Memory about World War I in the context of the graves and other forms of commemoration of the soldiers of the Russian Army in territory of Poland and Russia

Dr. Hieronim Grala (Faculty of „Artes Liberales”). PROJECT: Memory about World War I in the context of the graves and other forms of commemoration of the soldiers of the Russian Army in territory of Poland and Russia

Basic elements to research:

1)State of cemetries, graves, monuments, museal exhibitions, and other places and forms of commemoration of the World War I (WWI); this research should be based on representatives objects in Poland and in Moscow region. In Poland we have chosen three places to examine: 1) a cemetery of Russian and German soldiers from the WWI in Orłowo (Nidzica district, Warmia Mazury voivodship, 1101 Russian soldiers buried), 2) a cemetery of Russian and German soldiers from the WWI in Gadka Stara (Rzgów district, Lodz voivodship; mass graves, around 9 thousand soldiers of both armies buried), 3) a cemetery of Russian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers from the WWI in Popkowice (Urzędów district, Lublin voivodship, 391 Russian soldiers buried). The Russian group could chose a cemetery of Russian soldiers in Moscow (Sokol).

We propose a participation in Poland in some of ceremonies related with the anniversaries of the WWI.

2) Memory about the fallen soldiers during WWI. A local interest about it – forms of commemoration, actitude of central and local authorities, schools, guides, tourist information etc.

3) Elements which block or stimulate memory about WWI.

4) Protection of the cemetries and graves from WWI by the state in Poland and Russia. Aspects of international law.