MIASTA W DOKUMENCIE ARCHIWALNYM. MAŁE OJCZYZNY – BOLIMÓW WCZORAJ I DZIŚ

Aceremonial inauguration of an Internet project entitled Towns in Archival Documents, available on www.Polska.pl, took place in September this year in Bolimów. It is precisely this location, situated to the east of Łowicz, which inaugurated an Internet presentation of the history of more than ten historical towns in Poland. The www. pages contain 22 handwritten and cartographic documents made available by the State Archives thanks to the NASK Scientific and Academic Computer Network as well as extracted from sources in public and private collections for the purpose of recalling the former splendour and municipal traditions of Bolimów. The intention of the authors was to render possible access to archival sources, and in this way to popularise the history of Poland by using new media. In the near future, the history of other small towns and localities: Bochnia, Brzozów, Chrzanów, Czerwińsk, Kąty, Latowicz, Leżajsk, Łomża, Przeworsk, Skawina, Szreńsk, Warta, Wasilków, Wiśnicz and Zabłudów, will be presented in a similar manner and saved from oblivion. The open form of the presentation made it possible to expand the material by means of assorted souvenirs associated with the place of residence, such as family photographs or reminiscences, in order to encourage a more indepth acquaintance with local history and mould the feeling of local identity. The meeting which inaugurated the project was attended by about 150 invited guests, who were welcomed by Andrzej Jagura, the head of the commune of Bolimów. Brief speeches were given by Doc. Dr. hab. Daria Nałęcz, the Head Director of the State Archives, and Dr. Maciej Kozłowski, Director of the NASK Scientific and Academic Computer Network. The premises of the project were presented by Hubert Wajs, Director of the Main Archive of Old Acts in Warsaw, Marek Marzec, head of www.Polska.pl. Alojzy Orszulik, the bishop of the diocese of Łowicz, Prof. Dr. hab. Michał Kleiber, the Minister of Telecommunication, Ryszard Mikliński, Vice-Minister of Culture, and Senator Grażyna Staniszewska shared their observations with the other participants of the presentation. The meeting ended with a brief discussion which expressed appreciation for the organisers’ initiative and stressed the necessity of its further continuation and development. The presentation closed with artistic performances given by the local school children and students and an Old Polish reception.