Call for papers

Call for Papers – Porównania 2026/2

Dear Colleagues,

We cordially invite submissions of article proposals for the upcoming issue of Porównania (2026/2), dedicated to the theme "The Year 1956."

There is no universally accepted term that adequately captures the political and socio-cultural transformations that occurred in the mid-1950s—not only in the USSR and other Soviet states, but also on the other side of the Iron Curtain. The most commonly used term, “thaw,” due to its literary origin (Ilya Ehrenburg’s novel), primarily refers to cultural and political changes within the Eastern Bloc. The term “détente” refers to changes in international politics. Phrases such as the “Polish October,” the “Poznań June,” or the “Hungarian Revolution” tend to be too regional. In this context, the most neutral and productive designation appears to be the conventional “Year 1956.” It serves as a recognizable historical marker, legible within contemporary forms of collective memory, encompassing transnational processes and highlighting the parallelism of changes taking place in multiple countries.

The events and developments associated with the “thaw” are generally well documented and studied. When invoking the year 1956, one typically refers not only to key moments of political history—such as the workers’ protests in Poznań or the social enthusiasm of October—but also to new forms of social and cultural life. These include expressions of the “thaw” in literature, visual arts, film, and music. Scholars have addressed changes in the work of both established and emerging artists, discussed literary programs and manifestos proclaiming new creative languages, analyzed new poetic movements, periodicals, and translations of major works of world literature into Polish, as well as internationally recognized films, exhibitions, and festivals that embodied emerging or rejuvenated artistic aesthetics.

These perspectives collectively construct a picture of a historical turning point—one that seemingly meets the conditions necessary to secure a lasting place in social memory. But has it truly done so? Does the memory of the “thaw” and the year 1956 remain vivid today? Which elements of this multifaceted experience have faded into oblivion? To what extent does the artistic legacy of the period persist in contemporary culture? Have the myths and literary legends forged at the time retained their vitality? Did the once-fashionable ideas of the period—such as creative autonomy, the value of authenticity, and the belief in the truth of simple living—currently have historical value only?

The historical significance of the thaw and the year 1956 also stems from its supranational dimension. Some researchers argue that the changes that occurred during this time were of a similar nature and trajectory regardless of geographic or political context. From this perspective, mid-1950s Polish culture—marked by the thaw and the October events—may be seen as a local variant of a global phenomenon. It is therefore worthwhile to trace the analogies and parallels between literary developments, to examine the forms of mobility at the time, and to analyze the nature and intensity of the transnational flows of ideas, individuals, and artistic works.

Proposals should be submitted to:

 jan.galant@amu.edu.pl or zbigniew.kopec@amu.edu.pl

Deadline for abstract submissions: 30 September 2025

Notification of acceptance: by 15 October 2025

Deadline for full papers: 28 February 2026