Comments on: September 1st in Polish History

By: Gary Sroka

Gary Sroka — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:41:08 +0000

Regarding WWII knowledge amongst Polish youth, I noticed on the Kino Polska movie channel I receive on Dish Network, there were several movies shown throughout last week regarding the onset of WWII in Poland. “Agent Nr 1″, Sasiedzi and Westerplatte are three that I saw. Not sure this channel is seen in Poland or is it something just for overseas satellite viewers. Of course, just because they’re being aired, doesn’t mean the kids are tuning off Swiat Wedlug Kiepskich, or whatever they seem to watch.

By: Thomas Westcott

Thomas Westcott — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:49:25 +0000

History is wasted on the young as they think only about now.

And furthermore; youth is wasted on the young as they do not know what to do with it.

By: Westerplatte Film Controversy | Polish Blog

Westerplatte Film Controversy | Polish Blog — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:12:50 +0000

[...] Polish Blog « September 1st in Polish History [...]

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:36:43 +0000

Gary,
I think the problem is that for most young kids this is “ancient” history. To most of them even communism is something they’ve only heard about from their parents.
But Polish youngsters are not unique in their relative ww2 ignorance, though. It seems to be a rather common trend in the UK, too (not to mention the US – there it’s a total disaster!).
Sad but true.

PS. I should add here that it’s not that the kids don’t know what happened on Sept 1st, they do, but since it’s not a top priority to them, ww2 is not something that immediately pops into their minds when asked about the date.

By: Gary Sroka

Gary Sroka — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:47:46 +0000

I am quite surprised Anna, how you relate to us about the knowledge of Polish history and laxadazical approach to it by Polish school students. I know (at least at one time anyway) the expression “Nigdy Nie” was widely used and seen on posters etc… loosely meaning “never again” relative to keeping history alive in people’s minds so as to never repeat itself again, because, as the saying goes, “history repeats itself”. This is all the more surprising as it’s in reference to a historical event as catastrophic to Poland as World War 2 was.

I do enjoy all your blog entries, besides the language aspects itself, they also give insight into Polish life and culture.

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:21:34 +0000

Hi Z!
Exactly! They probably think I’m totally brain damaged if I have to ask about it

By: Zebedee

Zebedee — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:25:47 +0000

Polish children giving you a blank stare if you ask about the significance of the first of September? I would have thought every single one could tell you it’s the first day of the school year.