THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRES OF THE POLISH “GREAT EMIGRATION” DURING THE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES: KEY CENTRES, DIRECTIONS AND TRENDS

Abstract

The article examines the activities of European centers of Polish emigration in the 19th – early 20th centuries, which emerged as a result of the defeat of national liberation movements and the repressive policies of the Russian Empire. The study focuses on the phenomenon of the so-called “Great Emigration,” which extended not only across Europe but also to America, Australia, and other regions, though particular attention is devoted to the European cultural centers that became hubs of intercultural dialogue and political activism. The paper traces the role of Polish émigré organizations in preserving national identity, spreading ideas of Pan-Slavism and democratic principles, and shaping new models of political interaction within the context of Western European social processes. Special emphasis is placed on the cultural and intellectual contributions of Polish migrants, who significantly influenced the formation of stereotypes about Poland and the Poles in Western European societies, especially in Britain, France, and Switzerland. The article highlights the importance of publishing activities, travel literature, and translation projects initiated by émigrés, which not only promoted Polish cultural heritage abroad but also facilitated mutual enrichment with other European nations. Of particular interest is the analysis of women’s activism in émigré communities, which in the late 19th century in the United States acquired features of active public and political engagement, linking national liberation ideals with the broader emancipation movement. The conclusions underline that the émigré movement was as crucial for the restoration of Polish statehood as the national liberation struggle within the Polish territories. Figures of the “Great Emigration” later became leaders of the Second Polish Republic, while the cultural and political practices they shaped paved the way for Poland’s integration into the European space. The author stresses the necessity of further research, particularly the study of Ukrainian-Polish interactions within diaspora communities in the United States and the reception of Polish émigré periodicals. This article opens new perspectives for exploring transnational cultural processes, the role of migration in shaping national memory, and the dissemination of ideas of freedom in the European context.