Tygodnik Polski (Harbin 1922–1942) as a Source for the History of Polish Emigration in China

Harbin, a city located in Manchuria in the Far East, became an important centre of Polish emigration in the first half of the 20th century. It was inhabited by a few thousand Polish expatriates, who could attend Polish churches and schools and had Polish social, economic and cultural organisations here. They also published books and periodicals. The longest existing periodical was Tygodnik Polski, a weekly founded by priest Władysław Ostrowski. In spite of financial difficulties and a small number of Poles in Manchuria, Tygodnik survived for 20 years (1922–1942), becoming an important source documenting the life of the Polish community in that area. Among Polish periodicals issued in Asia, it was published for the longest time and was the only Polish periodical in Asia for some time. The aim of the presented paper is to supplement the existing state of research with new information regarding the publication, edition, character and mission of the weekly. Among raised problems, the issues of upbringing and education were highlighted. The research was based on an analysis of annual volumes of Tygodnik Polski.

«TYGODNIK POLSKI» (ХАРБИН 1922–1942) – ИСТОЧНИК ИСТОРИИ ПОЛЬСКОЙ ЭМИГРАЦИИ В КИТАЕ

Ключевые слова: Китай, Харбин, поляки, эмиграция, польская пресса

Харбин – город расположенный в Манчжурии на Дальнем Востоке, стал в первой половине XX века важным центром польской эмиграции. В нем проживало огромное количество выходцев из Польши, насчитывающее несколько тысяч человек, у которых были польские костелы, школы, общественные,  ультурные и экономические организации. Польская диаспора также издавала книги и журналы. Дольше всех просуществовало издание «Tygodnik Polski» (Польский еженедельник), основанное священником Владиславом Островским. Несмотря на финансовые трудности и небольшое количество поляков в Манчжурии журнал «Tygodnik Polski» просуществовал на протяжении 20 лет (1922–1942), становясь важным источником, документирующим жизнь польской общественности на этой территории. Этот периодик дольше всех других польских журналов существовал на рынке Азии, а некоторое время был даже единственным изданием такого рода. Целью представленной статьи было дополнение существующих до сих пор исследований на эту тему новой информацией, связанной с изданием, редактированием, характером и миссией журнала. Среди затронутых проблем было обращено внимание на вопросы воспитания и образования. Основой для произведенных исследований был анализ ежегодников журнала «Tygodnik Polski».

Harbin, a city located in Manchuria in the Far East, became an important centre of Polish emigration in the first half of the 20th century. It was inhabited by a few thousand Polish expatriates, who could attend Polish churches and schools and had Polish social, economic and cultural organisations here. They also published books and periodicals. The longest existing periodical was Tygodnik Polski, a weekly founded by priest Władysław Ostrowski. In spite of financial difficulties and a small number of Poles in Manchuria, Tygodnik survived for 20 years (1922–1942), becoming an important source documenting the life of the Polish community in that area. Among Polish periodicals issued in Asia, it was published for the longest time and was the only Polish periodical in Asia for some time. The aim of the presented paper is to supplement the existing state of research with new information regarding the publication, edition, character and mission of the weekly. Among raised problems, the issues of upbringing and education were highlighted. The research was based on an analysis of annual volumes of Tygodnik Polski.