| This thesis examines the role of institutions in the process of mythmaking by examining
the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and its role in the politics of memory in Poland.
Since the collapse of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) different state
institutions have been created with the intent of addressing the Communist past. Like many
similar institutions the IPN has proven to be susceptible to political influences. The IPN holds a
uniquely powerful position in the Polish mythscape due to its added judicial function, its size,
and its influence over Polish academia. Over time, parties such as Law and Justice (PiS) have
increasingly used the IPN as a mythmaking institution, leading to mission creep as it focuses
more on mythmaking activities. The additional lens of the politics of memory is used to highlight
the role of institutions in mythmaking and their effects on identity and politics.
Key Words: Poland, Politics of Memory, Institute of National Remembrance, Institutional Myth,
Mythmaking |