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1

TOMASZ MERTA 1965-2010

100%

Rouba B. J.

Ochrona Zabytków

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2009

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issue 2

96-99

EN

“…Heritage is a great national treasury, which stores absolutely everything that influenced and continues to affect the moulding of our identity…” Tomasz Merta, Nieodzowność konserwatyzmu. W odpowiedzi Timothy’emu Snyderowi, „Res Publica Nowa”, listopad 1997, nr 126, s. 54. When five years ago Minister Tomasz Merta was appointed General Conservator of Historical Monuments, our milieu assumed an anticipatory stand and full of uncertainty observed how he would fulfil this function. He was expected to tackle the increasingly complicated situation of the Service for the Protection of Historical Monuments, serious problems emerging and surrounding us on all sides, the prominent battle for “centralisation”, suspended in a void, insufficient staff, low wages, and the relegation of our difficulties by the world of politics to the margin… We were anxious about the time needed to introduce a person “from another world” to our specific concerns. After all, he was totally unfamiliar with them and with us – who had shared years of joint debates, conferences and confrontations concerning differently comprehended but ultimately similar causes, and involved in the welfare of historical monuments. Tomasz Merta managed to overcome this barrier, observing the people around him and seeking those whom he could trust, and whose opinions could be regarded as objective and free from egoism, and for whom concern for historical monuments was an actual priority. He did so in an extremely discreet manner, but consistently. As an excellent and keen observer, he was interested in learning about the situation of the conservation milieu. Tomasz Merta treated the Council for the Protection of Historical Monuments very seriously – as an advisory and auxiliary body and not as an obstacle. He always attended its sessions, and whenever his multiple duties made it possible he participated from the beginning to the very end. Already during his first term in office, once he realised just how many problems he was compelled to face and how serious was the overall situation, he invited the Council for longer meetings. Separated from the greenery and tranquillity of the Radziejowice palace park by a white curtain fluttering in the breeze, we spent long summer afternoons discussing fervently every issue possible. Upon certain occasions, our meetings produced heated disputes. Minister Merta calmly listened to all the arguments, at times giving the impression of being deeply lost in thought and as if only partially present. He never took notes, but at the end summed up the hourslong discussion by analysing all the mentioned questions, referring them to a wider backdrop of social phenomena and proposing a synthesis. The aptness of his conclusions was always astonishing! Upon the occasion of assorted conferences and a joint celebration of the International Day of Historical Monuments, Tomasz Merta made speeches – these were by no means the glib words of a politician or populistic praises of the milieu. Each time, he touched upon the most essential aspects of the protection of the national heritage, its determinants and the relations between the monument and society, trying to understand, deliberate and refer to the topics of current discussions. His words were not conceived as instruction or an attempt at an arbitrary solution of controversial issues. These were the subtle reflections of an intellectual, presented in the manner of essays about our connections with historical monuments and obligations towards them. Each speech went further and dealt with new areas. I am well aware of the fact that I was not the only person eagerly awaiting his next statement. When in April 2009 we met in Leżajsk to analyse the significance of authenticity, competent opinions were interspersed with highly contentious declarations. Half a year later, in Toruń, Minister Merta returned to the value of the authenticity of historical monuments and the original. This time, he went a step further. He discreetly reminded his listeners, tired of daily battles waged for salvaging monuments from greed, and frequently simply from a lack of common sense, that not only original qualities are of importance. The Minister spoke about the significance of history recorded in each monument, and recalled the relevance of the preservation of their authentic form so that they would document the time of their origin as well as the time that had passed since. This is the time in which they coexisted with generations of our ancestors and amassed and recorded traces of war, neglect or respect and care. In this subtle way he expanded our field of observation and, for all practical purposes, delineated successive tasks. Tomasz Merta appreciated the value of authenticity He also understood the essence of protection and the fact that this was a joint task – both ours and his. Tomasz Merta told us that conservation never ends, and that the ideas of refurbishing and preservation are eternal. He was disturbed by the fact that contemporary times alter the relations between people and objects, and that man’s attitude towards things is becoming nonchalant and arrogant – this is the reason why so many would like to replace the old with the new. He considered this particular feature of social transformations as extremely dangerous for the realisation of our mission of protection. When in November 2008 we met in Wojanów to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Service for the Protection of Historical Monuments, the prevailing mood was despondent. Only conservators were present. Enclosed within our own milieu, we presented successive recollections and reflections, proving to ourselves that we are but a diminutive particle of society, albeit important, hard working and with imposing accomplishments. Minister Merta managed to join us in the late evening, straight from Paris, although being quite ill he should have gone home. He knew, however, that he could not leave us alone in those circumstances. On his part, this was a magnificent gesture of respect to the whole conservation milieu. While engaged in political battles for the protection of historical monuments, and especially against the ill-fated “centralisation”, he encountered considerable obstacles. The tendency to relegate culture to the margin, especially in the case of the requirements of conservation, was the reason why the target, which upon several occasions he appeared to be so close to attaining, suddenly became distant and everything had to be commenced anew. Each time, Minister Merta was ready to hand in his resignation – he was crushed by successive failures. Not always were we capable of appreciating his efforts aimed at guaranteeing historical monuments and our milieu the suitable interest of legislators and representatives of state administration. With incredible culture, reserve, tact and calmness he explained to us the complicated labyrinths of ministerial offices, the principles of and reasons for his own conduct, and the political conditions decisive for our situation. We trusted him because his activity incessantly confirmed that all his endeavours were ultimately pursued for the sake of historical monuments. Tomasz Merta was greatly concerned with the fate of the conservation services staff, He considered our humiliating wages to be one of many degrading factors, and thus was greatly pleased when at the beginning of 2009 he finally managed to achieve considerable salary rises. His sensitivity, culture and unique intellect were the reasons why every meeting with him and every conversation proved to be a fascinating and enhancing event. Now, his sudden loss came as a painful experience to all…

2

Od Redakcji

100%

Ochrona Zabytków

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1984

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issue 4

231-232

EN

Although we tr y avoid monothematic editions, which might be monotonous, we have made an exception to the rule in the belief that the scientific conference on the Problems of the Conservation of the Racławice Panorama, organised by the Wroclaw Section of the State Ateliers for Conservation of Cultural Property on 27—28 April, 1984, merits special attention. A body of over two hundred of the most outstanding Polish coTtservators of art took part in the meeting which abounded with presentations and discussions supplemented with a film show featuring the history of the Panorama and its conservation. We have decided to publish all the presentations for the following reasons: Firstly, to pay respect to the team ,of young conservators from Wroclaw who took a cool well-balanced decision on the choice of the best technology and conservation agents and then performed a tremendous job with panache. All the members of the conference saw the 1800 m* of the canvas with the conserved oil paintwork. When the present edition reaches our readers, the work ori stencilling of the impaired paintwork and the dimmensional arrangement of the artificial terrain separating the viewer from the canvas will have been completed. The whole object will exert y e t again its artistic and social impact. Secondly, we unshed to show the complexity of modern conservation of the works of art which is truly interdisciplinary in its scope. Had it not been for the co-operation of specialised teams outside of PKZ (the Ateliers for Conservation of Cultural Property), the difficulties ufpuld have been almost insurmountable. Thirdly, by presenting the h istory of the Panorama, and particularly the public contribution to the creation of the picture, its rescue and conservation we wanted to highlight the social phenomenon so encouraging to the conservators of cultural property. Of the people's w ill th ey had a unique chance in their lifetime to undertake a challenging task and perform it successfully. While the state of the monuments of our architecture and building engineering is discussed with apprehension, the concern with the growing social indifference to the preservation of the national cultural inheritance is expressed (the editors do not share this view), the history of the Racławice Panorama gives us a boost. Fourthly, we have selected this theme also to highlight the achievements of the 40 years of the Polish People's Republic in the protection and conservation of the cultural heritage. We believe that the content of this edition reflects not only the fruitful effort of our conservators but also the scope of task they are capable of. Hence not only their achievements as such are presented but also their standing and ability to meet the social demand is divulged. In principle, the te x t of articles is identical with the papers presented at the conference. The reader will find repetitions and other characteristics of an orally delivered text. We think w e owe i t to the authors as well as to the other members of the conference to preserve the authenticity of their presentations keeping them free from editorial doctoring. The General Conservator of Cultural Property offered us the te x t of his statement published in 1983, his share in a broad discussion on the role of cultural heritage in contemporary life. This te x t is printed first although it does not purport to be an introduction nor was it intended as such. Nevertheless we deemed it appropriate to insert, in our special edition, this statement on the role and standing of the protection and conservation of cultural inheritance in Poland.

3

Prace Komisji Konserwatorskiej w Ministerstwie Kultury i Sztuki

80%

Lutostańska A.

Ochrona Zabytków

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1983

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issue 1-2

132-138

4

Szanowni Czytelnicy

80%

Florjanowicz P.

Ochrona Zabytków

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2009

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issue 2

3-4

EN

Dear Readers! We are pleased to offer you a new issue of „Ochrona Zabytków - according to information on the cover, its number is 2/2009, although actually it is already the middle of 2010. This difference results from the fact that in the last few years there were shorter or longer gaps between consecutive issues oj our quarterly; which we endeavour to catch up with, at the same time trying to maintain the continuity o f numeration. rThis discrepancy between dates on the cover and the content o f successive issues has not constituted a major problem so far. However, this issue o f „Ochrona Zabytków" requires a special commentary because oj tremendous importance o f the tragic event that happened on 10 April this year and brought a painful loss to our circle, too. The publication that you are holding in your hands contains a memory o f the late Tomasz Merta, Deputy Minister o f Culture and National Heritage, General Conservator o f Monuments from 2005 till 2010, who died in the crash o f the Polish President's plane near Smolensk. The Minister was an outstanding General Conservator o f Monuments, who was fully dedicated to his work. He treated it as a mission aimed at ensuring optimum conditions for the maintenance o f our common heritage. He esteemed very highly the work and achievements o f conservators o f monuments and expressed deep understanding for their mission, but he also emphasized the need to undertake actions for the increase o f joint social responsibility for the heritage. He had immense confidence in the people he contacted. It was a really great honour to co-operate with Him. The Minister was also a regular reader oj „Ochrona Zabytków”, which was and still remains a real source oj pride for us. We hope that this issue would also be received by Him with appreciation and some constructive criticism as well. In this issue we focus once more on the matter o f cultural parks. The example oj Zgierz illustrates perfectly how effectively this form o f monument protection can contribute to the regeneration o f urban areas (with a wide spectrum o f potential activities). In another article we present the Skarżyńscy Palace in Studzieniec - a site which is currently ruined, but deserves a good study which we hope will help to save it. From among theoretical studies, we recommend considerations oj the selected aspects oj conservation theories by Alois Riegl and Cesare Prandi, which provide much inspiration and are an extremely topical subject in the context o f ongoing discussions on the philosophy o f the heritage protection system in our country. In this section you will also fin d an article on the legal aspects o f archaeological heritage protection, which is discussed on the example oj Peru and helps to gain a broader perspective o f dangers that concern this special category oj monuments. Phis issue is complemented by an article on the harmful impact oj mould fungi on panel painting, which is addressed to practical experts in monument conservation. I invite you to read our magazine! Respectfu lly yours Paulina Florjanowicz Acting as Director of the National Heritage Board of Poland

5

Dyskusja o nowelizacji "Ustawy o ochronie dóbr kultury i o muzeach" z 1962 r.

80%

Krzyżanowski L.

Ochrona Zabytków

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1984

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issue 1

64

6

Jan Zachwatowicz (4.III.1900-18.VIII.1983)

80%

Biegański P.

Ochrona Zabytków

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1983

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issue 3-4

159-161

7

Aktualne problemy prawne i finansowe ochrony zabytków w Polsce w dobie przekształceń ustrojowych państwa

70%

Dobosz P.

Ochrona Zabytków

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2000

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issue 1

12-18

EN

The presented reflections encompass an analysis of the cu rren t Polish model of the protection of cultural heritage against the backdrop of a reform of administrative and territorial structures, introduced at the beginning of 1999. In a systemic interpre tation, the question of dividing the tasks o f the protection of historical monuments is associated with the establishment of two new units of territorial self- -g overnment (the county and the voivodeship) and a reform of the government administration at the voivodeship level, due to which the post of the voivodeship conservator of historical monuments, embedded in Polish tradition, was expanded under the supervision of the voivode by imposing executive tasks carried out, on the one hand, ex lege in the name of the voivode, who acts as an administrative organ; on the other hand, the conservator was granted distinct material-legal tasks, which he performs as a separate organ. In turn, the rank of the General Conservator of Historical Monuments became a political function, whose holder could become the object of decisions made by the ruling coalition; as a result, changes concerning the holder of this post are possible at any given time. Consequently, the function in question is not affected by the impact of civil service legislation norms. The author goes on to analyse other d e te rminants of the present-day Polish model of the protection of historical monuments, such as the state of social awareness, the disintegration of legislation concerning the p ro tection of cultural heritage by means of a separation of issues dealing with the protection of cultural property from the museum system, as well as a gradual “archaisation” of legislation pertaining to the protection of cultural property, whose basic resolutions date back to 1962, the financial conditions of the state, public-legal unions, i. e. units of territorial self-government and society, the subjectivisation of units, a reform of the administrative court system, etc. The above-presented text was read in 1999 at a ceremonial inauguration of the Little Poland Cultural Heritage Days, held in a manor house in Modlnica near Cracow, and organised by regional self-government authorities.

8

Zespół Ekspertów – 10 lat w służbie ochrony zabytków

61%

Nekanda-Trepka E.

Ochrona Zabytków

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2012

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issue 1-2

95-100

EN

The Team of Experts was formed on the rising tide of the changes that occurred in our country and in the system of monument protection after 1989. An independent office of the General Conservator of Monuments which, apart from the Centre for Documentation of Monuments, needed a team of experts and specialists who could advise on adjudicating cases of the second instance. In the autumn of 1992, a decision was made that the Team of Experts on Architecture, Urban Planning, and Cultural Landscape would be created from the 1st of January 1993 as a department of the Centre for Documentation of Monuments. I was entrusted with the task of creating it in September 1992. An action programme was created at the time, along with an interdisciplinary team made up of a former member of the Team of Experts of the Interdepartmental Committee and new employees connected with Warsaw’s universities. In November 1993, we managed to create a list of experts, a group of several hundred people the help of whom could be used by both the monument protection services and the Team. We cooperated closely with the Regional Centres that we asked to prepare opinions on the cases from their areas. The Team of Experts mainly received cases investigated by the General Conservator of Monuments. In accordance with the 1962 Act on the protection of cultural property, we tried to protect all the monuments whose owners applied for removing from the register. Applications for removal were the inspiration to look for new solutions to save the monuments: the faience factory in Włocławek (the reason for organising an international conference on the revitalisation of monuments of technology), factories in Żyrardów and Sosnowiec, and the “Guido” coal mine in Zabrze. The Team maintained numerous international relations, the employees took part in courses, conferences, trade shows, and study tours, and our experience was desirable in the East (Kamyanets-Podilsky 1994). Our report concerning the church in Tum near Łęczyca presented to the main conservation committee enabled the use of financial resources, saving the church. We also began working on a new standard of urban documentation. However, field works and works on the conservation guide were discontinued after some changes have been introduced in the ministry. By the decision of the Minister of Culture and Art, the Centre for the Protection of Public Art Collections was transformed into the Centre for the Protection and Conservation of Monuments, and the Team of Experts along with the specialists was moved to that centre. In the autumn of 1998, the CPCM returned to its previous name and scope of activity, and the Team of Experts returned to the CDM. Unfortunately, the entire structure of the monument protection services has already disintegrated. The reconstruction of the Team in its previous make-up was impossible, and expectations towards the Team were limited. In 2000, after a new group of experts has been appointed and introduced under the supervision of the General Conservator of Monuments, a return to a strong monument protection service was no longer possible. This is why in 2001, I left the Team and took up the post of the Warsaw Conservator of Monuments.

9

In Memoriam

61%

Polak T.

Ochrona Zabytków

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1984

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issue 2

107-116

10

50-lecie pracy prof. Jerzego Remera

50%

Ochrona Zabytków

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1966

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issue 2

8

11

Dwadzieścia lat działalności ośrodków regionalnych

41%

Marcinek R.

Ochrona Zabytków

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2012

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issue 1-2

81-93

EN

Since their foundation on the 1st of July 1991 until now, the Regional Centres and their founding body – the Centre for Documentation of Monuments have been subject to changes and transformations. On the 29th of July 1998, the Minister of Culture and Art approved the existence of 11 Regional Centres for Studies and Protection of Cultural Environment. At the beginning of 2003, CDM was transformed into the National Centre for Research and Documentation of Monuments, and the RCSPCEs into Regional Centres for Research and Documentation of Monuments. Yet another change of the name of the Regional Centres into Local Divisions of the NCRDM occurred in 2010. Since the 1st of January 2011, these institutions have been operating as the Local Divisions of the National Heritage Board of Poland. The idea of the interdisciplinary nature of the Centres’ personnel remains unchanged. Collecting, processing, and sharing information about the region’s heritage and cultural environment had and still has a permanent and fundamental value. In the beginnings of the Centres’ existence, it was important to make the local administration aware of the significance and value of cultural property for the development of local communities. In the mid-1990s, the Regional Centres became partners of local governments in the implementation of tasks related to the protection of monuments and the cultural environment. They cooperated with conservation services and nature conservation institutions. In 2001, a programme of field verification of the register of monuments was prepared, which was resumed thanks to directors M. Gawlicki and P. Florjanowicz, and is still being carried out presently. Modern forms of documentation were introduced. After 1995, the Regional Centres received the records and resources of the former PP PKZ (State Enterprise Monument Conservation Studios). The archives became available for the circle of researchers and students. In 2002, the Centres began cooperating with Marshal Offices creating web portals which featured verified information about cultural heritage. Cooperation with local governments resulted in the implementation of the “Programmes for the Guardianship of Monuments” and the creation of a methodological guide on the subject, among others. Problem-based conferences organised by the Centres were and still are very significant. A new form of monument protection – cultural park, was created partly thanks to the experiences of the employees of the Regional Centres. The Centres’ activity is visible when drawing up applications for monuments of history and inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Archaeological research, and gathering knowledge about archaeological sites and finds have all the time been included in the orbit of the Centres’ tasks and interests. Since 1993, the Centres have organised the European Heritage Days. This activity results in the engagement of local governments, regional societies, PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society), and the media in the preparation of the EHD. For years, publishing activity in the form of cyclical publications, periodicals, and books has been carried out on a large scale. The Centres have initiated and developed projects of cultural trails, including the wooden architecture trail. Since 1992, the Centres have established cooperation with heritage institutions in Slovakia, Lithuania, and Germany (the inscription of the Muskauer Park on the UNESCO World Heritage List). The Regional Centres have cooperated with international organisations, and helped with organising international activities of the headquarters. In the 20 years of their existence, the Centres have carried out enormous work related to the documentation of the Polish cultural heritage. They have significantly contributed to hundreds of conferences, symposiums, and trainings. They have convinced local authorities that the cultural landscape and monuments attract tourists and investments. The verification of the register of monuments, which is being carried out right now, is an attempt at a systemic review of the resources and the state of protection of monuments in Poland. The Centres make up a network of the most deeply settled field agencies of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, providing access to up-to-date information from the regions, the monitoring of monuments, and the possibility to directly communicate the state politics in the regions.

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11 Ochrona Zabytków

1 Biegański P.

1 Dobosz P.

1 Florjanowicz P.

1 Krzyżanowski L.

1 Lutostańska A.

1 Marcinek R.

1 Nekanda-Trepka E.

1 Polak T.

1 Rouba B. J.

2 2012

2 2010

1 2000

3 1984

2 1983

1 1966

TOMASZ MERTA 1965-2010

Od Redakcji

Prace Komisji Konserwatorskiej w Ministerstwie Kultury i Sztuki

Szanowni Czytelnicy

Dyskusja o nowelizacji "Ustawy o ochronie dóbr kultury i o muzeach" z 1962 r.

Jan Zachwatowicz (4.III.1900-18.VIII.1983)

Aktualne problemy prawne i finansowe ochrony zabytków w Polsce w dobie przekształceń ustrojowych państwa

Zespół Ekspertów – 10 lat w służbie ochrony zabytków

In Memoriam

50-lecie pracy prof. Jerzego Remera

Dwadzieścia lat działalności ośrodków regionalnych