The topic of memory is painful and sensitive, yet crucial—especially in borderland communities that have experienced trauma and loss, and are now shaping their own culture of survival.
Already on the second day of the school, we were asking: How exactly do we remember, and why does it matter? After all, the way we remember shapes not only the past, but also the future.
This is the kind of memory culture that the Borderland Foundation based in Sejny, seeks to interpret—not as an archive or institution, but as an ongoing process of internal work: with oneself, with language, and with building bridges between communities.
In the session with Krzysztof, three key forms of memory emerged—forms that the Borderland team actively engages with. These are not abstract concepts, but practical approaches, always rooted in real people, communities, and stories:
- Critical Memory
“You have to start with yourself. If there’s guilt on our side, we need to talk about it. This is self-criticism. You don’t do it for others—you do it for yourself. And that makes you stronger.”
- Shared Memory
“We ask ourselves: is it possible to share memory in borderland communities? Maybe not. But we try to invite people into dialogue.”
- Good Memory
“It’s hard to find that good memory. We know how to commemorate trauma—but we don’t know how to celebrate joy. How do we talk about it without empty words?”
According to Krzysztof Czyżewski small centers of the world are the antidote and endure when large systems collapse.
Apart from the fascinating session led by Krzysztof, the participants of the Summer School discussed and worked together in order to see how big ideas could be implemented in practice.
Artists and community leaders from Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Georgia, and Armenia gathered in Sejny to share stories rooted in place and memory. Performances, animations, and personal narratives highlighted intergenerational responsibility. Voices like Bożena Szroeder, Małgorzata Dmitruk, and Wiesław Szumiński reminded us: shared memory can unite quietly but successfully.