Lecture entitled "Nation, Town, Memory - Krakow Experience" by Professor Dr. Jacek Purchla, Professor of Humanities and Head of the Centre of European Heritage, Institute of European Studies at the Jagiellonian University. Chair of Economic & Social History and the UNESCO Chair of Cultural Heritage & Urban Studies at the Krakow University of Economics.
Krakow is a historical city where heritage does not only substantially determine contemporary life, but also settles the matter of its position in Europe. The myth of Krakow - the holy city of the Poles - created in the 19th century, to this day remains central in the canon of national traditions. Krakow, the Polish Mecca, a reliquary of national treasures has gradually transformed itself into the Museum of Poland but still maintains its heritage and identity. It is also one of the reasons why the myth of Krakow as a spiritual capital of Poland survived. Nowadays, this myth becomes even more topical. This lecture is part of the celebrations that mark the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months from July 2011.