Necropolitics: political dimensions of the burials of Polish writers on the example of bringing to Poland the ashes of Juliusz Słowacki in 1927 and Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz in 1988

Abstract

The article is devoted to comparative analysis of two repatriations: bringing ashes of Juliusz Słowacki in 1927 and bringing remains of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz in 1988. Both these events, being socio-political performances, fit into the broader concept of necropolitics, in which they are analyzed. The article compares the causes of the political nature of these ceremonies, their conduct, public reception and the effectiveness of counteracting the socio-political crisis, which was one of the main reasons for reaching for the funeral ritual by the rulers. The main purpose of the article, in addition to the comparative analysis of the above elements, is to emphasize the political dimension of mourning ceremonies, which can successfully be the subject of research in political science.