80 Years After the 14Th Congress of the International Geographical

Antoni Jackows- Antoni Jackowski • ki • Elżbieta Bilska- Elżbieta Bilska- Wodecka • Izabela Wodecka • Izabela Sołjan Sołjan 2014 87 2 295 http://dx.doi.org/10.7163/ GPol.2014.18 December 2013 February 2014

Geographia Polonica Volume 87, Issue 2, pp. 295-308 http://dx.doi.org/10.7163/GPol.2014.18

INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHY AND SPATIAL ORGANIZATION POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES www.igipz.pan.pl www.geographiapolonica.pl

80 YEARS AFTER THE 14TH CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL UNION IN WARSAW, 23-31 AUGUST 1934 Antoni Jackowski • Elżbieta Bilska-Wodecka • Izabela Sołjan Jagiellonian University Institute of Geography and Spatial Management Gronostajowa 7, 30–387 Krakow: Poland e-mails: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected]

Abstract In 1934, the International Geographical Union arrived in Warsaw to attend its Congress which was held between 23rd and 31st August. A decision to accept the offer of the Polish government and meet for the first time in a Slavic country was taken at the previous Congress in Paris, in 1931. The Congress was attended by 693 participants from 44 countries, including 350 from Poland. The programme included 12 regional and thematic excursions and several cartographic exhibitions. Four volumes of Comptes Rendus du Congrès Inter- national de Géographie containing the proceedings of the Congress were published between 1935 and 1938.

Key words history of geography • international geographical congress • International Geographical Union • Warsaw • Poland

The upcoming Regional Conference of the reason to devote a moment to that historic International Geographical Union (IGU) will meeting, so momentous for the development be held in Krakow on 18-22 August 2014 of Polish geography. on exactly the 80th anniversary of the 14th Although the IGU was only established IGU Congress in Warsaw. Since that congress, in 1922, geographers had already been meet- which took place between 23rd and 31st ing at worldwide events for some time. The August 1934, Poland has not had a chance first of these was held in Antwerp in 1871 to host a worldwide geographical event of that and it was followed by nine more, including scale and prestige. This alone is sufficient Rome in 1913, before the outbreak of the

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Great War. The host countries included: Bel- IGU agreed to give the Polish language equal gium, France (twice), Italy (twice), Switzerland status with the main congress languages (twice), the United Kingdom, Germany and (French and English) for the duration of the the United States of America. Poles attended event (of which privilege none of the Polish del- some of them, but only as citizens of the pow- egates took advantage). Poland was the first ers that had partitioned their country, which Slavic country to host an IGU congress and did not exist at that time. The first congress this was also the first post-war IGU congress after the war was held quite late, in 1925 to be attended by a sizeable German delega- in Cairo, and this is when Poland was present tion, as the country was only admitted to the officially for the first time. Cairo was followed IGU shortly beforehand. This German partici- by London and Cambridge in 1928 and Paris pation was seen as a political success on the in 1931 (Lecomte de Martonne 1959; Kish Polish side. Also the Turks inaugurated their 1992; Kosiński 2008). The latter congress participation in IGU congresses by attending was particularly rewarding for Poland as the Warsaw. IGU accepted the invitation of the Polish On the Polish side the Congress was organ- Government to organise the subsequent ised by the National Geography Committee event in Warsaw, in 1934, and Eugeniusz operating under the Polish Academy of Arts Romer was formally elected Vice-President and Sciences (Polska Akademia Umiejętności) of IGU after having held this post unofficially in Krakow. An Organising Committee was since 1929. established with Eugeniusz Romer (IGU Vice- The President of the Republic of Poland President, Jan Kazimierz University of Lvov) Ignacy Mościcki and Marshal of Poland Józef as Chairman (Fig. 1), Antoni Sujkowski (Chair- Piłsudski extended their honorary patronage man of the Polish Geographical Society, War- to the Congress. For Poland, a country with- saw School of Economics) as Deputy Chair- out statehood for more than 120 years before man (Fig. 2), Stanisław Pawłowski (Poznań 1918, the organisation of an international University) as Secretary General (Fig. 3) and event of this scale was as much an opportu- two Treasurers: Jerzy Loth (Warsaw School nity as a serious effort. In recognition of this of Economics) and Stanisław Lencewicz

Figure 1. Eugeniusz Romer, Vice-President of the Figure 2. Antoni Sujkowski, Chairman of Pol- International Geographical Union, 1929-1938 ish Geographical Society, Deputy Chairman and 1945-1949, Chairman of the Organisation of the Organisation Committee, Warsaw School Committee, Jan Kazimierz University, Lvov of Economics

Source: Archives of the Jagiellonian University Source: Archives of the Jagiellonian University Institute of Geography and Spatial Managment. Institute of Geography and Spatial Managment.

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(Warsaw University). Members of the Com- of the countries present in Poland (Figs. 5, 6, mittee included: Jerzy Smoleński (Jagiellonian 7, 8, 9 and 10). University), Mieczysław Limanowski (Stefan The session was opened by the Chairman Batory University of Vilnius), August Zier of the International Geographical Union hoffer (Jan Kazimierz University of Lvov) and Isaiah Bowman (USA). After the opening Jerzy Lewakowski (Military Geographic Insti- speeches (including by Wacław Jędrzejewicz) tute) (Fig. 4). The opening ceremony and Con- the floor was given to representatives of the gress proceedings took place at the Warsaw delegations, including Belgium, Germany, Polytechnic while the closing ceremony was France, the USA, the UK, Italy and the Neth- staged in the Grand Hall of the Warsaw Sci- erlands. The German speech was made entific Society at the Staszic Palace (Zierhoffer by Ludwig Mecking who was also a repre- 1935). Staszic Palace also housed Warsaw sentative of the Reich government. Read University’s Department of Geography. today, his text contains many statements The opening ceremony was a major cel- that come across as mendacious, particu- ebration and the President of Poland, Igna- larly those about the friendly feelings of Ger- cy Mościcki, arrived accompanied by top many and its Fuehrer Hitler towards Poland. national officials, including the Minister On the other hand, the intervention of the of Treasury Władysław Marian Zawadzki head of the delegation of French geogra- (acting as deputy to Prime Minister Leon phers, Emmanuel de Martonne, was received Kozłowski), Speaker of the Parliament Kazi- very positively, especially when he said: “Pol- mierz Świtalski, Head of the Foreign Min- ish geography existed even when there was istry Józef Beck, Minister of Religious Con- no Poland”. Referring to the work of Ludomir fessions and Public Enlightenment Wacław Sawicki and Eugeniusz Romer he observed Jędrzejewicz and the government’s Com- “During 15 years, independent Poland has missioner for the City of Warsaw Władysław made enormous achievements in geogra- Jaroszewicz. The President took a prominent phy. (…) One look at Poland reveals that chair before the front rows, which were tak- it is a geographic body worthy of particular en by heads of embassies and consulates attention” (IKC 1934a: 13). Also he referred

Figure 3. Stanisław Pawłowski, Vice-President Figure 4. Jerzy Lewakowski, member of the Or- of International Geographical Union 1938-1939, ganising Committee, organiser of the international Secretary General of the Organising Committee, exhibition of contemporary cartography, later Poznań University to become the Head of the Military Institute of Geography (Wojskowy Instytut Geograficzny) Source: National Digital Archives (Narodowe Ar- Source: Archives of the Jagiellonian University chiwum Cyfrowe), NAC 1-N-439 Institute of Geography and Spatial Managment.

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Figure 5. Badge of the 14th IGU Congress Source: Archives of the Jagiellonian University Institute of Geography and Spatial Managment.

Figure 6. Medal with image of Wacław Nałkowski minted to commemorate the 14th IGU Congress. The medal was designed by Wacław Nałkowski’s daughter, the Polish sculptor Hanna Nałkowska- Figure 7. Template of the 14th IGU Congress -Bickowa (1888-1970) participant sheet Source: Lencewicz 1934. Source: IGU 1935: 21. to Eugeniusz Romer as “the architect of the At the end of the first day of the Congress edifice of Polish geography”. President Ignacy Mościcki hosted geographers Charles Close, head of the Royal Geo- from around the world at the Warsaw Royal graphical Society, referring to the stature Castle. of geography in the contemporary world Altogether 693 delegates from 44 coun- observed: “The world is understood as the tries of the world took part, including 367 Poles. fatherland of Man – here is the grand motif Other large delegations included the French of our discipline” (IKC 1934a: 13). In Warsaw (87), German (50), British (44), Italian (43), Bel- he was elected the next IGU Chairman. gian (23), US and Spanish (10 each). A small The last speaker to address the Congress Soviet delegation also arrived. Included during its opening was Eugeniusz Romer. Wel- among the international guests were several coming the guests on behalf of Polish geog- eminent geographers (Tab. 1). In the Polish del- raphers he said: “The idea of Poland, never egation the foremost group included universi- forgotten and today reborn, creating itself, ty researchers, but there were also teachers, striding towards new worlds, I put foremost popularisers of local history and geography, in my mind. This idea was what attracted you students of geography and enthusiasts. Along- here; this and that awareness of the serious- side professional researchers there were also ness with which Poland desires to be known junior members of the government and repre- to you” (IKC 1934a: 14). sentatives of the army and navy.

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Figure 8. Agenda of the 14th IGU Congress Source: IGU 1935: 132.

Figure 9. Timetable of social events, exhibitions and excursions during the 14th IGU Congress Source: IGU 1935: 133.

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Table 1. Eminent geographers participating in the Approximately 250 presentations were Congress made during the Congress and the French delegation accounted for the largest number Country Representatives of these. The participants participated in one Belgium Paul L. Michotte, Omer Tulippe of six sections: cartography, physical geogra- France Lucien Aufrère, Henri Baulig, Abel phy, human geography, prehistoric geogra- Briquet, André Cholley, Pierre Def- phy, history of geography and historical geog- fontaines, Albert Demangeon. Pierre raphy, landscape geography and teaching George, Théodore Lefebvre, Emmanuel of geography (Tab. 2). de Martonne, Maurice Pardé, Maximi- lien Sorre Table 2. Sections of the 14th IGU Congress Germany Julius Büdel, Max Eckert, Norbert in Warsaw Krebs, Ludwig Mecking, Paul Wold- No. Section Chairperson Host stedt1 1. Cartography I.G. Stresse Col. Tadeusz Hungary Pál Teleki (USA), Zieleniewski Harold S.L. (land surveyor, Italy Roberto Almagià, Giotto Dainelli, Winterbotham cartographer, Michele Gortani, Giuseppe Nangeroni (UK) Commander of Military Japan Tubin Odauti Institute of Geography) Netherlands Willem E. Boerman 2. Physical Henri Baulig Prof. Stanisław Soviet Union Nikołaj N. Barański, Julij M. Shokalsky geography (France), Lencewicz Julij M. (geographer, Sweden Alfred Sőderlund, Helge Stalberg Shokalsky Warsaw Univer- (Soviet Union) sity) Switzerland Charles Biermann, Charles Schneider 3. Human Charles Bungay Prof. August UK Charles Close, Charles Bungay geography Fawcett (UK) Zierhoffer Fawcett, Harold St. John Loyd Winter- (geographer, botham Jan Kazimierz University, Lvov) USA Isaiah Bowman, Erwin Raisz 4. Prehistoric Roberto Prof. Władysław Yugoslavia Borivoje Z. Milojević, Pavle Vujević and histori- Almagià (Italy) Semkowicz (his- cal geogra- torian, Jagiellon- 1 Professor Paul Woldstedt, the eminent German ge- phy, history ian University) ologist and geomorphologist, was friends with the Head of geography of the Institute of Geography of the Jagiellonian Univer- 5. Landscape Ludwig Prof. Jerzy sity, Professor Jerzy Smoleński. The two spent much time geography Mecking Smoleński together during the Congress. Five years later, during the (Germany) (geographer, Second World War, Professor Smoleński was murdered Jagiellonian at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the news University) Professor Woldstedt rallied to help his widow and helped her to obtain special papers from the Gestapo to travel 6. Didactics Paul L. Konstanty to Berlin. She arrived on 6 January 1940 with her son and method- Michotte Bzowski Stanisław, a priest, later to become bishop. In Berlin, ology of geo- (Belgium) (geographer, As- Paul Woldstedt took care of them and used his connec- graphical sociation of Pol- tions to facilitate their visit to Sachsenhausen Camp education ish Geography where they could view the body of Professor Smoleński. Teachers) This was a truly unique event and certainly one of very few cases when a German dared to intervene with the The cartographers mainly discussed ways Gestapo for the sake of a Pole. The remains of Jerzy of representing ground relief on maps and Smoleński were cremated and the German scholar saw to it that the urn sent to Mrs Smoleńska really contained via aerial remote sensing. One of the popular her husband’s ashes. After the war, Professor Paul Wold- topics was the methodology of making car- stedt maintained contacts with a student of Professor tograms and composite maps. This section Jerzy Smoleński – Mieczysław Klimaszewski. involved 40 presentations.

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Figure 10. Opening ceremony of the 14th IGU Congress in the Hall of Warsaw Polytechnic with the participation of the President of Poland Ignacy Mościcki (in armchair) Source: IGU 1935 : 101.

In the physical geography section there (24 August) involved lectures by eminent were 79 presentations mostly devoted scholars, including geographers, geologists, to Quaternary research. Other topics includ- historians and ethnologists. The most impres- ed fossilized erosion surfaces and river and sive were contributions by Eugeniusz Romer marine terraces. on the fundamental issues of human geogra- The human geography section (82 pres- phy in Poland and by Mieczysław Limanowski entations) focused on industry, urban geog- on the geographical significance of the five raphy (especially physiognomy), overpopula- largest Polish cities, including Poznań, Kra- tion and rural settlement. Polish geographers kow, Lvov, Vilnius and Warsaw (Lencewicz won some popularity in the last of the top- 1934/1935). There was also a series of lec- ics. Stanisław Pawłowski and Józef Czekalski tures delivered by the most eminent geogra- were applauded for their settlement maps phers from various countries. of Poland (1:500,000) depicting the concen- In between sessions, the participants had tration and dispersion of villages around the an opportunity to visit various schools in country. Detailed case studies in this area Warsaw, including elementary and second- were presented by Julian Czyżewski (south- ary schools, a school of commerce and the -eastern Poland), Stanisław Leszczycki and National Institute of Hygiene. The visitors Stanisława Zajchowska (Western Carpathi- were particularly impressed by the equip- an Mts.), Maria Kiełczewska (Pomerania), ment and teaching methods in the geogra- Bogdan Zaborski (Vilnius and surroundings), phy laboratory at the Ministry of Religious Tadeusz Senik (Roztocze). Confessions and Public Enlightenment locat- The Warsaw Congress added a session ed at the Pedagogical Museum and head- to the regular congress agenda covering the ed by Gustaw Wuttke, Michał Janiszew- host country’s geography. The Polish Day ski and Jadwiga Peretiatkowicz. The visitors

Geographia Polonica 2014, 87, 2, pp. 295-308 302 Antoni Jackowski • Elżbieta Bilska-Wodecka • Izabela Sołjan committed themselves to spreading informa- extended to national governments to intro- tion about the laboratory in their own coun- duce the topic of geography in schools of all tries (Polaczkówna 1935). types and levels due to its outstanding peda- Social occasions were very popular. After gogical value (IKC 1934b: 5). the reception at the Royal Castle there were A number of cartographic exhibitions were similar events at the Council of Ministers, arranged to accompany the Congress. They the Town Hall (hosted by the Mayor Stefan included an International Exhibition of Con- Starzyński and his wife) and at the commer- temporary Cartography at Warsaw Polytech- cial association Resursa Obywatelska1 organ- nic curated by Jerzy Lewakowski (Military ised at the end of the Congress and linked Institute of Geography), an exhibition of the with a grand ball at the Bristol Hotel. A con- cartographic collection of the National Library cert was also organised with eminent musi- with a trio of curators: Karol Buczek, Bolesław cians playing at the Warsaw conservatory. Olszewicz and Jan Stebnowski, an exhibi- The Polish Geographic Society minted tion about the process of map production a special commemorative medal bearing an with Tadeusz Krzanowski (Military Institute image of the geographer Wacław Nałkowski of Geography), an exhibition of contemporary and a Latin inscription. Silver versions of the Polish cartography organised by Stanisław medal were handed to Isaiah Bowman, Pietkiewicz (Warsaw University) and an inter- Emmanuel de Martonne, Eugeniusz Romer national map exhibition. An art exhibition and Stanisław Pawłowski, while all other par- “Poland and its People” was opened at the ticipants received bronze versions. Zachęta Art Gallery. Polish and French cata- During the closing ceremony, Eugeniusz logues were also published on all of these exhi- Romer summarised the accomplishments bitions. The catalogue of the exhibition of the of the Congress. Its proceedings were then published in four volumes between 1935 and 1938 under the collective title Comptes Rendus du Congrès International de Géogra- phie. Varsovie 1934 (Lencewicz 1934/1935) (Fig. 11). During one of the two IGU sessions, Euge- niusz Romer was again elected Vice-President. Other Polish geographers elected to various committees included Stanisław Pawłowski, Józef Czekalski, Stanisław Lencewicz, Julian Czyżewski and Henryk Arctowski. The delegates also voted on several motions that were tabled. Two of the decisions are worth mentioning here: 1. The Joachim Lelewel Society was established with the aim of con- ducting research into the history of geography (named after a great Polish historian and social thinker), and 2. An appeal was

1 Resursa Obywatelska in Warsaw, a building erected in 1860-1861 at Krakowskie Przedmieście Street 64. Between 1861 and 1939 this was the HQ of Warszaw- ska Resursa Kupiecka, or Warsaw Association of Com- merce. It burned down during the Nazi German invasion Figure 11. Title page of the 1st volume Comptes of Poland in September 1939 and was rebuilt during Rendus du Congrès International de Géographie, 1948-1950. Varsovie 1934 (IGU 1935)

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National Library collection was prepared The exhibition of the National Library’s by Karol Buczek and Bolesław Olszewicz. cartographic collection was divided into four The International Exhibition of Contempo- main sections: rary Cartography, the first of its kind in the • general maps of Poland prior to the parti- world, was organised on a Polish initiative and tions (until 1795); President Ignacy Mościcki was present during • general maps of historical Poland the opening ceremony (Fig. 12). Organisations (1795–1918); invited included official national (military) car- • detailed maps of Poland prior to the parti- tographic, topographic and geographic insti- tions; and tutions. Altogether 35 countries contributed • general maps of historical Poland up until more than 2500 exhibits. The Polish section 1918. Many of the maps were manuscript stood out for its quality. The exhibition had copies. three objectives: A separate stand concentrated on works • to show various types of topographical by Joachim Lelewel (Stebnowski 1934/1935). maps used in different countries, The Polish cartography exhibition includ- • to present the main types of physical and ed items from the period 1918–1934. Four cultural landscape, and hundred map sheets on display came from • to demonstrate the development of the the Polish Geological Institute, Carpathian main types of topographical maps. Geological and Oil Institute, Polish Academy After the closing of the exhibitions the of Arts and Sciences, Polish Meteorological exhibits were donated to the Polish National Institute, Hydrographic Service, Main Statis- Library and Military Institute of Geography tical Office, various universities, Eugeniusz (Lewakowski 1934, Pietkiewicz 1934/1935). Romer’s Cartographical Institute, Pomoc a b

Figure 12. (a) Opening of the International Ex- c hibition of Contemporary Cartography, Warsaw Polytechnic. Eugeniusz Romer is speaking and Ignacy Mościcki, President of Poland, is seated in an armchair. (b) Second from the right is the Minister of the Treasury Władysław Marian Za- wadzki, deputy to the Prime Minister (holding white gloves), (c) International Exhibition of Con- temporary Cartography, the US exhibit a. Source: National Digital Archives (Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe), NAC 1-M-521-4 b. Source: IGU 1935: 75. c. Source: IGU 1935: 75.

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Szkolna publishing house, and the Polish Twelve regional and thematic excursions Teachers’ Union. Additionally, Bogdan Zabor- were organised (Tab. 3, Fig. 13) with 244 par ski also presented his cartographic products. ticipants. Three of these, all longer than one The maps main themes were geological, geo- day, took place before the Congress with morphological, meteorological, hydrologi- 62 participants (Fig. 14). During the Congress cal, maritime, economic, and demographic, there were three single day trips with 106 par- as well as soils, transport and tourism. More ticipants altogether. Four more trips were than one hundred maps were presented organised after the Congress and these had 76 by the Książnica-Atlas publishing house, the participants (Fig. 15). All the trips were accom- dominant player in the school section (Pietkie- panied by quality guidebooks which are still wicz 1934/1935). highly regarded by geographers today (Fig. 16).

Figure 13. Routes of excursions accompanying the 14th IGU Congress Source: IGU 1935: 81.

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Table 3. Excursions

Duration Region Leader Participants (days) Before Polesie and Białowieża 7 Stanisław Lencewicz, 15 the Congress Stanisław Pawłowski Podole and Eastern 9 Julian Czyżewski, 14 Carpathian Mts. August Zierhoffer Krakow, Dunajec Valley, 8 Jerzy Smoleński 33 Tatras

During the Vistula Valley near Płock 1 Stanisław Lencewicz 39 Congress Vistula Valley near Warsaw 1 Jan Lewiński 17 Puławy and Kazimierz 1 Bogdan Zaborski 25 Tour of Warsaw 1 Regina Danysz-Fleszarowa 25

After Northeastern Poland, Neman 5 Mieczysław Limanowski 13 the Congress and Daugava river basins Pomerania and the Baltic 7 Stanisław Pawłowski 26 coast Łysogóry Mts. – Harz-age 5 Stanisław Lencewicz 17 core and Mesozoic covers Polish Upper Silesia 4 Wiktor Ormicki 10 Vistula valley, industrial towns 6 Jerzy Loth 10 and spas

Source: based on Lencewicz 1934/1935.

A number of special events and publi- Society of Lvov to celebrate his 40 years of sci- cations accompanied the Congress. They entific creativity). This nearly 700 page long included a two-volume book Ruch regiona- collection was edited by Henryk Arctowski and listyczny w Europie2 (The Regionalist move- included contributions by Polish and foreign ment in Europe), which included a chapter geographers, most of whom also took part on Geographic regionalism and its develop- in the Congress. ment in Poland by Stanisław Pawłowski and The 14th IUG Congress was rated very Economic regionalism in Poland by Wiktor highly by the Union’s governing bodies and Ormicki. A special session was devoted to the participants alike. This was reflected in the 40th anniversary of Eugeniusz Romer’s career numerous reports of the event, scholarly and in geography and he was presented with a spe- other, in the world’s periodicals. By far the cially dedicated book Zbiór prac poświęcony largest body of such reports were published przez Towarzystwo Geograficzne we Lwowie in Germany, although some were clearly Eugeniuszowi Romerowi w 40-lecie jego twór- biased. For example, accounts of excursions czości naukowej3 (A collection of papers devot- to areas formerly under the Prussian parti- ed to Eugeniusz Romer by the Geographical tion of Poland questioned the legitimacy of Poland’s rule. The largest number of these

2 Patkowski A. (ed.), 1934. Ruch regionalistyczny reports referred to the excursion to Upper w Europie. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Sekcji Regjonali- Silesia and to the related guidebook writ- styczno-Krajoznawczej Zwiazku Nauczycielstwa Polskiego. ten by Jerzy Smoleński and Wiktor Ormicki. 3 Uhorczak F., 1934. Zbiór prac poświęcony przez Reports from the Congress were published Towarzystwo Geograficzne we Lwowie Eugeniuszowi Romerowi w 40-lecie jego twórczości naukowej. Lvov: in France, Italy, the UK, Sweden, Lithuania, Towarzystwo Geograficzne. the USA, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia.

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Figure 14. Participants on the excursion to Krakow in the lecture hall of the Jagiellonian University. First from the right: Jerzy Smoleński Source: National Digital Archives (Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe), NAC 1-M-522-1.

The Congress was praised first of all for Krakow and the Tatras, and to the Baltic coast the quality of its content and its great contri- impressed the participants the most. bution to the development of science in gen- Many of the post-Congress reports were eral and to geography in particular. The good devoted to the cartographic exhibitions. They standard of organisation of the event was highlighted the importance of the Polish initia- often quoted along with the quality of the tive to organise a grand worldwide cartography presentations, which often led to several-hour long discussions afterwards. The excursions also garnered plaudits that noted the good selection of itineraries and the excellent pre- paredness of the leaders. The trips to Polesie,

Figure 15. Participants on the excursion to south- -eastern Poland at an excavation site at the Old Castle in Grodno. Second from the right (holding folded coat) Mieczysław Limanowski Figure 16. Title page of the guidebook for the Source: National Digital Archives (Narodowe Ar- excursion to Upper Silesia by Jerzy Smoleński and chiwum Cyfrowe), NAC 1-M-523-1. Wiktor Ormicki

Geographia Polonica 2014, 87, 2, pp. 295-308 80 years after the 14th Congress of the International Geographical Union in Warsaw… 307 event in Warsaw. Indeed, this was the first champions of universal values and the broth- of its kind and the authors of the accounts sug- erhood of peoples among geographers. Major gested that future congresses continue with fields within geography, such as cartography, this idea (Czekalski 1934/1935; Kish 1979). physical geography and human geography, The Congress provided an excellent oppor- have been fulfilling the important role of unit- tunity for the promotion of Poland. Each par- ing people. The edifice of geographical knowl- ticipant received numerous publications on edge, erected by the joint effort of the world’s Poland in foreign languages, as well as a full nations, is serving everyone. And again: Geog- set of geographical studies published in Poland raphy has great merit in the service of and for during the five years leading up to the event. humanity. Geography is also serving nations Polish geographers proved that in many are- and states. (…) Geography offers a picture as they had achieved at least as much as their of the real possibilities for the development international colleagues. Human geography of countries and the kind of conditions that was the leading such field (especially in terms make this development possible.” of rural settlement), along with geomorphol- “Knowledge about this piece of land where ogy. The world cartography exhibition proved fate has placed societies is an indispensible that Polish achievements in this area, and espe- step in the wise adaptation of humanity cially the maps published by Military Institute to natural conditions. Knowledge of the geog- of Geography, were world class and the tech- raphy of other countries on earth, on the nology used to produce them was no different other hand, is the only serious foundation for to that used internationally. The participants the normalisation of interpersonal and inter- had also an opportunity to visit some of the national relations. Hence geography serves leading Polish geography centres (Warsaw, states and nations as few other sciences do.” Krakow, Poznań and Vilnius). (Pawłowski 1934). On the occasion of the Congress, Stani- These words provide the best punch line sław Pawłowski wrote for the Gazeta Polska for considering the importance of geography daily an article that provided a commentary and geographical congresses in the process on the contents of the proceedings. The arti- of stabilising interpersonal and international cle begins: “Geography has an enormous sig- relations. Despite the 80 years that have nificance both internationally and in relation passed since writing these words, they have to individual states. There is only one Earth lost none of their topicality. and there can only be one earth science. For more than two thousand years, this science Editors note: was geography.” He continues: “Geography Unless otherwise stated, the sources of tables and is a science of communication and accord figures are the author(s), on the basis of their between nations. More than once, there were own research.

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