The Urban Memory Foundation (UMF), Wrocław, Poland
There are places in Poland, like Jewish cemeteries or concentration camp sites, that are designated as Spaces of Difficult Heritage, because they evoke tensions due to different interpretation of history and the contemporary ways of managing these physical spaces. According to our observations there are no established standards for work in and with these spaces, especially when involving local governments, individual citizens, and the minorities. The subject is particularly difficult in cities where there exists a large competition for every square inch of the available real estate. As a result, the subject often provokes hostile attitudes from local governments and divides communities involved. These spaces and places are at danger of becoming forgotten or built over and erased.
We will address these issues by taking action in two cities – Cracow, a site of KL Plaszów concentration camp, and Wrocław – where a Jewish cemetery has been removed from Gwarna street after the war. We will organize a social campaign directed at local populations of these cities. It will teach the youth and other citizens about history, identity, and ways of remembering. Additionally, it will flag the antisemitism issues that are still present in some cases. We will train 50 volunteers, 18 to 25 years old, in both cities, to interview local communities. They will talk to them about plans for developing the Spaces of Difficult Heritage. We will ask the Jewish community and the local government to share their thoughts as well. Together we will create recommendations and generate ideas for the places presented in the report. We will share our tools and practices for good stewardship of these spaces with other local governments in Poland.
We will collaborate on the project with our partner from Wrocław – Urban Memory Foundation, and with the Polish Scouts Association, Cracow Chapter, which will support us with their staff and experience working with historic sites.
