Authors
Małgorzata Głowacka-Grajper1; 1 University of Warsaw, Poland Discussion
The issue of tangible post-imperial Russian heritage in Poland is especially interesting because of its diverse forms of presence and the different meanings it carries. In Polish social memory, the period of tsarist rule is mainly linked to martyrdom and heroic stories about the fight for independence. However, this is no longer considered “hot” memory today, as it has been overshadowed by major 20th-century events, including World War II and the communist era. During the short period of independence between the two world wars, Polish authorities removed many symbols connected to tsarist imperialism, such as monuments and Orthodox churches. Still, objects like some Orthodox churches, cemeteries, public buildings, and urban infrastructure from the Tsarist period remain. They can be seen as a ‘negative heritage,’ although most of their history remains hidden from local residents and visitors.
In my presentation, I will explore the connection between state narratives of memory and local practices related to material heritage, using examples from three communities. The first is Warsaw, where most Orthodox churches were torn down after Poland regained independence in 1918. However, two churches from that time still stand in Warsaw, mainly serving Orthodox migrants and students today. The second is Łódź, a city that grew due to imperial economic policies and is one of the few places where no Orthodox churches were demolished during the interwar period; they remain functional today. The third community is Białystok, a multicultural region's capital, where the Orthodox church built under Tsarist orders was torn down. Yet, other churches have served the community for centuries, and the Orthodox community remains important in these areas today. I will analyze the stories about the history of post-imperial Orthodox churches in these communities and examine how they are included or excluded from local material heritage. 
