Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Nauk im. Walentego Roździeńskiego w Katowicach

• Authors: Hojka Zbigniew

Title variants

EN

The Walenty Roździeński Society of Friends of Sciences of North Silesia in Katowice

• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

Genesis of the Society of Friends of Sciences of North Silesia goes back to the nineties of the 19th century, when in 1892 in Bytom the Literary Society of North Silesia was founded. On its basis, in 1920 the Society of Friends in Silesia was created with a seat in Katowice. It was headed in turn by: Dr. Brunon Kudera and Rev. Emil Szramek. The first years of the Society’s existence were characterised by certain stagnation, which changed thanks to participation of Rev. Emil Szramek, who was simultaneously editor-in-chief of the “Yearbooks of the Society of Friends of Sciences in Silesia”. He wrote about Silesian history, the history of the Catholic and Evangelical church, ethnography, painting, literature, music, economy, education, culture and prominent people. In 1932, the Society created “Fontes” publication. Another form of Society’s activity was organisation of scientifi c-popular lectures on both history and culture of Silesia, as well as the economy of Silesian province. The Society co-operated i.a. with the Jagiellonian University and Polska Akademia Umiejętności. When the war broke out, it was forced to discontinue its activities, Rev. Szramek was arrested and sent to Dachau concentration camp, where he was murdered in 1942. After the war, the Society was reactivated under the new name of Silesian-Dąbrowa Society of Friends of Sciences, which focused on shaping scientifi c life in the province, organising lectures and on editorial activity. In 1950, it was renamed once again into Silesian Scientifi c Society. The same year it was liquidated and on its basis a branch of Poznań Western Institute was set up. On the initiative of Wilhelm Szewczyk, Prof. Alojzy Melih and Jan Mitręga, in 1989 the Society was reactivated under the name The Walenty Roździeński Society of Friends of Sciences of North Silesia. Its purpose was to promote the scientific results of Silesian science and culture knowledge about Silesia, forecasting solutions in ecology, economy and technology in the region. Particular emphasis was put on commemorating important facts and persons in the history of Upper Silesia. Presidents of the Society at that time were in turn: Prof. Andrzej Brożek, Prof. Czesław Głombik, Prof. Józef Śliwiok, Dr. Jacek Kurek. The Society became involved in the action of commemorating well-known Silesians by way of giving their names to streets, institutions and schools. It organised symposiums and seminars accompanied by cultural events, mainly chamber concerts. In addition to promotion of Upper Silesia, current problems of the region were dealt with: pro-environmental activities, publishing activity within the Society’s university.Its editor-in-chief until 2013 was Prof. Józef Śliwiok. The Society was an honorary patron of numerous scientifi c and popular conferences. The Society co-operated with: the Polish Academy of Sciences in Katowice, Silesian University, Musical Academy in Katowice, Economic University in Katowice, Silesian Technical University, Silesian Medical University, Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, Silesian Institute in Opole, Silesian Museum and Silesian Library. In order to favour outstanding people of Upper Silesia, on the initiative of Prof. Śliwiok the Society established the Laurels of the Walenty Roździeński Society of Friends of Sciences of the Upper Silesia.

Keywords

PL

towarzystwa naukowe; nauka na Śląsku; kultura

EN

scientific societies; science in Silesia; culture

• Publisher: Polska Akademia Nauk. Instytut Historii Nauki im. Ludwika i Aleksandra Birkenmajerów
• Journal: Analecta. Studia i Materiały z Dziejów Nauki
• Year: 2018
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 1(52)
• Pages: 97-115

Contributors

author

Hojka Zbigniew

• Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach