Towarzysze czy strażnicy pamięci? Na przykładzie Muzeum KL Plaszow

Abstract

COMPANIONS OR GUARDIANS OF MEMORY? A CASE STUDY OF THE MUSEUM OF KL PLASZOW

The paper describes the process of establishing the Museum of KL Plaszow in Kraków (MKLP) and the social consequences thereof. The sequence of actions undertaken in the formal sphere resulted in the post-camp area losing its neutral character, which in turn met with opposition from the local community of Kraków. Most of all, a redefinition of the understanding of the concept of a memorial site took place in the public discourse, and there was a growing need to identify the primary memory of the said space. The ongoing dispute, axiological in nature, had an impact on all the engaged parties, and in the case of the Museum it led not only to some concessions regarding the form of commemoratiom (e.g. lack of a fence), but also to the reflection which, in turn, results in the gradual change in our interpretation of the memorial site itself and the role of its guardian. And even though from the perspective of scholars (e.g. Nora, Bauman, Kapralski) this particular conflict, as well as other, similar ones, are an inherent part of contemporaneity, it becomes a challenge for an institution which understands theoretical analyses to rework and internalize this process in its day-to-day practice.