Narracje historyczne w niemieckim dyskursie publicznym – wybrane problemy i implikacje dla Polski

Abstract

The main purpose of the research was to analyze selected elements of the German discourse on historical narratives present in public space and to determine the implications for Poland thereof. German- and Polish-language monographs and studies related to the issues of historical narratives and Polish-German relations were used and the content of selected German press materials was analyzed. The author used the method of analyzing history discourse, and the source analysis of selected German-language documents was made. The autor defined the concept of historical narratives and analyzed terminology used in German historical discourse. The author pointed out the role of The Federation of Expellees (BdV) and political organizations in public discourse. The role of anniversaries and historical of the World War II in German cinema were identified. Such analysis was the basis for describing importance of this proces for Poland. The main reference point in German narratives about World War II that are present in public space is the memory of the Holocaust. At the same time, the process of consistent promotion of the memory of German victims of war continues in Germany, taking place simultaneously on many levels. In parallel, the memory of the crimes committed during World War II by the Nazi regime on Poles is in the background, which is still a serious gap in German narratives of that period and also requires the Polish side to take further action to change this situation. Germany’s important instrument for promoting a positive narrative about the latest history of Germany is promoting the memory of the fall of the Berlin Wall and therefore further strengthening the image of Germany on the international stage.