12th Scientific Conference of the University of Wrocław in Ostrów Wielkopolski
The 12th edition of the National Conference „Local Ethnic and Religious Communities” took place on November 15th, 2024. The date wasn’t coincidental, as it was planned to happen on the day of the University of Wrocław celebration. The conference was an excellent opportunity for Ostrów Wielkopolski’s inhabitants to familiarize themselves with the university’s importance and the opportunities it presents to young people.
The conference started with an inauguration led by the choir from Władysław Reymont High School Nr 2 in Ostrów Wielkopolski. The choir, supervised by Marzena Machata, performed „Gaudeamus” among other local songs. Dr Krzysztof Morta, head of the University of Wrocław’s Centre for Studies on the History and Culture of Jews from Southern Wielkopolska, gave an inaugural lecture about the history of the Jewish village in Ostrów. Dr Morta reminded the audience that the year 2024 marks 300 years from an official recognition of Jewish people in Ostrów and granting them privileges by the then mayor of the city, Jan Jerzy Przebendowski. Additionally, dr Tomasz Gruchot presented the third volume of the multi-author monograph „Lokalne społeczności etniczno-religijne”, edited by Krzysztof Morta.
After the break, everyone gathered in the Ostrów synagogue had a chance to listen to a series of lectures about the 300th anniversary of Jews in Ostrów. The conference’s speakers who represented not only Poland, but also the United States, revealed many previously unknown facts, igniting lively discussions both in and outside the hall.
Next on the program were speeches regarding other areas of Wielkopolska. Among many interesting topics, one could familiarize themselves with the results of a research conducted at the Jewish cemetery in Koźmin Wielkopolski, listen to the lecture about Arbeitslager Steineck, or learn about lesser known facts such as the Chevra Kadisha burial society in Tykocin and other Podlasie towns, highlighted in Abram Gauwrin’s work.
The conference was organized by dr Krzysztof Morta of the Institute of Classical, Mediterranean and Oriental Studies. The co-organizer from the city’s side was Jarosław Biernaczyk, a historian, regionalist, and an author of many books and articles dedicated to local history.
Translated by Sebastian Halczyk (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
