Tworzenie nowej rzeczywistości – praca wydziału propagandy KW PZPR w Lublinie 1948–1956

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.