Activities of the Emigration Museum in Gdynia with Regard to Developing Symbolic and Identity Ties with the Polish Diaspora

Abstract

This article aims to outline the activities of the Emigration Museum in Gdynia (Polish abbrev. MEG) in building relations with the Polish diaspora and maintaining Polish identity among Poles and people with Polish ancestry living abroad. Its main thesis is that the MEG, as a comparatively small institution, has a relatively large potential for shaping symbolic and identity ties with the Polish diaspora and could potentially be an important actor for activities undertaken in this sphere, implemented as part of a broadly defined policy with regard to and for Poles living abroad. The article consists of an introduction, three main sections and a conclusion. In the first section, we briefly define the diasporic policy in its subject and object dimensions, present selected concepts that typify this policy, and point out the role of culture and cultural institutions in building symbolic and identity ties with the diaspora. The second section was devoted to presenting the history, circumstances of the establishment and organizational basis of the Emigration Museum in Gdynia. The museum, although technically a self-government cultural institution, is the first and only museum in the country to show the history of emigration from Poland and Polish lands in a comprehensive way. Section three, on the other hand, focuses on showcasing selected MEG activities in forming symbolic and identity ties with the Polish diaspora.