Cultural Diversity in Poland: Where Is it Today?

Poland in and of itself, is a nation that has gone through many changes since the dawn
of time. In terms of Polands culture, there was a time when they did not have their own identity.
This is due to the fact that it was divided among Prussia, Austria, and Russia. However, In spite
of that, the weakened Polish social system continued to exist. It existed thanks to its culture and
that culture then developed even more strongly. Poland then became more visibly distinct from
the German, Austrian and Russian cultures. The nation lived and developed without its own
sovereign social system, but it was sovereign thanks to culture. It is also thanks to culture that
an awakening of national awareness took place in the lower layers of the Polish society
(Dyczewski).

Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/map/1156/the-partition-of-poland
There is also an emotional bond between the Catholic Church and Poles. This bond was
formed because for the last several centuries Poland's main enemies were Orthodox Russians
and Protestant Germans. In this context, a Pole was a Catholic and a Catholic was a Pole. The
bond was strengthened because individuals persecuted by the authorities could seek succor
and solace from the Church. Further, during communist times, the Church was the one
institution that presented an independent voice (Countries and their Culture). So, culture in Poland
does exist, The national awareness is at the heart of all Poles. It became the backbone, the
strength and the pride of the people.
However, the country has been experiencing cultural changes since the 1990s. On one
hand or in one aspect it is due to new religious movements. Through Polands history Roman
Catholics have dominated the country. Today though, those numbers are still high and Catholics
are the dominate religion, the face of Catholicism has changed. New religious movements that
are not tied into the Catholic church have also become a welcome/unwelcome addition.
Presently, now 144 churches and religious associations have been registered under the law.
Moreover, the relation between the state and churches may be regulated by separate legislation.
There are 15 churches, whose activity is regulated under separate law, inter alia, the Roman
Catholic Church, and various protestant and orthodox churches (Agnieszka). This has caused
strain in the relation between the state and the new religious movements that seem to be highly
problematic in Poland. On the one hand, Poland is a secular state, which guarantees its citizens

and other inhabitants freedom of belief. On the other, however, Poland is a Catholic country,
which often privileges the dominant Church and its private agendas.
Also, in regards to a changing cultural system is the political system that underwent a
drastic change. In 1989, thanks to the firm nonviolent and solidary struggle of the society for
sovereignty and democracy, the country underwent a change of political systems -- from
atheistic totalitarianism to democracy. The new system searches support in an utterly different,
even if inconsistent, ideology. One part of the society pleads for Christian principles of social life,
another part for liberal and areligious rules and foundations, and still another is faithful to the
socialist ideology.
The biggest cultural diversity is that of the people themselves in regards to language and
heritage. Poles are very proud of who they are and where they come from. They have every
right and reason to be. The country was all but destroyed during WWII and yet the country is
stronger from it. It is however, much more difficult when people move and their life environment
is destroyed. Then the sociocultural system has to maintain and develop its identity all over
again. Culture then becomes a main link between generations and grounds people who are in
transition. Cultural identity has in such cases to gain its autonomous existence and to become
not only a factor providing continuity of culture, but also a culture-creating factor (Chapter I).
Efforts are being made to ensure that the Polish culture remains a part of all generations
for years to come. Poland has a Culture of Arts program as well as a Minister of Culture that
ensures that changes are brought forth to encourage the preservation of Poland. There was a
series of principles that were set up to ensure that culture was preserved and over the years

they have grown, changed and been further enhanced. The new principles for organizing and
financing cultural activities
were formulated in 1993
and presented in the
governmental documents.
In 1995 Cultural
policy priorities were
established by the Ministry
of Culture. The three most
important areas for state
support were identified as books, the protection of national heritage, and cultural education.
Over the past 20 years the State Cultural Policy Board as well as the Minister of Culture, have
worked to continue adding directions, activities, duties of the State, as well as finding the
funding in order to ensure the program does not fail (Cultural Policies).
The culture in Poland is definitely changing. It is growing and evolving. As more
generations are born into the world, it is inevitable. Poland wants to preserve their heritage, they
believe that the past has a clear road into their futures. Each and every Pole in the nation wants
better for their children, yet they are all very ingrained into learning their past; from ones past, is
how we learn to move into the future.

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sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAUQjhw&url=http://www.slideshare.net/kultur
majalah/world-culture-forum-the-power-of-culture-in-sustainabledevelopment&ei=2h8jVafaCuqxsATsrYHgBw&bvm=bv.89947451,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNED7chv6TQT9QE1PIW4Nd3d
9uRSrA&ust=1428451581110359n

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(n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2015, from http://www.culturalpolicies.net/down/poland_112013.pdf