Powszechna Wystawa Krajowa, zorganizowana w Poznaniu w 1929 r. była największym wydarzeniem wystawienniczym w historii II Rzeczypospolitej. Mając za cel pokazanie dorobku niepodległej Polski, była przeglądem jej osiągnięć w zakresie przemysłu, polityki, kultury, rolnictwa. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie najważniejszych materiałów – katalogów, książek, fotografii, czasopism, które zostały wydane z okazji Wystawy, lub które o niej wspominają. Analiza wybranych publikacji pozwala zapoznać się szczegółowo z treściami prezentowanymi na poszczególnych ekspozycjach. Wiele publikacji miało również odgrywać rolę edukacyjną. Część z nich była opracowaniami historycznymi, a część stanowi dziś świadectwo o ówczesnej sytuacji społeczno-polityczno-kulturalnej w Polsce, dzięki czemu mogą być uznane jako źródła do badań historycznych z dzisiejszej perspektywy.

Materials regarding the Polish General Exhibition in 1929 in the collection of the Greater Poland Digital Library

The Polish General Exhibition organized in Poznań in 1929 was the biggest exhibition in the history of the Second Polish Republic. Its goal was to showcase the achievements of independent Poland, and present a review of its accomplishments in the areas of industry, politics, culture, and agriculture. The article aims at presenting the most important materials: catalogs, books, photographs, and magazines, which were published to celebrate the Exhibition or contain references to it. The analysis of selected publications allows one to gain detailed insights into the content of particular displays. Many publications were also meant to play an educational role. Some of them were historical studies, and some are now the testimony of the social, political, and cultural situation in Poland back then, which means they can be treated as sources for historical research from the contemporary point of view.

Keywords: Polish General Exhibition, Greater Poland Digital Library, Poznań, digitalization, catalogs

The Polish General Exhibition organized in Poznań in 1929 was the biggest exhibition in the history of the Second Polish Republic. Its goal was to showcase the achievements of independent Poland, and present a review of its accomplishments in the areas of industry, politics, culture, and agriculture. The article aims at presenting the most important materials: catalogs, books, photographs, and magazines, which were published to celebrate the Exhibition or contain references to it. The analysis of selected publications allows one to gain detailed insights into the content of particular displays. Many publications were also meant to play an educational role. Some of them were historical studies, and some are now the testimony of the social, political, and cultural situation in Poland back then, which means they can be treated as sources for historical research from the contemporary point of view.