Polish-Ukrainian Borderland Cultural Heritage Bridges—Lesson Drawn from Forced Population Relocation

Bohdan Cherkes,Karol Król,Magdalena Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk,Józef Hernik

doi:10.3390/su13147898

Bohdan Cherkes, Karol Król + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147898

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Jul 15, 2021
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Agriculture in Krakow

Abstract

Due to the turbulent history, unstable political situation, and the diverse ethnic composition of the population, there are numerous and varied cultural heritage objects in the Polish-Ukrainian borderland area, which has also developed characteristic landscape forms. The aim of the paper is to identify the elements of Polish cultural heritage that have remained in the collective memory of inhabitants of the Ukrainian side of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland 75 years after the forced relocation. The questionnaire survey was carried out in 2019 in selected cities of Eastern Galicia, namely, Zhovkva, Mostyska, Horodok, and Rava-Ruska. The study demonstrated that even 75 years after the forced relocation, Polish cultural heritage is still alive and has an effect on the development of the border towns and cities of Eastern Galicia. It is the elements of non-material culture, including the gastronomic culture of relocated nations, that have been preserved the best in the collective memory of borderland inhabitants. The Ukrainian population also demonstrated a good knowledge of Polish traditions and Catholic feasts as well as folk songs and Christmas carols. These are “cultural heritage bridges” that may serve as both a forum for mutual understanding and a platform for a dialogue and cooperation.

Highlights

Over the last several years, the status of the Polish borderlands has changed radically.In the post-war years, the borderlands were areas on which secret services and strategists primarily focused their attention
The aim of the paper is to identify the elements of Polish cultural heritage that have remained in the collective memory of the inhabitants of the Ukrainian side of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland 75 years after the forced relocation
The questionnaire survey demonstrated that the memories of the gastronomic culture of relocated nations have remained in the respondents’ consciousness for the longest time

Summary

Introduction

In the post-war years, the borderlands were areas on which secret services and strategists primarily focused their attention. As the opportunities to cross national border increased, the borderlands became an area of contact, clash, and cooperation among representatives of different cultures and interests [1]. The multicultural past of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland has been largely destroyed by genocide, ethnic cleansing, deportations, and various nationalism-based ethnic conflicts [3]. Since 1989, pilgrims, survivors, tourists as well as religious, political, and social activists have been re-discovering the Polish-Ukrainian borderland. Ukrainians, Jews as well as Russian and western travellers cross borders in search of memories of their childhood, places of deportation, war experiences, or, the province they have lost [4]

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