Szanowni Państwo!

You have received the newest issue of “Ochrona Zabytków”. It makes its appearance in December, which is a special month in the calendar. It is the month with the most beautiful holiday of all, which is deeply connected with Polish customs. This time we would like this publication, which as usual undertakes many different subjects, to clearly emphasize the importance of tradition in our everyday lives. That is also the reason for the materials devoted to Christmas traditions in the Żywiec region, which is a special place for many reasons. The customs, which ought to be cultivated and recorded, are an integral element of native culture, our immaterial but also important heritage. Caring for spiritual value involves not only those phenomena described here, but also the entire legacy which the past has handed down to us. Among the many other subjects discussed in this issue, I would like to draw your attention to an issue which is raised relatively rarely, though it is particularly important – underwater archeology. The article concerning the residence of shÿgun Ashikaga in Kyoto comes to us from a far away and exotic place. We also write about problems associated with maintaining the castle in Besiekiery, or those of historic church bells in Great Poland. We hope that the variety of subjects in this issue of “Ochrona Zabytków” will be well received, and that every Reader will find something that is of particular interest to him or her. That is our aim – “Ochrona Zabytków” is intended to reach the widest possible audience, constitute a forum in which to exchange ideas and experiences, and encourage people who are not professionally associated with the art of conservation and protection of historic artifacts to broaden their knowledge. We wish you a peaceful, fulfilling and joyful Christmas holiday, and success, happiness, health and dreams come true in the New Year, 2006. Respectfully yours, Jacek Rulewicz Director of the National Centre for Historical Monument Studies and Documentation