The Independence Day as a nationalist ritual: Framework of the March of Independence in Poland

Abstract

The article contains a cultural analysis of the March of Independence as a symbol of nationalist revival in Poland. The authors analyse the social context of this event, show its history and, inspired by Goffman’s classic approach, describe the theatrical setting of this annual event – its scenography, props, musical setting and costumes (‘patriotic clothing’). In addition to participant observation, the authors analyse materials posted by the organisers of the March of Independence on the YouTube channel. The article presents historical and cultural patterns used by contemporary Polish nationalists – primarily symbols, messages and ideology of nationalists from the interwar period (1918–1939). According to the authors, events such as the March of Independence are a manifestation of local discourse over Western modernisation. The neoliberal order in Eastern Europe cannot do without the help of nationalism – losers of the neoliberal transformation have become the main basis for the ‘national awakening’.