BETWEEN KAMIŃSKI AND KUROŃ - HISTORY OF ZHP 1956-1964

The book "Between Kamiński and Kuroń" is a fascinating journey through time, showing the turbulent history of the Polish Scouting Association in the years 1956-1964. It is a story of reborn hope, ideological clashes and a constant struggle for independence. For all lovers of Polish history and the scouting movement, this publication is a real treat.

• In-depth analysis of the evolution of ZHP in difficult times
• Insightful look at the dispute between tradition and ideology
• Detailed descriptions of events and figures related to scouting
• Unique historical materials and eyewitness accounts
• Accessible language and interesting elaboration
• Inspiring reading for every scout and historian
• Hardcover ensuring the durability of the book

Scouting, since its inception at the beginning of the 20th century, has been one of the most important social organizations in Poland, a school of character, civic responsibility and patriotism. After World War II, its ideas proved incompatible with the totalitarian system of Stalinist Poland. After initial attempts to continue independent activity, in 1950 scouting was forced into the framework of the communist organization the Union of Polish Youth and transformed on the Soviet model, stripping it of its traditional symbols and changing its educational methods. In December 1956, on the wave of the thaw, the scouting staff led to the revival of the Polish Scouting Association, the scouting cross and lily, scouting uniforms, skills and degrees returned.

However, in the following years, the authorities again tried to subordinate scouting, the symbolic moment of the end of the thaw in the ZHP was the amendment to the scouting oath made in 1964, to which words about loyalty to the cause of socialism were added. This period from the hopes associated with the revival of the ZHP to the amendment of the oath is the subject of the book Between Kamiński and Kuroń. The evolution of the Polish Scouting Association in the years 1956-1964.

The volume consists of texts by various authors, historians of contemporary history and educators, showing on the one hand the enthusiasm associated with the revival and subsequent, daily educational work of the ZHP, and on the other hand the efforts of the then authorities to prevent scouting from going beyond the framework of activities set by the regime and its ideology. The individual articles present the specifics of youth organizations in the countries of the Soviet bloc, an outline of the history of post-war scouting, especially in the period 1956-1964, and the evolution of the words of the scouting oath.