Gdańsk palimpsest. On obscuring and retrieving traces of memory

 Gdańsk palimpsest. On obscuring and retrieving traces of memoryThe article deals with the problems of collective identity resulting from over one thousand year history of the city on the Motława river and the role of historical policy of the local authorities regarding the material cultural heritage of many nations and cultures. In our opinion, the palimpsestic palimpsestueuse character of the city plays a significant role in the discourse about the past of Gdańsk. We use that notion after Philippe Lejeune to emphasize the complexity of the process of accumulating, obscuring, deciphering and “domesticating” the subsequent layers and activities leading to the creation of new spaces and new urban myths. Gdańsk palimpsest. On obscuring and retrieving traces of memoryThe article deals with the problems of collective identity resulting from over one thousand year history of the city on the Motława river and the role of historical policy of the local authorities regarding the material cultural heritage of many nations and cultures. In our opinion, the palimpsestic palimpsestueuse character of the city plays a significant role in the discourse about the past of Gdańsk. We use that notion after Philippe Lejeune to emphasize the complexity of the process of accumulating, obscuring, deciphering and “domesticating” the subsequent layers and activities leading to the creation of new spaces and new urban myths