Exhibition of polonika at University Library
The Library of the University of Wrocław invites you to a unique exhibition, summarizing the implementation of the ministerial project titled “Polonika XVI–XVIII-wieczne ze zbiorów Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej we Wrocławiu – opracowanie, digitalizacja i upublicznienie w sieci”. (eng. “Polonika of the 16th-18th centuries from the collection of the University Library in Wrocław – processing, digitization and making it public online”).
It will be about writing humble letters, Renaissance bribes and French flames.We’ll also find out what stink bugs were used for and try to answer an 18th century riddle!
The exhibition will feature very rare and unique editions of books related to Poland. These include Polish language textbooks: dictionaries, primers, excerpts from fiction and sample correspondence, from which you can learn what you had to write when applying for service with the governor. We also show Polish-language ordinances of Prussian kings, an invaluable source of knowledge about the history of law and customs
We will also remind you that the former Republic was a country of many faiths and cultures – read prayer books, religious polemics, prints containing ideas establishing faiths come from the Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Arian religions. Examples include dissenter prints from Leszno, which became an asylum for the Bohemian Brethren in the 17th century.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to admire prints showing the network of connections between the Polish and European cultural and political elite. Among them will be Erasmus of Rotterdam’s work “Lingua,” published in Basel in 1526, with a dedication to Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland. Another interesting exhibit is the commentaries on the Acts of John Calvin, dedicated to Mikołaj Radziwiłł, Grand Marshal of Lithuania.
These and many other fascinating old prints will be on display in the “Pyramid” exhibition room (level 3) of the University Library in Wrocław. The exhibition will be available until the end of January. For a tour with commentary, join us every Wednesday at 12:00 pm.
To participate, please apply by email to: osd.bu@uwr.edu.pl
Organised groups are requested to contact us in advance to individually arrange the date and details of the visit.
You are cordially invited!
Author: mgr Diana Codogni-Łańcucka, Department of Old Prints, Library of the University of Wrocław
Date of publication: 13.01.2025
Added by: M.J.
