ZIELONY URSYNÓW, SENTYMENTALNE BIELANY Aleksander Mann, „Dziedzictwo zielony świat Ursynowa”, Wyd. Archidiecezji Warszawskiej, Warszawa 2004, 118 s., 23 il. kolor., 2 plany, format 29,5 x 39,3 cm Jarosław Zieliński, „Bielany. Przewodnik historyczno-sentymentalny”, Warszawa 2003, Wyd. Urząd Dzielnicy Bielany m.st. Warszawy, 212 s., il. kolor., plany, format 15 x 25,5 cm

Last year witnessed the appearance of two publications promoting our cultural heritage and addressed predominantly to the residents of Warsaw and visitors to the capital. The books in question include “Dziedzictwo zielony świat Ursynowa” (The Legacy of the Green World of Ursynów) by Aleksander Mann and “Bielany. Przewodnik historyczno-sentymentalny” (Bielany. A Historical-Sentimental Guidebook) by Jarosław Zieliński. The joint feature shared by the two guides, representing a totally different character and content, consists of a collection of reminiscences by the residents of the titular districts of Warsaw. Family souvenir photographs or reflections pertaining not only to the past but also to the present grant the two books a sentimental hue. “Dziedzictwo zielony świat Ursynowa” is a popular scientific publication which commemorates old Ursynów and adjoining terrains (spanning from Potok Służewiecki to Las Kabacki, and encompassing lots in Puławska Street as well as Grabów, Krasnowola and Pyry) by assuming the form of a portfolio of drawings accompanied by lively commentaries. “Bielany. Przewodnik historyczno-sentymentalny is the outcome of a competition for a guidebook organised in 1999 by the Department of Culture of the then Warsaw-Bielany commune, and contains verified and collected competition entries, suitably supplemented with missing accounts and descriptions of some of the regions of the district. This publication combines the features of a guidebook to the history of Bielany, a classical tourist guide, an information brochure, and a collection of recollections and essays. Both titles were issued thanks to the efforts and financial support of former commune boards; the guidebook dealing with Ursynów was additionally endorsed by the Warsaw Archdiocese, Rev. Tadeusz Wojdat, the local parish priest, and the residents themselves.