2. Spaces of Books

At the Faculty of Polish Studies, we write books, we read them, we translate, interpret, adapt, typeset, edit, invent, critically discuss, promote and catalogue them, we engage in  polemics with books, we recommend books to one another, we surround ourselves with them and finally, we let them engross us utterly.

 

We engage  with various spheres of activity in and through language. Yet in our approaching culture we regard words as only one of its media – along with image, sonic sphere or spectacle. We all share the conviction that the key to understanding people and the world is what people have to say to (and about) one another. In the humanities, it is the book that becomes the symbol of such a dialogue – one that transcends the limitations of time and place.

Thus, we invite you on a journey through spaces of books. In describing our activity, we have chosen to focus on the undertakings and actions that can illustrate the many dimensions a book can have – not only as a physical object but also as a model for perceiving the world and the foundation of our culture.

We furthermore invite you to literally step into the world of letters. On the table, you will find the word “book” written in the alphabets in use for the languages we study at the Faculty of Polish Studies. The letters can be freely re-assembled, allowing you to experiment with different combinations. The last of the exhibition boards, by contrast, is a blank page. We encourage you to write down the titles of books that have made a particular impression on you and which you would recommend to others.

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr Wojciech Figiel from the Faculty of Applied Linguistics, the team at the Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Faculty libraries: the W. Borowy Library, the J. Baudouin de Courtenay Library, the Library of the Institute of Classical Studies and the Library of the Institute of Western and Southern Slavic Studies. We also thank our kind colleagues, inspiring students, and all those who have contributed to the making of the exhibition.