Factors of exceptional significance for the development of the identity of Gdańsk included the location of the town on the sea coast, the confrontation of assorted cultures, especially those of the German and Slavonic worlds, Polish-German contacts and a combination of Kashubian regionalism with the reality of the eastern borderlands (Polish-Belorussian- Lithuanian-Ukrainian, etc.), an openness to outside impact and an acceptance of various models of attitude and conduct characteristic for the “outsiders”, which produced a highly original syncretic local culture, as wellas a tendency to perfect the services, envisaged as the foundation of economic existence (port and tourist town), and to turn the local “unique ambience”, consisting of prosperity, hospitality, tolerance and freedom, into a myth. Gdańsk introduced into the Polish and European cultural heritage such values as the propagation of the idea of liberty, self-government, the individuality of each citizen, as well as sociopolitical and economic activity. In modern times, civic injunctions have been recalled by sentences inscribed on public buildings, such as Nec temere, nec temide featured on the Town Hall of the Main Town. Another important message is contained in the allegories of Liberty, Wealth, Peace, Glory, Wisdom, Piety, Justice and Harmony, displayed on the entrance gate and executed in 1648 by the sculptor Piotr Ringering. The positive opinion about the town was created by foreign visitors who usually expressed their admiration in various ways – the Italian philosopher Marquis d’Oria presented Gdańsk with his book collections, thus inaugurating a public library. In a letter addressed to Sebastian Castellio, professor at Basel University, the Marquis wrote: “Here you would enjoy the greatest freedom to live, write and publish according to your disposition. No one is a censor. You would be living among congenial people who protect you (something you find particularly likable), and who share your cause”.
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