Discursive Negotiations of Difficult Heritage: The Case of a "Contentious Monument"

This paper explores the sociological dimensions of discourse surrounding difficult heritage, focusing on the controversial monument in Olsztyn, Poland. Monuments, as physical embodiments of historical memory, often become focal points of contestation in public discourse, reflecting broader struggles over collective identity, historical responsibility, and national narratives. The monument in Olsztyn, commemorating Soviet soldiers, has sparked heated debates in both local and national contexts. This study aims to unpack the competing discourses that shape public perceptions of the monument, with attention to how different social actors—politicians, media, civil society, and local communities—mobilize historical narratives to legitimize or challenge its presence.By conducting a critical discourse analysis of media coverage, political statements, and public forums between 2020 and 2023, this research examines the evolving debates on what the monument represents. The findings of this study reveal that the discourse around the monument is not merely about the past, but about contemporary identity politics, struggles over historical interpretation, and the role of public space in negotiating difficult heritage. By analyzing the sociopolitical context of these debates, this paper contributes to our understanding of how monuments serve as discursive battlegrounds in post-socialist societies, where the past remains a contested terrain of memory and identity formation.