Authors

Monika Bednarczuk¹;  ¹ University of Białystok, Poland

Discussion

I propose to have a closer look at the paranormal in the 1960s-1970s, for the development of parapsychology and Western esotericism conspicuously illustrates the paradoxes of late socialist Poland. The local occult community was significantly affected by the Second World War and the Stalinist period, but some of the community’s members passionately tried to (re-)introduce parapsychology and esotericism in the public space. I want to highlight first the political and sociocultural context of the increased interest in the paranormal. Second, I will identify major actors in this process. Third, I will focus on the dissemination and legitimation of that knowledge. In doing so, I hope to offer new insights in postwar Poland’s cultural history and in Cultural Cold War Studies.

Communist ideology is based on dialectical materialism. It seems therefore worth examining the arguments and modus operandi of the occult actors who managed to introduce telepathy, clairvoyance and radiesthesia into the press and state-controlled publishing houses, as well as into some scientific institutions. Gradually, these issues were joined by astrology, anthroposophy, and, eventually, a wide range of topics typical of the New Age. The international connections of the milieu in late socialist Poland also deserve attention, as they are well captured by the concept of ‘the nylon curtain’. Despite economic and political limitations, successful attempts were made to increase the influx of the occult knowledge from socialist and non-socialist countries, and later also to export this knowledge.

In fact, contacts with similar currents in the West and the East were central to the normalisation of occult topics in Poland. The first longer publications concerning paranormal phenomena appeared in the 1960s. The same goes for Western studies in the psychology and phenomenology of religion. Still, the situation of esoteric groups was complex, for some operated openly, and even obtained support from politicians, while some others were active secretly. The situation changed significantly in the mid-1970s, when more and more state-tolerated initiatives emerged that came into contact with their counterparts abroad. The authorities also allowed some actors to participate in parapsychological congresses and New Age festivals abroad, or to visit Indian monasteries. Furthermore, a number of Western experts in esoteric practices visited Poland. As a result, the Polish esoteric milieu was able to network more broadly; this was also a good legitimation opportunity.