In consideration of the fact that there exists outside Poland a rich legacy left by Polish writers and artists living or deceased, as well as many collections of books, manuscripts, works of art, keepsakes, sets of individual correspondence including those of the editorial offices of newspapers and magazines, together with similar material connected with other social or cultural organisations, the Toruń University Library undertook in 1995 to form a specific archive of such important literary and historical achievement. The project went ahead by initiating a sustained and vigorous effort at securing the relevant sources. The documentation thus obtained was to form the basis of an ever increasing collection. Its purpose was both to create a research establishment and a centre of further studies.

The first important collection thus secured was the full archive of the Polish literary weekly "WIADOMOŚCI", published in London from 1946 until 1981. The Collection was donated by Stefania Kossowska, the last editor of the weekly. During the last 6 years THE POLISH COMMUNITY ARCHIVES achieved the status of an independent unit within the University Library. About 150 other collections of varying size and importance have been added during that period. Thus emerged one of the most important centres of documentation in Poland illustrating the cultural achievements of Poles abroad after the year 1939.

The material thus accumulated within the Toruń Archive is to serve as a research source with particular emphasis on cultural denomination. The specific aims of the Archive being as follows:

1. To collect, determine and study the material relating to individual archives, libraries, documents and memorabilia;
2. To collect works of art of Polish artists, which were created outside Poland;
3. To collect and study the memoirs and autobiographies of living writers, artists and other outstanding personalities of the period;
4. To produce an index relating to other collections at home and abroad dealing with the same subjects;
5. As under 3, but relating to any sources of research at home and abroad;
6. To collect, catalogue and monitor personal biographical data;
7. To publish from time to time parts of the material available and any scientific works based thereon;
8. To cooperate with similar centres, libraries and museums, at home and abroad;
9. To undertake exhibitions, seminars, conferences, etc.;
10. To initiate serious research studies;
11. To facilitate access to the Archives in the University Library;
12. To assist students and researchers wishing to contact writers and study centres of the Polish communities abroad.

The implementation of the above requires that the Archive is always open to accept new material relevant to its purpose. However, in order to safeguard the interests of the donors and maintain their privacy, if it is requested, some files are reserved and can only be reviewed upon special application. The Archive management does not reproduce any material in any form.

The Toruń Archive wishes to enlist the help of all those who may own any suitable material, such as books, or book collections, photographs or memorabilia connected with the activities of Polish communities abroad in the course of the XX century.

The transportation of documents from the USA, Canada, France, Italy and Great Britain has been funded by the Nicholas Copernicus University of Toruń, with assistance from the Lanckoroński of Brzezia Foundation and the Polish Education Foundation. All those interested in the activities of the Toruń Archive and wishing to support it, are kindly invited to send donations to:

Home Page