Traces of the Second World War in Children’s Magazines During the Polish Peoples' Republic (1945–1989)

Abstract

For a very long time in Poland, themes that allude to the Second World War were not covered in children’s magazines. This was largely due to the perception of the vulnerability of young readers as well as the trauma of the older generation. It was not until the late 50's, in the 20th century, that the periodicals started to discuss the said themes. This study intends to determine the representation of WWII and the impact of such representation in two children’s periodicals, Miś [Little Bear, publ. 1957-1989] and Świerszczyk [Little Cricket, publ. 1945-1989]. Both periodicals present the events of the Second World War in an enigmatic and oblique way; and they favoured literary genres such as poetry and short prose rather than popular science forms. Importantly, Nazi concentration camps, ghettos, civilian casualties in families and among the closest ones, evacuations, relocations, among other subjects were taboo subjects. The said issues (just as the subject of death in general) only began to appear in Polish literature for children after the year 2000. However, in recent times, children’s magazines have been concerned with other more commercial issues and the said themes have been avoided.