Polish National Mythologies

Event Details

Norman Davies, a University of London professor and expert on Polish history, gives a lecture on Polish national mythologies. Davies focuses on four prominent national myths: the Polakcatolica myth, the Antemurale myth, the Piast myth, and the Wernyhora myth. The Piast myth is one that identifies the Polish people with the soil and the peasantry. The Antemurale myth that identifies Poland as a bulwark against that which is not European whether it be infidels, nomads, raiders or communists. The Wernyhora myth emphasizes a harmony of nationalities and states in Central Europe. The Polacatolica myth stresses the messianic role of Catholicism in Poland?s destiny. These themes have been utilized by many political groups throughout Poland?s history. During the questioning session Davies discusses the relationship of mythologies to constitutionalism in Poland, the role of the Polish Pope in preserving mythology, the non-Polish ethnicity of the Polish monarchy, the Anders army, Polish identification with the Hapsburgs, the Katyn forest massacre, and General Sikorski.