Stand on history
my outlook on the place of history in day-to-day life apparently much differs from that now predominating in the society of Poland.
i understand the sentiments that drive decision-makers to commemorate the enormous imprint that World War Two has had on this country, however at times it gets too close to exhibitionism for my tastes. it's like a shoutout to the world that goes, “hey, look at my wounds! don't they make me special!? i was almost killed by my fellow brethren seventy years ago!”, except it seems to skip the part that says, “i was unable to heal since that time because apparently playing the victim game has been so much more appealing”.
i mean, seriously, i'm fine with erecting great monuments and smaller things like keeping bullet marks on buildings that undergo renovation, but the case of this building in Ochota has me squirming. the authorities have blocked an investment to turn an unused attic into habitable space because, here it comes, there are fragments of German artillery bullets lodged in the rafters and they need to be preserved. logically, it is to me equal to a hypothetical decision not to rebuilt the destroyed city in order to memorialize its destruction. munitions that crippled the town are now what hinders its development, and why? because those munitions need to be preserved as a valuable memoir. so what that they're stuck in some inaccessible attic. so what that there are at least four museums in Warsaw that keep expositions depicting the wartime experience of the city, where the rafters could be easily displayed to a greater overall benefit if they are indeed of such great merit. so what, finally, that said rafters are in bad shape structurally and replacing them with a more reliable support has been recommended. they will stay where they are, for they are sacred.
“look how my leg was blown off by a shrapnel! i was offered a prosthetic limb but i declined because i hope this way everyone will easily see how much of a war hero i am. now, could you please help with my wheelchair?”
i understand the sentiments that drive decision-makers to commemorate the enormous imprint that World War Two has had on this country, however at times it gets too close to exhibitionism for my tastes. it's like a shoutout to the world that goes, “hey, look at my wounds! don't they make me special!? i was almost killed by my fellow brethren seventy years ago!”, except it seems to skip the part that says, “i was unable to heal since that time because apparently playing the victim game has been so much more appealing”.
i mean, seriously, i'm fine with erecting great monuments and smaller things like keeping bullet marks on buildings that undergo renovation, but the case of this building in Ochota has me squirming. the authorities have blocked an investment to turn an unused attic into habitable space because, here it comes, there are fragments of German artillery bullets lodged in the rafters and they need to be preserved. logically, it is to me equal to a hypothetical decision not to rebuilt the destroyed city in order to memorialize its destruction. munitions that crippled the town are now what hinders its development, and why? because those munitions need to be preserved as a valuable memoir. so what that they're stuck in some inaccessible attic. so what that there are at least four museums in Warsaw that keep expositions depicting the wartime experience of the city, where the rafters could be easily displayed to a greater overall benefit if they are indeed of such great merit. so what, finally, that said rafters are in bad shape structurally and replacing them with a more reliable support has been recommended. they will stay where they are, for they are sacred.
“look how my leg was blown off by a shrapnel! i was offered a prosthetic limb but i declined because i hope this way everyone will easily see how much of a war hero i am. now, could you please help with my wheelchair?”