Public lectures by Błażej Brzostek (Warsaw University)
10.00 – The project for the reconstruction of the Saxon Palace in Warsaw
Poland's previous right-wing conservative government promoted a project to rebuild the grand building, which stood in the centre of the capital until 1944. Destroyed by the Germans, the Saxon Palace contributed to the city's distinctive landscape and its reconstruction has many supporters. At the same time, the publicly presented history of the building contains elements of mystification. Reconstruction would also mean destroying the 'permanent ruin', which is the fragment of the Palace that exists today. I would like to present the various problems associated with this project against the background of the history of the reconstruction of Warsaw monuments after World War II.
14.00 – Writing the history of women in Poland
In recent years, the subject of women's history seems to be gaining ground. Several important books have been published and there are various public debates on the subject. I would like to discuss the phenomenon of women's history in Polish scholarly thought against the background of various socio-political phenomena that trouble Polish society (and other societies in this part of Europe), including issues of inequality, access to power, abortion issues and social movements animated by women.
Venue: Main building, 2th floor, 247