| Zusammenfassung: | The Polish collective memory of World War II integrates the Soviet occupation of the eastern areas, and the Nazi occupation in the west. Analysis of mass media communication shows that both pre-1989, and after that date different interpretations of events from that era were presented. Surveys carried out from 1965 to 2004 demonstrate that for the majority of Poles World War II gives them reason to be proud, and few see any cause for shame. The war experience of family members is also a common topic between family and friends. Recalling or passing down war experiences in a private, family setting stems from the fact that in Europe World War II affected everybody, civilians included. The presence of "personal perspectives" in the memory of World War II is a sign of the development of the "postnational" attitude toward the past. Another expression of this attitude is the drive to preserve the memory of concrete individuals, victims of the war, as well as to accept the remembrance of those who fought on the other side.
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