2025/05/06 by Gajda, Kinga
paper · doi:10.34762/yt3n-p569
The article discusses the evolution of Cold War bunkers, starting from their original military role, through their propagandist functions, to their transformation into elements of cultural heritage. During the Cold War, bunkers symbolized protection against nuclear threats, especially in Eastern Europe, while also serving a psychological function aimed at reinforcing ideology and a sense of danger. After the Cold War, many shelters lost their military significance and were repurposed as cultural spaces, such as museums and galleries. This process, referred to as "cultural demilitarization," gave bunkers new meaning as places of memory and reflection. The contemporary geopolitical situation, including the war in Ukraine, has restored the practical role of bunkers and sparked renewed interest in them as educational and cultural spaces. The article employs historical analysis and memory studies, examining the transformation of bunkers from military objects to spaces for reflection on the past and current threats.