Volhynia Massacre: A Central Point of Contention in Polish-Ukrainian Relations

The book "Games of Memory. On Historical Policy, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia" presents a dialogue between journalist Andrzej Brzeziecki and historian Professor Grzegorz Motyka. Published on July 8 by Wydawnictwo Literackie, the work delves into the complex historical narratives shaping relations between Poland, Ukraine, and Russia.

The conversation highlights the evolution of historical disputes. In the 1990s, the Cmentarz Orląt (Orlęta Lwowska Cemetery) was a primary issue in Polish-Ukrainian relations. Simultaneously, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was primarily associated with the Bieszczady region, particularly the area of Łuny, for those familiar with the region.

Professor Motyka reflects on the shift in focus, particularly the growing significance of the Volhynia massacre. This event, which involved widespread ethnic cleansing and mass killings of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists, has become a central and highly sensitive point of contention in contemporary Polish-Ukrainian discourse. The book examines how this historical trauma continues to influence present-day political and social dynamics.