Siberiada, or the Polish Golgotha in the East. Historical social memory as an element of patriotic education

Abstract

It has been 102 years since Poland regained independence in 1918 and 82 years since the outbreak of World War II. This article, being devoted to the situation of Poles deported deep into the USSR, their martyrdom and even the Holocaust (it was better for the Soviets to destroy them through hard work, not by shooting, saving ammunition), inclines us to reflect on the issues of patriotism, national identity and the issue of security and defense of the country today. The problems discussed here are historically encompassed within the time period of 1939–1943, i.e. the most difficult time for Poles living in the USSR. Let it be a warning to Polish teachers, parents and those who govern the Polish state against a repetition of the described situation. Currently, young people should be educated not only in the spirit of tolerance and respect for other nations, but with the defense of the Polish raison d’état in mind. An important element of education is teaching young generations of Poles to draw conclusions from the past. You cannot live after failures according to the principle that “it’s easy to be wise after the event”. Teaching respect for one’s own freedom, democracy, free elections and opposing any nascent totalitarianism. The article allows to learn about the dramatic fate of Polish exiles in Siberia, evokes them and records their tragedy permanently in the memory of people (generations). It aims at developing the ability to think objectively and assess the causes that led to the martyrdom of Poles in the USSR. It also hopes to influence the adoption of the desired values and attitudes towards current political events in the world.