Abdelrazak Bouali - Public presentation of minor cultures in the urban area of Krakow

Sociologists predict that within a span of our lifetimes the major cities of central Europe, which belonged to the “Eastern block” two decades ago, will transform from almost monocultural to diverse multicultural entities. As the cities we live in become more and more multicultural, question arises how we could ensure peaceful coexistence of many different cultures inhabiting one place so densely, as is usual in modern European metropoles.
Therefore it is important to promote the idea of unity in diversity, which became a slogan for the member states of European Union, amongst the citizens of the union. Giving the major ethnic group means for acquainting with and understanding the culture of other ethnic groups that are sharing the city with it is the first step towards this goal. Various cultural organizations play important role in presentation of minor cultures in the cities and they apply various methods and practices in achieving this. In my contribution to the Ethnicity in the city research seminar, I will document these approaches of several selected institutions in the city of Krakow.

I had selected two renowned museums in Krakow namely National Museum and Czartoryski Museum which I will examine in order to find out how is the culture of ethnic minorities presented there I will focus on three key issues:
1. Which ethnic groups and cultures are presented in the cultural facilities?
2. How much space do these cultures have for their presentation?
3. What methods and ways are they using for the presentation?

Apart from the renowned organizations I had selected those organizations that are focused on promotion of culture of specific minority present in the city of Krakow. According to official census that took place in 2002, the three largest ethnic minority groups are Slovakian, Ukrainian and Jewish. I would like to perform research in at least one organization for each of these minorities.

For the Slovakian minority I shall conduct research within the Association of Slovakians living in Poland. This association takes part in many activities especially social and cultural events and educational courses. It also houses the magazine for Slovakian minority in Poland called Život. The association focuses on Slovakian communities in Krakow and other Polish cities and funds its activities through offering printing and publishing services.
For the Ukrainian minority I shall conduct research within the Ukrainian Social and Cultural foundation of St. Volodymir, which runs Ukrainian art gallery in Krakow. This gallery holds exhibitions of classical and contemporary Ukrainian art. The foundation is supported by Ukrainian Greek-catholic church.
For the Jewish minority I shall conduct research in the Galicia Jewish museum, which offers a contemporary look at the Jewish past in Poland and presenting Jewish culture from new perspectives. This museum is partially funded from international foundations and various associations of Jews and therefore is focused on promoting the Jewish culture towards international community, taking advantage of tourism in Krakow.

Within these ethnic-specific institutions I will focus on two issues:
1. What methods and ways are they using for the presentation?
2. What methods and ways are they using for attracting their target groups?
Regarding the research method, I will perform interviews with curators and program managers of these organizations as well as analyses of their exhibition or dramaturgic plan. I will also create several photo series, documenting the efforts of various cultural organizations to present minor cultures.
This research should result in formulating examples of best practice that could serve as reference point to any cultural institution which intends to promote idea of diverse intercultural society in the area of former “Eastern block” countries. Furthermore, outcomes of this research would serve as the first part for the comparative study of presentation of minor cultures in the “Western block” and “Eastern block” cities.

Used literature:

1. Community Cohesion: A New Framework for Race and Diversity, T.Cantle, Palgrave-Macmillan, 2008
2. Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion, Margaret Wetherell, Sage Ltd, 2007