Modern Polish Historiography of the Holodomor in 1932-1933

Abstract

The purpose. Presenting the perception of the issue of the Holodomor in 1932—1933, as well as showing the ongoing debates and interpretations of its causes, course, and effects in Polish scientific literature. Moreover, a presentation of the most important literature in Polish historiography relating to the issue of the Holodomor in Ukraine.

The methodology. In connection with the issues raised in this article, the Polish literature on the subject was thoroughly acquainted and then subjected to a classic research analysis to determine its cognitive value. The historical method was also used.

Scientific novelty. Reflecting the Polish point of view on the Holodomor issue. The article also highlights the issue of collections of Polish archival documents and photos, or the “post-famine village”, where this topic in Polish historiography is de facto discussed only by Robert Kuśnierz.

Main results. So far, in Polish historiography, there has been only one scientific monograph covering the entire issue of the Holodomor of 1932—1933, and this is the work by Robert Kuśnierz, “Ukraine in the Years of Collectivization and the Great Famine (1929—1933)”. This work was published in 2005 and is the author’s doctoral thesis entitled “Ukraine during the Great Famine”, which the author wrote under the supervision of Prof. Tadeusz Radzik. The Toruń Scientific Publishing House Grado reissued it in 2008 and 2012. The publication in 2008 of three collections based on Polish archival documents is certainly an enrichment of Polish historiography on the subject of the Holodomor: “The Famine in Ukraine in 1932—1933 in the Light of Polish Diplomatic and Intelligence Documents” by Robert Kuśnierz, “The Great Famine in Ukraine in the Documents of Polish Diplomacy and Intelligence” by Jan Jacek Bruski, and “The Collection the Great Famine in Ukraine 1932—1933” published by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance. Conclusions. The contribution of Polish historiography to world historiography is important, although it should be noted that when it comes to research directly related to the problems of Poles during the collectivization of villages and the Great Famine, the literature in this field is very modest. The only work devoted to this topic is the collective publication “Holodomor. Poland. Polish Victims 1932—1933”, edited by Michał Dworczyk and Robert Kuśnierz, which was mentioned in the article.