General Music Education in a Multi-Ethnic Context, on the Example of State-Run Schools in Poland between the World Wars

Abstract The paper concerns the presence and ideological identity-building function of Polish folk music in state-run schools between World Wars, experiences Jewish children teenagers this regard. young state brought together populations from former three partitioned territories, which included numerous national minorities. need for bond-forming, powerfully symbolic elements supporting a collectively developed identity was soon strongly felt. music, with particular emphasis on its regional varieties, perfectly fitted into current patriotic civic youth education both private schools. Dances songs learned at PE lessons familiarised them wealth traditions, imbuing pride love culture. quotes examples Jews’ context, as they encountered folksongs dances schools: their responses to issue impact such contacts identities. source material comes pre-WWII press, we hear voices themselves, reporting experiences.