Politics of the past: the use and abuse of history - Socialists ...

“The Word Concentration Camp
means different Things to
different People”
In January 2009, we went to Oxford to interview Norman Davies, emeritus
professor of History and an eminent scholar of twentieth century
history, whose books reach large audiences. He wrote extensively
about the Second World War and the (tragic) history of Poland, where
he spends a lot of his time. We asked him questions which are also
addressed in most of the other contributions in this book.
Q: As politicians, we always try to be careful to separate politics
from history. Nevertheless we cannot avoid historical questions altogether.
How would you define the relationship between politicians
and historians? Or how do you see your role towards
politicians?
My view is that it is impossible to get a group of historians to
produce a museum exhibit of the truth. They will always disagree,
so you may as well take that as your starting point. Let them disagree;
let them put forward different viewpoints. Trying to get a
group of historians to agree is utopian. I was asked for advice on
the establishment of a museum on the Second World War in
Gdansk by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who actually is a historian
and whom I highly regard. I proposed they make pavilions where
each of the nations of Europe can put forward their own exhibitions
on the Second World War, including Russia. The ordinary visitor,
who is perfectly intelligent, can see the difference. They will understand
that the Dutch exhibition is different from the Ukrainian, because
their experiences were so radically different. The input of the
institution itself ought to be confined to basic factual material, which
is not really in dispute.
The Kaczyńskis have been misappropriating state funds for the
support of a particular party historical line. It so happens that
President Kaczyński, when he was president of Warsaw, was behind
the Warsaw Rising Museum. That has turned out very well.
But it was such an obvious gap to be filled that it could hardly fail.
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An interview with Norman Davies