Baltic Institute
Encyclopedia
The Baltic Institute in Gdańsk
is a scientific society researching the topics of the Baltic Sea
countries, maritime economic issues, and Polish-German and Polish-Scandinavian relations.
, beginning real activities in 1927, with the main goal of documenting the Polish heritage in Pomerania
after 100 years of German occupation and Germanization practices. In 1931 a branch was established in Gdynia
. During the German occupation of Poland in World War II the institute was abolished by the Nazis.
The Baltic Institute was re-established in 1945 with its headquarters first in Bydgoszcz, Sopot
and then in Gdańsk
. New branches were opened in Gdynia, Sopot, Toruń, Bydgoszcz and Szczecin
. During the big reorganization of the scientific societies in Pomerania, in 1950 the institute became a part of the Western Institute
in Poznań
, but was made independent again in 1958 with its headquarters in Gdańsk.
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
is a scientific society researching the topics of the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
countries, maritime economic issues, and Polish-German and Polish-Scandinavian relations.
History
The Baltic Institute was established in 1925 in ToruńTorun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
, beginning real activities in 1927, with the main goal of documenting the Polish heritage in Pomerania
Pomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
after 100 years of German occupation and Germanization practices. In 1931 a branch was established in Gdynia
Gdynia
Gdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
. During the German occupation of Poland in World War II the institute was abolished by the Nazis.
The Baltic Institute was re-established in 1945 with its headquarters first in Bydgoszcz, Sopot
Sopot
Sopot is a seaside town in Eastern Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, with a population of approximately 40,000....
and then in Gdańsk
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
. New branches were opened in Gdynia, Sopot, Toruń, Bydgoszcz and Szczecin
Szczecin
Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
. During the big reorganization of the scientific societies in Pomerania, in 1950 the institute became a part of the Western Institute
Western Institute
The Western Institute in Poznań is a scientific research society focusing on the Western provinces of Poland - Kresy Zachodnie , history, economy and politics of Germany, and the Polish-German relations in history and today.Established by...
in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, but was made independent again in 1958 with its headquarters in Gdańsk.
Research Areas
The Baltic Institute conducts research in the following areas:- knowledge of ScandinaviaScandinaviaScandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, and Polish-Scandinavian relations. - Polish-German relation, especially related to Gdańsk PomeraniaGdańsk PomeraniaFor the medieval duchy, see Pomeranian duchies and dukesGdańsk Pomerania or Eastern Pomerania is a geographical region in northern Poland covering eastern part of Pomeranian Voivodeship...
and the Baltic Sea area. - the newest history and economic cooperation in the Baltic Sea area after World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Main publications
- Komunikaty Instytutu Bałtyckiego (The Baltic Institute Messages)
- Gdańskie Zeszyty Humanistyczne (Gdansk Humanistic Volumes)