Poles, unlike other nations, do not carefully preserve documentation of their history. The memories and experiences of generations are pushed to the margins of everyday life. As a result, society is becoming increasingly atomized, and people no longer feel a sense of national and social connection. Witnesses to World War II and the events of August 1944, whose 60th anniversary is now being commemorated, are dying. Only three people who took part in the Warsaw Uprising still live in Bolesławiec. Approximately thirty combat veterans, that is, former soldiers who took part in the war, remain.
- Shells came from the east – An interview with Leon Dąbrowski, a participant in the Warsaw Uprising
- The oath, sabotage and a horse – An interview with Stanisław Żurowski, a combat veteran and soldier of the Home Army
Brotherhood and heroism
The 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising prompts reflection. It turns out that one in four Poles does not know that the conflict concerned Poland and Germany. Young people have the least knowledge in this area – this is according to a study conducted at the end of 2003 by the Estymator company. Poles have unambiguous feelings when thinking about the Warsaw Uprising. Heroism, martyrdom, brotherhood and glory are the terms that come to mind for most of them. But the Uprising is also associated with defeat. Interestingly, this association is stronger among older people. Associations with words such as disgrace and cowardice are almost entirely absent.
On Boleslawiec.org, we are publishing two interviews with members of the World Association of Home Army Soldiers. Among other things, the association is involved in educating young people, co-organizing competitions on knowledge of the underground state, and organizing academic symposia for secondary-school students. The veterans publish an Information Bulletin documenting the association’s activities from the moment it was founded.
Marcin Zabawa