31 August 2005

The Zamoyskis in the History of Poland: Politics, Economy, Law and Culture.

The Zamoyski noble clan of Jelita has added some beautiful chapters to the history of Poland, in particular during the past five centuries. Among landed gentry and aristocratic families, they played a special role in all areas of importance to the state and nation: economic, social, political and cultural life. Enterprising but frugal, the family always worked for the good of Poland and Poles.

June 3, 2005 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Jan Zamoyski, the most outstanding member of the family. His figure and activity in the second half of the 16th and early 17th centuries continues to be a subject of discussion among historians. For nearly two hundred years in Polish history, he has remained a controversial figure. Hence the initiative among historians at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) to organize a nationwide conference on the anniversary of the Grand Hetman's death, to discuss recent views concerning his role in the history of the Polish Commonwealth and, on a wider scale, of the Zamoyskis in the history of Poland. UMCS President Prof. Marian Harasimiuk became interested in the idea and, in cooperation with Zamość Mayor Marcin Zamoyski, led to its incorporation in the program of the Year of Zamość.

We subsequently addressed the offer to all historical societies in the country and abroad: Germany, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, requesting participants in the conference to focus on two themes-Jan Zamoyski and his era, and the Zamoyskis' contribution to the history of Poland.

The number of submitted proposals surpassed our expectations, with more than 90 papers entered from Poland and abroad. Not all of those who submitted an idea followed through with their proposals, therefore the conference program will feature a total of 86 papers.

In terms of speakers, the conference may be described as the largest in the history of Zamość, greater in this respect than earlier conferences in 1929, 1980 and 1994/95.

Conference speakers will include outstanding specialists of well-established academic reputation, such as Jan Zamoyski's biographer-Prof. Stanisław Grzybowski; historian of Zamoyski's patronage and cultural activity-Prof. Jerzy Kowalczyk; authors of numerous studies on the cultural milieu surrounding Jan Zamoyski-Profs. Jerzy Starnawski, Stefan Nieznanowski and Jan Okoń; authors of works on the history of the Zamoyski family-Prof. Marian Kozaczka and Dr. Adam A. Witusik; an outstanding specialist on religious issues in the Old Polish period-Father Prof. Józef Mandziuk; military historians-Profs. Karol Olejnik, Mirosław Nagielski and Jerzy Urwanowicz; and Prof. Ilona Czamańska, who specializes in the history of Polish-Romanian relations. It is particularly encouraging to welcome so many younger speakers to the conference; they provide hope that the issues connected with the history of the Zamoyski family will live on in coming generations.

The conference program is divided into two parts: plenary debates and section debates. The plenary debates are scheduled for Sept. 15 and 17, before noon. The former will feature presentations of papers analyzing Jan Zamoyski the man and evaluating his military, political and economic activity, his attitude to believers of other faiths and his merits in culture and the arts.

The latter plenary session will be dedicated to a discussion of the Zamoyski family's legacy and its significance for historical research. The history of the Zamoyski Library in Warsaw and the place of the Zamoyskis in the local traditions of the city of Zamość in the 20th century will also be presented.

On Sept. 16, the conference participants will divide into seven sections, two of which will meet in Zamość while other groups visit neighboring cities in the region.

The interdisciplinary character of the conference is one of its key features and includes topics related to history proper and literary and art history as well as more remote issues of nature and ecology.

The deliberations will be summarized on the third day as a conclusion to the conference. We also intend to publish the conference materials at the Wydawnictwo UMCS publishing house, most likely in two volumes.

The conference program, drafted in the course of many months of preparation, features a very rich spectrum of issues and questions connected with Jan Zamoyski and the family's history. Hopefully the conference will become a highlight in the Year of Zamość and complement the Sept. 17 unveiling of the Monument to Jan Zamoyski.

Prof. Ryszard Szczygieł
UMCS and WSzH-E in Zamość

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