Poland Should Learn From Russia How to Commemorate V-Day - Journalist

Poles should take the example of Russia in commemorating Victory Day and not to rewrite history for political reasons, a Polish journalist believes.

History long ago became an instrument for politicians to achieve their own goals in the international arena, and it is especially evident in Poland, a Polish journalist from Obserwator Polityczny believes.

In his article "It Will Be too Late" he calls on the Polish people to take the example of Russia in order to learn "the interesting and true history of their country."

According to the article, "history is a strange science seeming to describe events of the past which we, our parents and grandparents remember."

"So it looks like there is no problem in determining historic facts. However, history changes when political leaders come and go. Leaders turned history into a means to justify their behavior and actions," the author added.

The journalist underscored that politicization of the World War II history has always been on the rise in Poland.

Leaders cherry pick moments and events of the war which could be used to justify their political course at a certain period.

For instance, before the 1990s an increased focus was put on the Nazi Germany’s offensive in Poland on September 1, 1939. However, later emphasis was shifted to September 17, 1939 when the Red Army began its attack.

"The fact that in 1939 our allies easily passed Poland under the influence of the Soviet Union has also been forgotten."

The journalist wrote that Victory Day is a very important holiday for the Russian people. On May 9 Russians make "generous symbolic gestures" to veterans, he adds.

Poland should learn from Russia, however this initiative is "practically impossible in the modern Poland," the author surmised.

Nevertheless, he calls on Poles to take time to speak to their parents and grandparents to learn the true history of their country.