NIGDY WIECEJ - NEVER AGAIN, issue 17, winter/spring 2009
SUMMARY:
* The opening article by Marcin Kornak touches upon current problems of the far right members’ presence in some public institutions in Poland, such as television and Institute for National Remembrance, as well as neo-fascist organizations (National Rebirth of Poland, NOP, and National-Radical Camp, ONR).
* ‘Ministerstwo Kultury finansuje neofaszyzm - reperkusje’ (‘The Ministry of Culture funds neo-fascists - repercussions’, pages 1-2) refers to an article in the previous issue of ‘Nigdy Więcej”, which discussed a shocking fact of the financial aid from Poland’s Ministry of Culture to a neo-fascist “Templum Novum” magazine. The section presents excerpts from mainstream media articles that were published after the case was initially highlighted by the editors of “Nigdy Wiecej”.
* The “Letters” section (pages 2-3) contains greetings and stories about tolerance and anti-fascist activism sent to the editors by readers or collaborators of the ‘Nigdy Więcej’ Association.
* ‘Malarze pokojowi’ (‘Peace painters’, page 3) by Dariusz Paczkowski, is a brief report from a grassroots campaign in the town of Żywiec, where local youth together with some municipal officials removed neo-Nazi symbols and slogans from the walls in town.
* Section ‘Nazi-rock nie przejdzie’ (‘Nazi-Rock won’t pass’, pages 4-5) contains three articles. The first one (‘NIE dla rasistowskiej muzyki w Sosnowcu’ – ‘NO to racist music in Sosnowiec’, page 4) talks about a successful ban on a local concert of neo-Nazi rock bands in the city of Sosnowiec. The intervention against the concert was possible thanks to cooperation of the municipal officials, anti-fascist activists and some of the town residents. The second article (‘Saltus: Ręce wzniesione w stronę słońca’ – ‘Saltus: Hands raised towards the sun’, pages 4-5) highlights another local anti-fascist intervention that resulted in interruption of a Warsaw concert by a neo-Nazi black metal band Saltus in January 2008. The third text in the section (‘Muzyka Przeciwko Rasizmowi w Bielsku-Białej’ – ‘Music Against Racism in Bielsko-Biała’ by Dariusz Paczkowski, page 5) talks about a successful cancellation of a concert of two neo-Nazi rock bands in Bielsko-Biała. The intervention was undertaken by the Nigdy Więcej magazine and anti-racist musicians from other rock groups.
* The ‘Quotes’ section (page 5) contains passages from public interviews with famous Polish artists who openly and critically talk about chauvinism, xenophobia and homophobia in Poland.
* The section titled ‘Wszechpolacy’ (‘The All-Polish’, page 6) presents two short articles highlighting far right and neo-fascist sympathies among activists of Młodzież Wszechpolska (All-Polish Youth), until recently a prominent nationalist youth organization.
* The section ‘Z cyklu: Złote myśli polskiej skrajnej prawicy’ (ironic title: ‘From the golden thoughts of Polish extreme right’, page 7) presents quotes from a Polish right wing magazine Opcja na prawo. The quotes reveal that xenophobic contents are present in the magazine, and among its contributors are people associated with Polish far right.
* ‘Sądowy ping-pong, czyli dlaczego Leszek Bubel nie siedzi w więzieniu’ (‘Ping-pong in the court, or why Leszek Bubel is not in prison’, pages 7-8) by Rafał Maszkowski, talks about passivity of Polish judicial system and its reluctance to punish publishers of antisemitic pamphlets. The case discussed in the article is the one of Leszek Bubel, a notorious antisemite and a leader of the Polish Nationalist Party.
* ‘Narodowcy o narodowcach’ (‘Nationalists about nationalists’, page 8) is the section that presents quotes from nationalist and far right magazines and other publications. The quotes reveal ruptures, contradictions and clashes of interest inside the extreme right movement in Poland.
* ‘Myślałem wtedy: Dawniej Polacy walczyli w zbrojach, dzisiaj walczą w glanach’ (pages 9-13) is an extensive interview by Rafał Pankowski with Paweł Bolek, a former active member of Polish far right organizations. Bolek, today an ani-nationalist active in a left-wing organization, gives a unique autobiographic insight into his way towards neo-fascist National Rebirth of Poland (NOP) as a teenager, the organization’s activity in 1990s and how it happened that he changed his views and eventually turned against the far right.
* ‘Czego boimy się w Słowiańszczyźnie?’ (‘What are we afraid of in the Slavdom?’, pages 14-15) is a chapter from a famous book ‘Niesamowita Słowiańszczyzna’ (‘Amazing Slavdom’) by a well-known scholar of literature studies, Maria Janion. The author poses a question how it would be possible to construct a non-nationalist and anti-fascist notion of Slavic cultural identity.
* ‘Słowiańskie nadużycie’ (‘Slavic abuse, pages 16-29) by Marcin Kornak, is an extensive analysis of neo-fascist and chauvinist threads in the pan-Slavic movement. The author begins with a claim that the current growth of popular interest in early Slavic history and religion is being exploited by neo-fascist and nationalist political organizations. Kornak analyses historical origins of pan-Slavism in 19th century Russia and other East European countries, including Poland. A vast part of the article is devoted to discussion about a number of contemporary pan-Slavic and neo-pagan racist organizations in Poland, their connections, ideological positions as well as links to mainstream political parties. In conclusions, author argues that reclaiming neo-paganism and Slavic cultural identity against the abuse made by the neo-fascists is necessary and possible, and he hopes that the revival of intellectual interest in neo-paganism and Slavdom can serve an important role in making Slavic cultural heritage a part of multicultural and anti-chauvinist experience.
* In the article ‘Moskale, bolszewicy, kacapy... O polskiej rusofobii i jej korzeniach’ (‘Muscovites, Bolsheviks, Russkies... On Polish anti-Russian prejudice and its origins pages 30-33) by Michał Friedrich, the author discusses historical background of Polish-Russian relations and critically analyses anti-Russian stereotypes and prejudice in Poland, including public and political discourses. The author argues that Polish understanding of Russia and Russians “needs a new story, new narrative. Xenophobic, mythologized anti-Russian discourse is, unfortunately, a permanent feature of Polish culture. (...) It should be seen as an absolute necessity that former but still vivid ideological schemes are destroyed, because they result in destructive phenomena in Polish public life and (...) in our daily reality.”
* ‘Wieczorkiewicz: Irvingowi czapką buty trzeba czyścić’ (‘Wieczorkiewicz: Irving deserves deep respect’, pages 34-36) by Aleksander Nitka, presents views of a well-known Polish professor of history, Paweł Wieczorkiewicz. Author reveals Wieczorkiewicz’s sympathies for Leon Degrelle, a Belgian leader of the fascist movement in 1930s and 1940s. This attitude was shown in an introduction to written by Wieczorkiewicz the Polish edition of Degrelle’s memoirs published in 2002. The author also reveals Wieczorkiewicz’s positive assessment – expressed in an interview given to a neo-fascist magazine Templum Novum – of works by a well-known Holocaust denier David Irving.
* ‘Wola serca lub Modlitwa’ (‘Heart’s will or prayer’, pages 37-38) is an essay on modern Jewish history and antisemitism, by a Polish-born Israeli writer and Holocaust survivor, Miriam Akavia.
* ‘Dlaczego na murach polskich miast jest tak wiele antysemickich napisów i symboli?’ (‘Why are there so many antisemitic slogans and symbols on the walls in Polish towns?’, pages 38-39) by Marcin Kornak, is a chapter from the book ‘Trudne pytania w dialogu polsko-żydowskim’ (‘Tough questions in Polish-Jewish dialogue’), a collection of articles edited by Maciej Kozłowski and published in 2006. Kornak discusses the historical background and major features of contemporary antisemitism in Poland as well as challenges it poses for educators and activists in various areas of social life.
* ‘Głos na temat antysemityzmu’ (‘A voice about antisemitism’, page 40) by a well-known priest and a contributor to Christian-Jewish dialogue, Michał Czajkowski, is a brief presentation of contemporary Catholic Church’s criticism of antisemitism.
* ‘Empatia religijna. Nie robisz źle nie będąc z name, robisz źle będąc z nimi’ (‘Religious empathy. You’re not wrong when you’re not with us, you’re wrong when you’re with them, pages 41-46) by Stanisław Obirek, is an extensive essay on religious tolerance and interreligious dialogue. The author rests his argument on works by contemporary theology and philosophy scholars.
* ‘Radio Maryja per fas et nefas’ (pages 47-51) by Rafał Maszkowski, is an extensive analysis of this popular Polish ultraconservative radio station organized and led by a Catholic priest, father Rydzyk. The author talks about the Radio Maryja’s violations of the existing law, its institutional expansion, financial background and the xenophobic and antisemitic discourse propagated by the radio’s presenters and contributors. The Latin phrase in the title refers to the fact that while Radio Maryja frequently breaks rules of Polish law, the station’s activity is as often ignored by the public institutions responsible for prosecuting such crimes.
* ‘Dlaczego Radio Maryja jest atakowane?’ (‘Why is Radio Maryja being attacked?’, page 51) is an extract devoted to critical analysis of Radio Maryja’s chauvinist and ultraconservative discourse and propaganda. The extract published in this section discusses some false claims made by the presenters of the radio station.
* ’11 listopada umarła nadzieja’ (‘On November 11 the hope died’, page 52) is a feature article by Jarosław Ważny, a member of a popular rock band Kult. The author shares his critical views on how Polish xenophobia is maintained by prejudice or inaction of political elites.
* Pages 53-64 contain the ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Stadiums’ (‘Wykopmy rasizm ze stadionów’) section. The heading refers to the several years long campaign being organised by the ‘NEVER AGAIN’ Association under the same slogan. In the section there are:
- A letter from the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights to Poland’s Prime Minister, calling for more involvement in combating racism at stadiums in Poland.
- Quotes from the Prime Minister, Minister of Sport and Minister of Justice showing their concern about racism and xenophobia in Polish football.
- ‘Platini wykopuje rasizm ze stadionów’ (‘Platini kicks racism out of stadiums’, pages 53-54) by Jacek Purski, discusses a European conference with participation of the UEFA officials, representatives of the European Commission and non-governmental organizations, including Nigdy Więcej. The conference, with Michel Platini as the main guest, took place on November 28-29, 2008 in Brussels. The Nigdy Więcej Association presented, on behalf of the Polish Football Association, its ‘Program for countering racism in sport arenas – Let’s Kick Racism Out of Stadiums. A Path to EURO 2012 without Racism’.
- ‘Zagłębie rasizmu nie lubi’ (‘Zagłębie does not like racism’, page 54) tells about an anti-racist campaign initiated by fans of the football club Zagłębie Sosnowiec.
- ‘Klasyk inny niż wszystkie’ (‘Classic other than usual’, page 55) is an article about an action celebrating International Day Against Racism during a top football game between Legia Warszawa and Widzew Łódź on 22 March 2008.
- ‘Turniej Antira – Hamburg 2008’ (pages 55-56) by Jacek Purski, is a short report on an anti-fascist football tournament that took place in Hamburg in May 2008.
- ‘Wrocław na drodze do antyrasistowskiego EURO 2012’ (‘Wrocław on the way to anti-racist EURO 2012’, page 56) by Jacek Purski, is a report from the ‘EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine: political, social, sport and economic advantages’ conference that took place in April 2008 in the city of Wrocław. Representatives of the Nigdy Więcej Association took part in this conference giving a lecture on racism in football and good practices in combating racism in sport in Europe.
- ‘Monitoring of racism in Polish sport, 2007-2008’ – a list of racist and other chauvinist incidents related to Polish sport events between July 2007 and November 2008 (pages 57-64).
* ‘Antyfaszystowski egzamin PPS’ (‘Anti-fascist test of the Polish Socialist Party’, pages 65-67) by Jerzy Rawicz, is a chapter from the author’s book Doktor Łokietek i Tata Tasiemka. Dzieje gangu, published in Poland in 1968. The text tells the story of an anti-nationalist activity of Polish Socialist Party in Warsaw in early 1920s.
* Two articles tell the story of social and political involvement of a famous U.S. protest-song writer and folksinger, Woody Guthrie. These articles are: Steve Silver’s essay ‘Woody Guthrie: antyfaszystowski bohater muzyki folk’ (‘Woody Guthrie: Anti-fascist folk hero’, pages 68-69) and a short memoir by Stetson Kennedy, a U.S. human rights activist and the artist’s close friend (‘Woody Guthrie: urodzony antyfaszysta’ – ‘Woody Guthrie: natural born anti-fascist’, pages 70-71). Both pieces focus mainly on Guthrie’s anti-fascist activism in the face of the spread of Nazi ideology in 1930s and World War II. Both authors present the artist’s commitment to social justice and labour movement struggles, his firm anti-racist position and his artistic legacy, especially Guthrie’s use of folk songs as critical commentaries on current social and political affairs.
* ‘Muzyka przeciwko rasizmowi’ (‘Music Against Racism’, pages 72-74) section presents recent music albums and music videos produced in Poland and labelled with the logo of the ‘Music Against Racism’ campaign, as well as an article by Aleksander Nitka telling about the anti-fascist ‘Love Music Hate Racism Carnival’ that took place in April 2008 in London on the 30th anniversary of the ‘Rock Against Racism’ campaign in Great Britain.
* ‘Metafizyka głupków – rzecz o narodowosocjalistycznym black metalu’ (‘Metaphysics of fools. On national-socialist black metal’, pages 75-76) by Rafał Pankowski, is an insight into ideological background of neo-fascist black metal music subculture. Presenting a critical analysis of song lyrics and interviews with black metal musicians, the author discusses how ‘national-socialist black metal’ combines aggressive and overt racism with Satanism, neo-paganism and glorification of violence and cruelty, as well as how people active in the black metal circles are linked to chauvinist and racist political organizations. The article is an extract from the author’s scholarly book Racism and popular culture published in Poland in 2006.
* ‘Daniel Landa, czyli co nie przeszkadza Czechom’ (‘Daniel Landa, or what does not bother the Czechs’, page 77) by Michal Riecansky, tells a story of Daniel Landa, a Czech rock musician. The author critically presents Landa’s influence on the popular musical scene in Czech Republic, his white supremacist views and his involvement in and connections with ultraconservative and xenophobic right wing parties.
* ‘Jörga Haidera reaktywacja i zejście ze sceny’ (‘Jörg Haider is back and off the stage’, page 78) by Michał Syska, is a brief analysis of the origins and development of the far right Austrian Freedom Party. The author evaluates the contemporary political situation in Austria, following the growth of support for far right political parties in 2008 parliamentary elections in this country.
* ‘Wehikuł czasu dla byłego więźnia Auschwitz’ (‘Time machine for a former Auschwitz prisoner’, page 79) section contains a reader’s letter raising a controversy of an “art movie” titled “80064” by Artur Żmijewski presenting a former prisoner of Auschwitz concentration camp, who allegedly willingly submitted himself to a renewal of his tattooed prison number by the author of the film. The section also contains controversial passages from an interview given by Żmijewski as well as his own description of the film, which the artist had shared with viewers in 2005.
* Piotr Kawiorski’s article (pages 79-80) discusses an international seminar about consequences of the 2007 Schengen zone enlargement for immigration issues. The seminar, bringing together participants from seven countries, took place at the 5. European Social Forum in Malmö in September 2008.
* The ‘Anti-fascist’s library’ section (‘Biblioteka Antyfaszysty’, pages 81-90) presents reviews of 15 books (including 6 comic books) and 5 movies. Among the reviewed books are: a collection of short stories by an Israeli writer Miriam Akavia, Auschwitz Reflections by a well-known Polish psychiatrist Antoni Kępiński, a historical monograph by Anna Cichopek about anti-Jewish pogrom in Kraków in 1945, Krzysztof Kasiński’s scholarly work about Ku Klux Klan, Maciej Ząbek’s historical volume on Poles’ attitudes towards Africa and Africans, and Krzysztof Tomasik’s anti-homophobic “Homosexual biographies” of prominent Polish 19th and 20th-century writers.
* ‘Katalog Wypadkow – Brunatna Ksiega’ (‘Catalogue of Incidents – The Brown Book’, pages 91-105) by Marcin Kornak with collaboration of Anna Tatar, is a detailed record of violent acts and other incidents, in particular those committed by members and sympathisers of racist and neo-fascist groups in Poland in the period between February 2006 and December 2008. The register also lists distinct cases of discrimination, public and media hate speech, as well as other incidents that endanger security of minority groups and violate principles of human rights and equality in democratic society.