Szanowni Państwo,

• Authors: Gliński Piotr

Title variants

EN

Dear Readers,

• Languages of publication: PL EN

Abstracts

EN

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was born out of the most tragic experience suffered by Europe and the world. The World War II cost millions of human lives and led to the loss of vast cultural resources and the annihilation of entire cities. It was at that time that the idea began to emerge that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”, which was subsequently included in the Preamble to the UNESCO Constitution. Poland was among the founding states of the new organisation and soon joined in its activities. Looking from behind the Iron Curtain, Poles saw UNESCO as a window onto the world and a platform for the exchange of ideas as well as contacts with other countries. Today, after more than seven decades of extensive international cooperation, Poland has the great honour of organising the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee and of hosting representatives of 193 countries around the world, who are prominent experts involved in the preservation of humanity’s most valuable resources. It is also a unique opportunity to present our country’s cultural achievements and heritage. Art galleries, museums, jazz concerts, openair exhibitions, and film screenings are all part of the vibrant cultural landscape of contemporary Poland. Our experience in rescuing cultural heritage has become a well-established tradition. The expertise of Polish archaeologists and monument protection specialists has served not only in the grand project of rebuilding Polish cultural heritage destroyed during the World War II, but also in rescuing endangered sites around the globe, notably in the Middle and Far East. Poland’s active participation in UNESCO structures has also left a mark in the legal field. The Polish professor Jan Zachwatowicz co-authored the Hague Convention of 1954 and designed the ‘Blue Shield’ sign which has become recognisable around the world. The ratification of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1976 paved the way for Polish entries on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As many as 14 sites representing the diversity and richness of Polish culture and history have been identified as worthy of recognition for their Outstanding Universal Value. The sites on the World Heritage List in Poland include Kraków, a city with an unbroken continuity of material culture, and Warsaw’s reconstructed historic Old Town with the Royal Castle. The beauty of historic Kraków and the power of Warsaw reborn from the ashes are two important components of Polish identity. UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register also comprises the archives of the Warsaw Reconstruction Office set up after the war. In today’s world, marked by the tragedy of Aleppo and the plight of Palmyra, the reconstruction of Warsaw and the painstaking efforts to restore its monuments offer a positive message to all those who have lost their cities in war. Indeed, instead of marking the end of its existence, the destruction of a city may become the beginning of its reconstruction. I hope you enjoy this special issue of the “Ochrona Zabytków”, devoted to various aspects of the preservation of Polish cultural heritage. Let me also take this opportunity to wish all the participants of the 41st Session of the World Heritage Committee fruitful discussions, a great time, and a memorable stay in Kraków. prof. dr. PIOTR GLIŃSKI Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Culture and National Heritage

Keywords

PL

Światowe Dziedzictwo UNESCO; 41. sesja Komitetu Światowego Dziedzictwa UNESCO; Narodowy Instytut Dziedzictwa; Ochrona Zabytków; World Heritage Review

EN

41st session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

• Publisher: Narodowy Instytut Dziedzictwa
• Journal: Ochrona Zabytków
• Year: 2017
• Issue: Dodatek Specjalny. Dziedzictwo w Polsce.
• Pages: 7-8

Dates

published

2017

Contributors

author

Gliński Piotr

• prof. dr., Wiceprezes Rady Ministrów Minister Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego

Identifiers

ISSN

0029-8247