World War II and Two Occupations

Using different methods and representing various academic disciplines, the authors of this anthology analyse Polish memory of the Nazi and Stalinist occupations, which are key components of Polish collective identity. The book presents the shape and social conditions of this memory as well as the conflicts and dilemmas related to it.

Anna Wolff-Pow?ska is Professor of History and Political Sciences at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Faculty Pozna?). She was associated with the Institute for Western Affairs and the Adam Mickiewicz University at Pozna? (Poland). She researches Polish-German relations, and political ideas in Europe. Piotr Forecki is Assistant Professor at the Section of Political Culture at the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, Adam Mickiewicz University in Pozna? (Poland). His academic research concerns the Polish memory of the Holocaust, the representation of the Holocaust in films and comics, and anti-Semitism in public discourse in Poland.

Contents: World War II – Politics of Memory – Victims, Polish People’s Republic – Soviet Occupation of Poland – German Occupation of Poland – Museums and Memory Policy – Polish Film – Representation of the Soviet Occupation – Polish Theatre – Collective Memory – Stalinism – Nazism – Stereotypes – Biographical experience – Schoolbooks.