HOW CAN HISTORY BE DEPOLITISED? THE EXPERIENCE OF THE FIRST POLISH-UKRAINIAN CONGRESS OF HISTORIANS

Abstract

The article analyses the problems of modern historiography of Ukrainian-Polish international and inter-ethnic relations, drawing in particular on the proceedings of the first Polish-Ukrainian Congress of Historians, which took place in Baranów Sandomierski (Republic of Poland) on 6–8 May 2026. The proceedings of the congress demonstrated a willingness to discuss the past of Poland and Ukraine in a spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding, without shying away from complex issues in bilateral relations; the conviction was expressed that the development of good-neighbourly Polish-Ukrainian relations requires the intensification of academic research into the shared aspects of the history of Poland and Ukraine, in particular the expansion of the source base and the systematic addressing of existing gaps in research, as well as the development of joint research projects. Methodology. Productive discussions about the past will be facilitated by harmonising methodological approaches, evaluating history on the basis of the same ethical standards, and avoiding terminology that contravenes the professional standards of historians. It is also important to take into account the achievements of other social sciences and humanities in future historical research. Prospects for further research: to thoroughly analyse issues related to the most painful chapters of both nations’ past, which remain a source of strong public emotions and are exploited by Russia’s imperial policy to fuel mistrust between the nations. It is important to bear in mind the shared chapters of the past, characterised by cooperation and solidarity across many dimensions of a unique political culture, of which both neighbouring nations are the heirs. It is important to continue and launch joint historiographical and archaeographical projects.