Language:
Polish
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Przegląd Socjologiczny
Angaben zur Quelle:
49,2 (2000) 141-166
Keywords:
Auschwitz (Concentration camp)
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
Abstract:
Discusses the role of Auschwitz today in the conflict of memory of three ethnic groups: Poles, Jews, and Gypsies, and reflects on the place of collective memory in the building of identity. Notes that memory of Auschwitz is an important symbol for assimilated American Jews. Relates to the image of Auschwitz in communist Poland, where the fate of the Jews was completely erased. The Jews were presented as Poles, Frenchmen, Austrians, etc., and only the Polish-Nazi conflict was discussed and taught in schools. After the fall of communism, conflicts arose between Poles and Jews regarding the memory of Auschwitz. Poles, in a difficult process of redefining their collective memory, understood the importance of Jewish memory of Auschwitz. The Jews became aware that other nationalities, and especially Poles, were murdered in Auschwitz. Discusses the issue of "the defense of the papal cross" in order to show how the transformation process of the Polish identity revealed the weakness of the traditional interpretation of the past.
Note:
With an English summary.
URL:
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