Paper short abstract:

I will present the various aspects of emotions displayed in public by Polish people, evoked by the national tragedy that happened on the 10th of April 2010 at Smolensk. At the same time, I will show, how and why the same symbols, that once united Polish people, seem to divide them now.

Paper long abstract:

The very turbulent history of Poland has united the society and the Catholic Church in the fights for national independence throughout centuries. Hence, manifest is the occurrence of religious symbols and songs, along with patriotic ones, in all major Polish battles, as well as in the struggles with the communist system. One could expect, however, that after 1990 there would be no need to refer to them on the political scene. The 10th of April 2010 - the day of the greatest tragedy in Polish modern history, when the airplane with the President of Poland and many representatives of the Polish political and ecclesiastical elite crushed at Smolensk - proved something different. That very same day people started to spontaneously gather in public places in Poland (churches, sites of national memory, at the President's Palace, etc.). The week after the crash was especially full of public displays of emotions by Poles. These emotions are still present - now centered on the cross that was erected on the square in the front of the President's Palace and which was to be removed from there on the 3rd of August 2010. This transfer to a nearby church was hindered by a crowd of people maintaining a constant vigil.

Basing on my direct observations, conversations with people (both participants of the gatherings and outsiders), as well on information drawn from the media and press, I will present the various aspects of emotions displayed in public by Polish people, evoked by the national tragedy. At the same time, I will show, how and why the same symbols, that once united Polish people seem to divide them now.