| dc.description.abstract | One of the most important elements of the functioning of the communist system was to
transform reality in accordance with the expectations of the communist party. At the level of
a voivodship these tasks belonged to the propaganda department of the Voivodship Committee
of the Polish United Workers’ Party (KW PZPR). Its tasks centered around several basic
problems. In an agricultural voivodship such as the Lublin one (województwo lubelskie), the
main issue was the collectivization of agriculture. In addition, the propaganda department
dealt with the training, explaining the international situation, preparing party festivities
and celebrations. Its work consisted of fixed issues: reference to the past as a deterrent and
a negative counterbalance to the communist regime, which was particularly evident in the
discussions on the draft constitution of the People’s Republic of Poland; interpretation of
recent events in accordance with the current political line, work on the rebuilding of public
awareness. It was also important to draw people away from the influence of the church and
religion. To this end, efforts were made to promote the so-called scientific outlook, especially
among teachers and students. All important institutions: the local media, community centers
and libraries, theater and cinema, were involved in the propaganda activities. The essential
element was the figure of the enemy who was responsible for the failures but doomed to
fail. Despite the many efforts, the work of the departments did not always bring the desired
results. The society did not always understand the message and did not react as expected by
the authorities. | en |
