Paper short abstract:

The analysis of the changing narratives about The Grave of Józef Piłsudski's Mother and his heart has allowed noticing processes of variability, exchange and redefining culture memories, and thus a better compatibility of Lithuanian and Polish national narratives.

Paper long abstract:

The Lithuanian history of the last century and the resulting dynamics of demographic change have radically transformed the role, meaning and forms of interpretation of the Polish memorial sites in Lithuania. Today, Poles are the largest national minority group in Lithuania, whose identity is very strongly influenced by the Polish post-colonial nostalgia for the lost territories on the eastern border. The symbol of this nostalgia is Józef Piłsudski, who Poles consider to be one of the main figures in Polish history. But for Lithuanians Józef Piłsudski, who demanded taking Vilnius from Lithuania and joining it to Poland, is one of the most disliked historical figures.

The Grave of Józef Piłsudski's Mother and his heart is located in the center of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. It is invariably the most important place for the identity of the Polish community. From the Lithuanian perspective, this object until recently have been deliberately ignored to prevent any culturally meaningful narratives. Small positive shifts in attitudes have been observed in the last few years. The analysis of the changing narratives about The Grave of Józef Piłsudski's Mother and his heart has allowed to notice processes of variability, exchange and redefining culture memory. A path for reconciliation between parties to an identity conflict is being laid thanks to the changing of formal ritualization and communication of this memorial site.