Exceptional work – the history of Lodz told anew – investment in knowledge about Lodz
The gathered guests were welcomed by Dr Andrzej Kompa, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and History of the University of Lodz. He stressed that the monograph is an investment in knowledge about Lodz for future generations, an inspiration for the young. Distinguished guests included the University of Lodz Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Education, Professor Robert Zakrzewski; Director of the City Library in Lodz, Halina Bernat; Director of the University of Lodz Library, Tomasz Piestrzyński; Director of the Lodz University Press, Ewa Bluszcz; academics from the Faculty of Philosophy and History at the University of Lodz, Chairman of the Lodz City Council, Marcin Gołaszewski, and Senator Ryszard Bonisławski.
The history of industrial Lodz has received the most attention from researchers over the years, so the authors faced the difficult task of covering it in a different and innovative way. They therefore organise the previous findings, but also reveal new facts to the reader. This is a book about Lodz, which has become the 'promised land'. It is the result of the work of 22 researchers, depicting the history of Lodz between 1820 and 1914 – a time when a small agricultural town was transformed into a major industrial urban centre. It also provides information about the past of the villages near Lodz, now city districts, which at the time were home to tens of thousands of people.
Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska said:
It is extraordinary to be able to hold in your hands the second volume of the magnificent monograph of our city "Łódź przez wieki". I am extremely pleased that you are with us today, in the heart of the University of Lodz, in the University of Lodz Library, and that we can take a closer look at this publication together. This volume is dedicated to the most important period in the history of the city, when it comes to its creation. When we came together to celebrate the release of the first volume, we were extremely proud. We looked at our authors, perhaps not with anxiety, but with admiration that they had managed a great effort. They have succeeded – in such a beautiful form, we are here with you today and holding this wonderful volume in our hands. Thank you and congratulations!
The symbolism of the monograph was highlighted by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and History of the University of Lodz, Prof. Maciej Kokoszko:
This book symbolises continuity, generational continuity. Let us see it as a symbol of cooperation that brings hope for today and perhaps for the next 1,000 years!
Prof. Jarosław Kita thanked the entire team of the Lodz University Press for their enormous contribution to the second volume of the monograph and explained what the reader could find in this part:
This is not only the substantive value of individual chapters, but also the editorial work that have brought such a wonderful effect. I would like to thank all the authors. Volume two of the monograph "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta" [Lodz Through the Ages. History of the City] is almost 750 pages, 150 illustrations, 100 capsules, i.e. sections of text marked in colour to attract attention – curiosities, biographies, prominent figures. The monograph has been written differently, this is a volume that treats Lodz in a different way to previous publications – for the industry to develop there had to be people, people of different nations, faiths, men and women – we can find all this in this publication. It is a book that talks about the people of this city, the artists in the 19th century.
The five-volume monograph accompanies this year's celebrations of the 600th anniversary of granting city rights to Lodz. At the premiere, the Mayor of Lodz, Hanna Zdanowska, thanked the authors and the University of Lodz:
It is a kind of celebration because we are showing the world, but also us, the residents of Lodz, another volume of a publication that we have waited a long time for. This is the first monograph of its kind, which makes that anyone wishing to learn about the history of Lodz will be able to use it. This volume is amazing because it talks about the creation of a city at a remarkable pace from a small settlement. Were we four-cultural or multicultural? What role did women play in 19th century Lodz? Were they just the workforce driving the factories, or were they also the ones who drove the growth of the city? I encourage everyone to delve into the answers to these questions, which can be found in this very volume. I encourage everyone and I myself am eager to delve into this volume because I think we should learn about the true history of our city.
The accompanying exhibition – "Łódź zajmuje mnie i porywa..." [Lodz Occupies and Captivates Me...] and a meeting with the authors
The premiere of the publication was accompanied by the exhibition "Łódź zajmuje mnie i porywa..." The image of the city at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in the collections of the University of Lodz Library. The exhibition is even more unique and valuable because most of the displayed materials that evening were presented in originals. The exhibition is open to the public until 15 December, during the opening hours of the University of Lodz Library.
The exhibition presents a few dozen of the oldest, most valuable and unknown documents from the collection of the University of Lodz Library, related to the history and changes in the wider landscape of Lodz in the years 1820-1914. Photographs, plans, unique official and private manuscript documents and ephemeral prints provide a glimpse into the heyday of a city whose life – in accordance with the guiding principle of the exhibition – "occupies and captivates" [Wł.Reymont] with its diversity and multifaceted nature.
The publication of the second volume of the publication "Łódź poprzez wieki.Historia miasta" as in the case of the first part, is accompanied by an exhibition inspired by the monograph, which can be seen at Matejki 32/38, next to the University of Lodz Library building, also until 15 December.
After the opening of the exhibition, numerous guests, including the Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska, attended a meeting with the authors under the common theme: "Kariera miasta Łodzi. Od rolniczego miasteczka do wielkoprzemysłowej metropolii (1820-1914)" [Career of the City of Lodz. From an agricultural town to a large industrial metropolis (1820-1914)].
The meeting was moderated by Professor Jarosław Kita. Professor Wiesław Puś talked about the formation of a modern and multicultural community in the city. Dr Kamil Śmiechowski explained what the phenomenon of industrial Lodz consisted in. In her speech, Prof. Marta Sikorska referred to the role of women in the development of 19th-century Lodz. Addressing Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska, who was present at the meeting, she emphasised how important a role women also played in the creation of the city's current history. Prof. Joanna Sosnowska talked about charity and philanthropy in industrial Lodz. In turn, Professor Piotr Gryglewski looked at the architectural diversity of industrial Lodz and its suburbs, from town to agglomeration.
The meeting concluded with a discussion, and it was also possible to talk to the authors and get an autograph. A recording of the meeting will soon be available on the YT channel of the University of Lodz, which we encourage you to watch!
"Łódź poprzez wieki". A Monograph Written in Tribute to the City and to the People of Lodz
The monograph "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta" – the chronological arrangement of the volumes:
- "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta. Dzieje Łodzi do 1820 roku" (edited by Tadeusz Grabarczyk)
- "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta. 1821-1914" (edited by Jarosław Kita)
- "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta. 1914-1945" (edited by Przemysław Waingertner)
- "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta. Dzieje Łodzi po 1945 roku" (edited by Krzysztof Lesiakowski)
- "Łódź poprzez wieki. Historia miasta. Suplement." (edited by Mariusz Goss)
The third volume will be published in March 2024, and the fourth one – on 29 July 2024, at the end of the anniversary year of Lodz. The fifth volume containing the so-called oral history will be a supplement to the series and its release date is not yet known.
The main city institutions are involved in the project: the Museum of the City of Lodz, the Museum of Independence Traditions in Lodz, the State Archive in Lodz and the City Library in Lodz, which is the co-editor of the Lodz University Press in this endeavour.
It is a unique undertaking, a work dedicated to all citizens of Lodz. University of Lodz, in cooperation with the City of Lodz, has undertaken the publication of this unusual publication to mark the 600th anniversary of granting city rights to Lodz. During the 598th anniversary of granting city rights to Lodz, a letter of intent to this effect was signed in the garden of the Museum of the City of Lodz – The Izrael Poznański Palace by Mayor of Lodz, Hanna Zdanowska, Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska and the project's partner institutions.
Source:Lodz University Press, University of Lodz Library
Text: Iwona Ptaszek-Zielińska (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz), photos: Mateusz Kowalski (Faculty of Philosophy and History, University of Lodz)
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