Institutions of Culture and Populism in Poland

Between 2015 and 2021, Poland’s cultural landscape shifted due to a neo-traditionalist turn in state politics, reshaping heritage narratives and cultural policy. Populist discourse emphasised national and community values, redefining culture’s role in politics through institutional restructuring, policy changes and financial reforms. This article examines how populist politics influence cultural institutions and the construction of national and European heritage narratives. Based on structured interviews (2020-2021) with key cultural representatives and policy analysis, our findings reveal that neo-traditionalism operates on an ideational level, shaping cultural policy and heritage narratives. This shift reimagines national identity narratives and their relationship with Europe. Our findings reveal a complex interplay between state cultural policy and the evolution of heritage narratives.