Kronika polska Galla Anonima w kontekście kształtowania się polskiej świadomości narodowej

Gallus Anonymus’ gesta principium polonorum in the context of the formation of Polish national consciousnessThis paper is an attempt at a reconstruction of sources of Polish national consciousness, with its political and cultural components. It should be emphasized that cultural determinants are most important for consolidating national identity. In the Polish case, one of the most interesting and also most often reproduced Polish cultural motifs is the legend of Piast and Popiel. For reasons outlined above, this article will attempt to analyze legends of the first ruler in Poland and references to them in the contemporary Polish culture. For clarity of analysis, the essay is divided into two parts. The first is connected with the myth of richness and the fertile, as well as powerful Poland. The significance of this part is for the processes of creating Polish national identity around utopian visions, and also their presence in the literature. Furthermore, this myth is related with belief that the ruler must be just for his people. The second part includes the analysis of the presence of this myth in popular culture, on the example of children’s literature and in the social space.