He was a member of the Polish Communist Party for 18 years (1950 - 1968)
Bronislaw Geremek was a genuine " communist" who left the Communist party when USSR invaded Prague and felt desillusionned and betrayed like many intellectuals of those days such as Jean Paul Sartre ,the poet Louis Aragon, etc.
I would argue with this excuse. He joined to the PZPR in late Stalinist era. He did not resign after Hungarian revolution was brutally crushed (add Poznan events). This doesn't look very idealistic.
Basically, because of such people I spend whole my childhood in the communist state...
They have done more damage than good to Poland via their communist party affiliation, however, they still have their numerous supporters from Liberal and Leftist circles who will insist otherwise.
I would care less about their former party membership, if they would do successful transformation. However this is not the case, it was a disaster.
Many of these former communists immediately jumped ship and on to the opposition band wagon when they saw Soviet control over Polish society eroding. They had no choice. With help and excellent positive press coverage (or propaganda) from the liberal media, the average Polish citizen was brainwashed into thinking they were 'good intellectuals' who were alleged integral factors in overthrowing Communism. Most people know better though. Michnik displays more of his propaganda in his recent "Gazeta" article of praise for Geremek's achievements.
I completely agree with this part of your post. People from his circles, practically controlled mainstream media after 1989. They were showing themselves in good light and apologizing every single swindle. While
all kind of political opponents were portrayed as some freaks.
He was always a great historian and a free spirit and he did everything he could to promote Poland to be accepted in the European Union before 2004.
Yes, exactly. He is co-responsible for incorporation of our state to the EU.
