Kiedy było nojlepij? Za Stalina – o znaczeniu dywersyfikacji źródeł w badaniach nad pamięcią społeczną. Na przykładzie Wierszyny – polskiej wsi na Syberii

Abstract

The research on social memory is an interdisciplinary study on thoughts, memories and feelings, which are available only through their various manifestations: memoirs, oral heritage, lieux de memoire, monuments. Because of its nature, social memory cannot be objective – it always belongs to a certain group or individual. Except of the sources mentioned above, the researchers may also use scientific works on a given community, reportages, popular and newspaper articles. The multiplicity of sources and their differentiation require a specific approach by the researchers. In order to show the intersubjective state of collective memory in the given group it is important to diversify and hierarchize sources. The example of Wierszyna, a village founded in Siberia in early 20th century by voluntary settlers, shows the challenges to objectivity of research on social identity and collective memory, that arise as a result of overestimation of the role of certain sources