The editing of literary works in “Polish London” (1940–1990). Research questions and demands

Abstract

London was a political, social and cultural centre of Polish emigration where existed some publishing houses releasing books and numerous magazines addressed to Polish people living on foreign lands. So-called Polish London proved to be one of the most significant editorial centres of emigration. In that environment the editing of literary works, understood broadly as poetic, dramatic and prose writing – not only atistic but also journalistic works and memoirs – occupied an important place. The editing of literary works in “Polish London” is still a neglected area in academic and popularizing reflection. It requires extensive and many-sided philological, bibliological and historical studies. Moreover, it should be noted that the word, especially literary and written, constituted a significant value for Polish emigrants. The article proves that there exists not only the need to conduct extensive collaborative studies on the editing of literary works in “Polish London” but also to popularize their results – predominantly in the form of new editions, bibliographical studies, papers and exhibitions related to the contemporary literary book.