General Kazimierz Sosnkowski as the parliamentary Patron of the Year 2025 and his commemoration in contemporary public space

Abstract

The article is devoted to the figure of General Kazimierz Sosnkowski (1885–1969) in the context of his presence in the memory politics of contemporary Poland, particularly in public space. The text is cross-sectional in nature and consists of three interrelated parts. The first part outlines the origins and character of parliamentary resolutions establishing yearly patrons in Poland since 2001, emphasizing their role as tools of historical and educational policy. The second part focuses on the legislative process of the 2024 resolution of the Polish Sejm, which designated 2025 as the Year of General Kazimierz Sosnkowski — from the submission of the proposal, through parliamentary debate, to the final adoption of the document. The third and most extensive, as well as central part of the article, is devoted to Sosnkowski’s biography and his presence in contemporary public discourse. The authors present him as a distinguished yet underappreciated statesman, accomplished military commander, and political figure, whose legacy, despite its significance, remains on the margins of collective memory. They also point to the need to restore Sosnkowski’s rightful place in historical education and cultural memory, especially in the context of current debates on national identity.