The Place of Hasidic Pilgrimages in the Local Frames of Memory: The Cases of Belz, Bobowa, Leżajsk and Uman

In this lecture, I will discuss the final results of my doctoral research, namely the patterns of interactions between the official and vernacular memories in four towns connected to the Hasidic pilgrimages – Bobowa and Leżajsk in Poland, Belz and Uman in Ukraine. Nisbet’s scheme of social interactions (Nisbet, 1970) was applied to cultural memory interactions (cooperation+exchange, competition, conflict and coercion). Research findings are based on the analysis of interviews with local memory keepers, observations, social media discussions, available archival documents, and surveys.

A pattern of memory cooperation prevails in all towns of my research; however, it is realized in different contexts and with different instruments. Hasidic pilgrimages play specific roles in each town, constructing different meanings for different audiences. In Uman, the Hasidic pilgrimages have become the object of social tensions – both with memory keepers and inhabitants of the town. In Leżajsk, the Hasidic pilgrimages have become the object of interest in the official narratives (as a mean to attract tourists in the town) and dissatisfaction among the inhabitants of the town. In Belz, they have become the object of interest and, at the same time, alienation among the memory keepers and inhabitants. In Bobowa, the Hasidic pilgrimages have become the object of pride in the official narratives and memory keeping. I will discuss factors of this difference, including contexts of pilgrimages and correspondent groups of pilgrims in each town.