“History is too important to be left to historians,” notes Marcin Giełzak, co-author of the podcast “Dwie Lewe Ręce” in the “Rzecz w tym” program. We need the Institute of National Remembrance to build a national community and conduct historical policy. But how can we save the IPN from itself? And from its president, Karol Nawrocki? Karol Nawrocki’s run in the presidential election may be the beginning of the end of the Institute of National Remembrance. Michał Płociński, together with Marcin Giełzak, a publicist and historian, critically analyze the role of the IPN in Polish historical policy. They discuss reforms, controversies, and the need to build a new model of the institution of memory. Does the IPN need its Gorbachev? Marcin Giełzak points out that the IPN needs changes, but the actions of the current president, Karol Nawrocki, may make any reform of the Institute impossible. The future of the IPN depends on whether we are able to cut it off from party politics. “Will Nawrocki, trying to rebuild its power, become its gravedigger?” asks Giełzak, comparing Nawrocki to Mikhail Gorbachev. The podcast guest reminds us that historical policy is crucial to building a national identity. “History is too serious a matter to be left to historians,” he says, while criticizing the instrumental use of the IPN by politicians. What to do with national memory? According to Giełzak, the current structure of the Institute is too complicated. In his opinion, educational and research activities should be maintained, but the outdated vetting and investigative departments should be abandoned. “In this form, the IPN resembles a political prosecutor’s office more than an institution of memory,” he claims. “It is easiest to destroy the IPN, more difficult to repair it,” he emphasizes. The conversation also touches on the problems of telling Polish history abroad and promoting positive narratives. “During the occupation, Poland had two underground universities – who knows about that?” asks Giełzak rhetorically, appealing for a more coherent memory policy. The Left and the Institute of National Remembrance As a "non-partisan PPS member", Giełzak criticizes the approach of the current parliamentary left, which comes down to slogans about liquidating the Institute of National Remembrance. He emphasizes that the left should draw from historical memory, and not cut itself off from it. It could use the potential of the Institute of National Remembrance to talk about Polish leftist traditions. "The Institute could be an institution restoring historical justice, but it needs to be ensured independence," he assesses. #IPN #PoliticsofMemory #PolishHistory #MarcinGiełzak #MichałPłociński #PodcastRzeczWtym #Rzeczpospolita #KarolNawrocki #HistoricalPolitics #IPNReform #HistoricalEducation #PolandPolitics #NationalHistory #InstituteofNationalMemory #Elections2025 #PodcastPolish #HistoricalDiscussion #PolandLeft #IPNPolitics #NationalMemory More on the website: rp.pl Twitter: twitter.com/rzeczpospolita Facebook: facebook.com/dziennikrzeczpospolita Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/rzeczpospolita/