The meanings of Auschwitz in Poland, 1945 to the present

Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, holds multiple symbolic meanings in Poland, evolving significantly since 1945. While it is widely recognized as a symbol of the Holocaust, it is not the definitive symbol thereof. This study traces its shifting representations—Polish, international, universalist, and Jewish—across historical periods, analyzing how these meanings have been constructed and contested. By examining various forms of representation, the research reveals that Auschwitz's significance has been dynamically reinterpreted in Polish memory and discourse, reflecting broader debates about history, identity, and remembrance.

Kucia, M. (2019). The meanings of Auschwitz in Poland, 1945 to the present. Holocaust Studies, 25(3), 220–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/17504902.2019.1567658