Background

The idea of collecting documents of political life emerged at the Institute of Political Science in 1981, in connection with political events in Poland. The creation of the independent trade union Solidarność, a political movement in opposition to the authorities, involving some 10 million citizens, changed the character of the Polish political scene. The abundance and variety of ephemeral materials, newspapers and documents appearing at the time gave rise to a desire among Wrocław political scientists to collect and preserve them for future research. The Institute’s archival collection grew thanks to the activity and commitment of many people, also by accepting private collections in the form of donations.

The political and systemic changes that took place after 1989 changed the character of political life in Poland again. The abolition of censorship, free elections, freedom of association in parties and associations, quickly revealed a diversity of political orientations, which was also reflected in the documentation produced.

Collections

The collection, which has been gathered for more than 30 years by the Institute of Political Science, is unique and consists of two main parts: documentation from the 1980s and documentation produced by parties and associations from 1989 to the present.

Access to archives

Any interested person can use the Institute’s collected documentation on site from Monday to Friday between: 9.00-15.00 by appointment.

Contact person: mgr Olga Grajek
Sekcja Projektów Badawczych i Dydaktycznych
Instytut Politologii
ul. Koszarowa 3
51-149 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 375 50 93
olga.grajek@uwr.edu.pl