- Center for Urban History
- 6 Bohomoltsia Str. Lviv 79005, Ukraine
Polish national anniversaries
The second half of the 19th century in Europe was the time of nationalism, mass rituals and commemoration, which were to strengthen the position of the then elites. In celebrating birthdays of the emperors of Russia or Austria-Hungary, republican holidays in France or anniversaries of Germany's victories, official patriotism was complemented by the practice of honoring writers and other "national heroes." Through the involvement of large masses of the population (due to rail transport and the press) it was possible to turn subjects into nations.
Polish society did not remain aside from these processes. Celebrating the anniversaries of past victories proved to be a much safer activity than preparing for a new uprising. Besides, it was perceived as more patriotic than "organic work." Moreover, in the conditions of the division between Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, the Polish elites emphasized the "construction of society" without challenging the existing empires.
