The Institute of National Remembrance, which is in charge of investigating Nazi and Communist crimes against Poland, is reminding local governments across the country to change street names that herald back to the communist era.

There are still many streets and squares that recall the regime, yet since June 8 this year it is illegal to propagate totalitarian materials and content, with such a display of communist symbolism even carrying a 2 year prison sentence.

For a number of years, the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) has been adamant that the remaining names of streets, squares, schools and memorials that carry names associated with the Stalinist regime need to be changed.

The IPN has sent almost 150 such letters to local councils nationwide, listing the names that need to be changed and stating that a slack response in changing the names is “negligence which causes the communist indoctrination of the Polish People’s Republic to continue.”

While some councils have changed their street names in accordance with the law, a number of local governments have decided to keep them, however non grata the names may be.

Factors arising that have meant the street names have not been changed include the cost of exchanging identity and motor documents, as well as changing the letterheads on company stationary, etc.

However, one council gave reasons why not to change the name of one housing estate by stating that “residents are ideologically impartial” and that the name would remain after a plebiscite among local inhabitants.

Among the names that are now banned from use are those of Zygmunt Berling, a general and communist politician, Karol Swierczewski, a Soviet military general, and Aleksander Zawadzki, a Polish communist.

Organisations referring to Poland’s communist past are also not allowed to be used, such as the Polish People’s Army or the Polish Worker’s Party. (jb)

Source: Rzeczpospolita

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