FOR BEING UKRAINIAN... MEMORIES... - BOGDAN HUK (ED.)

A touching book that takes us deep into the Ukrainian historical memory. It is a collection of memories that opens our eyes to the difficult Polish-Ukrainian relations during World War II and immediately thereafter. It is an attempt to understand how memory shapes identity and how different perspectives can lead to conflicts.

• Personal accounts of witnesses of history
• Carefully prepared texts
• Insightful look at Polish-Ukrainian relations
• Four chapters full of memories
• Unique perspective on post-war history
• Rich source of knowledge about Ukrainian identity

The book "For Being Ukrainian... Memories..." edited by Bogdan Huk is a collection of Ukrainian memories that shed light on the difficult and painful events during World War II and post-war Poland. In the introduction, the author asks key questions about how Ukrainians in Poland remember these events, what and why they remember in this way, and how their memory is constructed. These are particularly important questions in the context of Polish-Ukrainian relations, where the image of the events of that time is often diametrically different.

The volume consists of twenty-four carefully prepared texts, divided into four chapters. The basic framework of the memories are the accounts of former members of the Ukrainian underground from the areas affected by the fighting of the UPA units operating in south-eastern Poland in the years 1944-1947 as part of the VI Military District of the UPA-West. These are first-hand accounts that allow the reader to immerse themselves in the reality of those times and understand the motivations and experiences of those involved in the Ukrainian resistance movement.

This publication is not only a collection of memories, but also an attempt at dialogue and understanding between Poles and Ukrainians. It shows how different interpretations of history can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, but also how important it is to strive to understand the perspective of the other side. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Polish-Ukrainian relations, as well as for those who want to better understand how memory shapes national identity.

Published by the Association of Ukrainian Political Prisoners and Repressed, the book is an important voice in the discussion about history and memory. It is a testimony of difficult times that should be heard and understood. Thanks to its careful preparation and the diversity of perspectives, this volume is a valuable source of knowledge for researchers, students and anyone interested in the history of Central and Eastern Europe.