeanization of Holocaust and World War II Memory in Poland – General Remarks

Abstract

The article presents a summary of the refl ections and research of the author (and the wider research team) on the Europeanization of heritage and memory in Holocaust and World War II museums, exhibitions and educational projects in Poland and gives a theoretical overview on the issue. In how far does the Polish way of commemoration refl ect the postulates of academic research in this fi eld? Currently in Europe, the trend in historical museums shifts from the sheer presentation of the past towards a more open format, including references to human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination. Furthermore, European museology develops towards being a platform of democratic discussion and the negotiation of meanings. What can be the potential role of Polish Holocaust and World War II museums? And how are these postulates in practice realized in cultural institutions and museums dealing with one of the greatest disasters in modern history? The research sample included the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, the State Museum at Majdanek, the Home Army Museum in Kraków, the Ulma Family Museum of Poles Saving Jews in World War II in Markowa and a number of other institutions in Poland.