During a televised segment on Telewizja wPolsce24, a professor offered a pointed critique of how a historian has drifted into political behavior, calling the turn a petty maneuver that taints scholarly independence. Piotr Gliński, who previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, contended that the Westerplatte Museum project had been blocked and redirected into a form resembling a Museum of the Second World War, with the aim of presenting history through a German or universalist lens rather than a Polish perspective. He stressed that such framing distorts memory and undermines the national narrative that many believe should guide public education and cultural policy. The remarks highlighted a fundamental tension between how history is studied, how it is taught, and how it is displayed in public institutions that have the power to shape collective memory.
On the program Poland Chooses, the former Minister of Culture was asked to respond to Paweł Machcewicz’s latest statements. Machcewicz, the first director of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, had voiced criticism of what he saw as the leadership’s direction and had stood in solidarity with colleagues who challenged the approach to Karol Nawrocki, the museum’s leadership. The exchange underscored a broader struggle over who should curate Poland’s wartime memory and how that memory should be framed for visitors, educators, and future generations. Supporters argue that such discussions are part of a healthy public sphere where institutions are held to account, while critics warn that internal disagreements risk politicizing the very public history meant to educate citizens and honor those who suffered.
Further commentary accompanied the dispute as observers noted that the changes in the museum’s direction were defended as scientifically grounded rather than politically motivated. Dr. Szymaniak suggested that the modifications were motivated by scholarly assessments, though others continued to question the transparency and consistency of the decision making. The discourse points to a larger dynamic in which cultural authorities must balance rigorous research with accessible storytelling, ensuring that exhibitions remain credible while relatable. The episode offers a case study in how memory, authority, and institutions intersect in Poland, prompting reflection on the responsibilities of curators, researchers, and policymakers to present a nuanced, evidence-based narrative to the public.