This article has two related goals: theoretical and empirical. First, it develops the theory of hegemony by integrating it with the concept of the collective emotional field in the context of nationalist memory politics. It then draws on the concept of hegemony to analyze the commemoration of the postwar anticommunist underground in Poland after 1989 and its grassroots reception. The article shows how memory politics work not only on the symbolic but also on the emotional level as a manifestation of a nationalist exclusionary affective politics of citizenship that creates a collective emotional field of pride but also of fear and threat.

The goal of this paper is to explore whether there is potential in the Warsaw community to develop urban gardens (UG) to foster adaptation to climate change. The paper acknowledges the presence of UG in the research-recognised repertoire of climate change adaptation tools and, based on social research, highlights and discusses features essential for the potential of social capital. The characteristics of gardeners and urban gardening leaders, the functions of UG as perceived by gardeners and indicators of success were examined. The results identify factors influencing engagement conditions, longevity premises and effectiveness agents.

Referring to the concept of hegemony, the article focuses on memory politics regarding the “cursed soldiers”. It analyses how and why the conservative-nationalist right wing invented the “cursed soldier” figure and elevated it to the role of a key historical symbol in its hegemonic project of remodelling Polish collective memory in keeping with its ideology. Drawing on the concept of difficult heritage, the paper argues that hegemonic memory politics presupposes the transformation of the disputed heritage of the underground into a taken-for-granted symbol of the “cursed soldiers” representing a narrowly defined “Polishness”, and expressing the emotions of national pride, resentment and martyrdom. At the same time, on the basis of qualitative research, the article examines the process of the grassroots reception of this symbol, revealing selected aspects of its difficult nature.

Greenery and its significance in fostering sustainable urban development constitute a fundamental theme in contemporary urban planning. This study focuses on allotment gardens as a potential means of enhancing the quality of urban living environments, seeking to establish whether this form of urban greenery—often perceived as an anachronism—continues to play a meaningful role in promoting the well-being of city residents. The objective of the article was to examine whether allotment gardens exhibit the characteristics of spaces conducive to well-being within residential contexts, drawing upon scientific knowledge and expert opinions. The research employed a literature review, qualitative data analysis of material collected through individual in-depth and focus group interviews, and a final matrix analysis to assess the extent to which existing benefits satisfy contemporary demands. The findings identify current well-being features associated with allotment gardens, addressing residents’ needs regarding the benefits they offer, including recreation and leisure, and their impact on physical and mental health, as well as the formation of social relationships. Nutrition was further characterised by the self-production of healthy, affordable, and extraordinary food. The results also underscore the importance of accessibility in shaping the well-being benefits of allotment gardens, emphasising the acquisition of new competencies, the strengthening of social relations, and opportunities for health and recreation as their primary contributions.

W artykule skupiono się na analizie codzienności polskich robotników przymusowych w Prusach Wschodnich w latach 1939–1945, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem ich relacji z ludnością miejscową, wzorców osobowych, źródeł wiedzy o świecie, a także praktyk samokształceniowych, prób twórczości, potrzeb religijnych oraz form spędzania czasu wolnego. Odwołując się do metodologicznego postulatu interpretowania przeszłości w perspektywie antropocentrycznej, koncentrowano się na kwestii, na ile w opresyjnych warunkach pracy przymusowej możliwe było zachowywanie przyrodzonej człowiekowi podmiotowości poprzez realizowanie aspiracji kulturalnych czy edukacyjnych. Opisywane zagadnienia podejmowano już wcześniej w literaturze poświęconej polskim robotnikom przymusowym. Prezentowane opracowanie poprzedzono kwerendami, przede wszystkim w Instytucie Północnym im. W. Kętrzyńskiego oraz Centralnym Muzeum Jeńców Wojennych. Kwerendy w Instytucie objęły niepublikowane dotąd oraz fragmentarycznie przywoływane w istniejących opracowaniach relacje świadków wydarzeń, gromadzone w latach 70. XX wieku.