National styles – architecture constructed between the apotheosis of a nation and acceptance of the co-existence of a community of nations

The phenomenon of national styles as cultural constructs can be seen in the context of the theory of ‘tradition invented’ by Eric Hobsbawm. The basis of this theory is the simplification of the creation of imaginary and, to some extent, fictitious traditions but based on authentic, existing principles. Buildings erected in the national style were intended to create a uniform space saturated with national elements. The aim of this architectural ideology was the apotheosis of the nation. Nowadays, the phenomenon of national styles has completely disappeared. No new objects are erected in these styles. However, the perception of the preserved works of architecture in the national style has evolved. There are now perceived as objects with stylistically diverse decor.

Keywords: national style in architecture, Zakopane style, invented tradition, pluralism in architecture

Streszczenie

Fenomen stylów narodowych jako konstruktów kulturowych można rozpatrywać w kontekście teorii „tradycji wynalezionej” autorstwa Erica Hobsbawma. Zasadą tej teorii jest w uproszczeniu tworzenie wymyślonych, do pewnego stopnia fikcyjnych tradycji, opartych jednak na zasadach autentycznych, istniejących. Budowle wznoszone w stylu narodowym miały tworzyć jednolitą przestrzeń nasyconą pierwiastkami narodowymi. Celem tej architektonicznej ideologii była apoteoza narodu. W obecnych czasach fenomen stylów narodowych uległ całkowitemu zanikowi. Nie wznosi się nowych obiektów w tych stylach. Natomiast percepcja zachowanych dzieł architektury w stylu narodowym przeszła ewolucję. Obecnie odbiera sie je jako obiekty o zróżnicowanym stylistycznie wystroju.

The phenomenon of national styles as cultural constructs can be seen in the context of the theory of ‘tradition invented’ by Eric Hobsbawm. The basis of this theory is the simplification of the creation of imaginary and, to some extent, fictitious traditions but based on authentic, existing principles. Buildings erected in the national style were intended to create a uniform space saturated with national elements. The aim of this architectural ideology was the apotheosis of the nation. Nowadays, the phenomenon of national styles has completely disappeared. No new objects are erected in these styles. However, the perception of the preserved works of architecture in the national style has evolved. There are now perceived as objects with stylistically diverse decor.