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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u2014 Meantime in Russia there are voices saying that not so much the Soviet Union won, but mostly Stalinism, the war brought the reinforcement of the totalitarian power \u2014 emphasized Iwanow, PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zdzis\u0142aw Julian WInnicki, PhD, referred to the Belorussian historical politics: \u2014 It is based on three myths. The first one relates to the mutual fight of all the nations of the Soviet Union against fascism in the victorious Great Patriotic War. It strongly unites Belarusians with Russians, they live the myth of the anti-fascist coalition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 The second myth says that Belarus was the most partisan country during the occupation, although the guerrillas were commanded by Moscow, these were Soviet, not Belarusian guerrillas, explained Professor Winnicki. \u2014<\/a> The third is based on the idea of merging Western Belarus with the Byelorussian SSR on September 17, 1939, that is the unification of the entire nation in one state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 This myth really unites Belarusians: it is both a message of the Belarusian authorities and those who are unfavorable to that authority. This year, September 17 was declared a public holiday in Belarus. It is an element of historical policy that builds the Belarusian national identity \u2014 said the scientist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow does it happen that heroes of one nation are thought by other nation to be criminals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivanov, PhD, said: \u2014 Today in Russia it cannot be said that Stalin reached an agreement with Hitler, the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact is presented as ensuring the strengthening of borders. Contemporary Russian propaganda says that the Poles stabbed the Russians in the back as they heroically fought the fascists. Today, Russia is ruled by nationalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 It seems to me \u2014 said professor Ivanov \u2014 that today most Russians know what Katyn is. After the Smolensk catastrophe, the Russians were very moved, and Andrzej Wajda’s film was shown on Russian television, the researcher said. \u2014 But there is one more crime: in the Warsaw Uprising. Death of 200,000 people allowed by the Red Army. The Ribbentrop-Molotov pact seemed to revive for two months and some murdered while others watched. This is not said to be a crime in Russia \u2014 explained the historian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nProfessor Winnicki recalled the treatment of Home Army soldiers who had so far lived in Belarus: \u2014 Despite our more than 20 years of efforts, Home Army soldiers are the only ones in Belarus who do not have veteran qualifications. Moreover, criminal investigations are being carried out against the ‘murderers of simple people’ and the soldiers of the Home Army are mentioned as suspects, because they ‘fought against the reunification of Belarus’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The professor assesses this situation from the point of view of a political scientist: \u2014 For Belarusians, to recognize the Home Army as combatants is to admit that their fight was fair and that it was the Soviet occupation and not the unification of the state. They cannot recognize it because they would have to deny their own identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs it possible to agree, to write a common history, since the same dates for us Poles are a symbol of a tragedy, and on the other side of the border they are celebrated?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Ivanov believes that yes: \u2014 I believe that there comes a time when it will be possible to build the memory of the Second World War together. Maybe our grandchildren will write this common story, maybe their children…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Winnicki has a different opinion: \u2014 A common history textbook will not be created. We have different visions of goals and heroism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wojciech \u015aleszy\u0144ski, PhD, director of the Sybir Memorial Museum, summed up the discussion: \u2014<\/a> We scientists know that the most important thing is not that we agree, but that we talk. The worst thing is when we stop talking about history. Memory and history are essential to build the present and the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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