Toruń in the photographic legacy of Jerzy Serczyk

Abstract

This article is a discussion and presentation of photos concerning Toruń, which are stored in the personal archive of Professor Jerzy Serczyk, and kept in the Archives of Nicolaus Copernicus University. The presented fragment of the professor's photographic legacy has a great documentary and historical value. The oldest surviving photograph comes from the early 1940s, while the most recent one is from 2005. The main part of the text is preceded by a short biography of the professor. In the pictures we will find the city, its monuments, elements of the changing landscape and infrastructure. The photographer focused his attention especially on those fragments that had undergone some changes - streets, buildings, communication routes. Jerzy Serczyk photographed various events taking place in Toruń, especially those which concerned the city’s cultural life - jubilees, anniversaries of societies and persons, as well as events specific to the period of Polish People's Republic, such as marches of 1 May or decorations related to state holidays. A large number of photos refer to visits of various well-known persons in Toruń, most of whom were scholars. Some photos document the professor's social life during the period of Polish People's Republic, such as marches of 1 May or decorations related to state holidays. A large number of photos refer to visits of various well-known persons in Toruń, especially, but not only to scientists. Some photos document the professor's social life.