Lidar-derivatives gathered during the realization of IT System of Country’s Protection Against Extreme Hazards (so-called ISOK programme) have initialized the non-invasive archaeological research concerning the preservation of the relicts of the former prisoner of war and internment camp in Tuchola, Poland. The camp functioned during the Great War (1914–1918) and the Polish-Soviet War (1919–1921). This paper discusses and summaries the preliminary results of this research. It argues that the use of ethnographic methods can supplement and enrich the historical records related to the camp. The article discusses in detail the assemblage of material culture made, remade, or personalized by prisoners and internees documented during the research. These artefacts are unique examples of trench art. Discussionconcerning the objects is the main goal of this paper. They are the first examples of the trench art related to the Tuchola camp analyzed in the archaeological literature.
The article contains terminological considerations concerning the term ‘camp literature’. In Polish literary studies it is most often referred to literature dealing with German Nazi camps, in particular concentration camps and death camps, and, less frequently, Soviet camps, especially forced labor camps. However, this definition turns out to be too narrow. It should also include the lesser-known works of Polish literature concerning, among others, the Polish internment camp (concentration camp) in Bereza Kartuska, communist labor camps set up in postwar Poland and the Spanish (Francoist) concentration camp in Miranda de Ebro. The term ‘camp literature’ could also include works on internment camps, prisoner camps, and even ghettos. The camp literaturę (not only Polish writings) requires, what is very important, a comparative approach.
This article includes a terminological discussion regarding the notion of camp literature. Within Polish literary science, it is usually applied to literature raising the topic of German Nazi camps, particularly concentration camps and death camps, and, though less often, to Soviet camps, particularly forced labour camps. Yet the definition has proved to be excessively narrow. It should also cover, previously less studied, works of Polish literature regarding, i.a. the Polish concentration camp in Bereza Kartuska, the communist labour camps established in post-WWII Poland, and the Spanish concentration camp in Miranda de Ebro. The notion camp literature could also be applied to works devoted to internment camps, POW camps, or even ghettoes.
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