Komu grają Organy? Wokół historii i mitów pomnika na Przełęczy Snozka

Abstract

Myth is a socially functioning, vivid narration which is created by mythical consciousness. It is created for the world, in the need of the hour. When a myth is formed, it absorbs and bases reality, which then appears as if it was a brand new reality. This is possible by turning to the archetype. This way new heroes, ages of glory and downfall, new worlds and whole eras get included in the mythological area. In 1947 Józef Kuraś alias – Ogień (The Fire) dies by suicide during ambush. He was one of the greatest heroes of postwar Poland. The last point of anti-communist resistance at Podhale dies with him. Less than 20 years later in 1966, a famous Polish artist Władysław Hasior designs a monument called The Iron Organ. The monument was built on Snozka mountain pass, however it was not built as a homage for Ogień’s soldiers but for the sake of oblivion. It commemorated the UB functionaries. Throughout the years, the history of the monument has become a myth. Finally, the monument and his history were forgotten. With time, it has fallen into ruin and become a pile of unnecessary scrap. After 1989, in the free Poland the myth of the monument has become alive again along with a political war. The main questions of the article are: Who was the monument dedicated to truly? Why is it controversial till this day? How does the monument’s history relate to the myth of the Cursed Soldiers?