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Ewa Baniowska-Kopacz
Silesia—Stranger/Not Stranger. Creating
Regional Identity in the Magazine
Slask. Miesiecznik Iustrowany
The paper presents results of analysis of the illustrative material published in the
magazine Slgsk. Miesigcznik Ilustrowany (‘Silesia. Monthly Illustrated’, further ab¬
breviated to SMI). The first number of SMI! was issued in March 1946 and the last
probably in October 1948.’ It was conceived as a monthly periodical. In reality it
appeared at irregular intervals and often combined two or even three numbers in
one. Its illustrative side was of very average quality, with black-and-white photos,
according to the standards of the early post-war years. In fact, although the inten¬
tion was that the magazine would be illustrated, it featured only a small number
of pictures. In most cases the photos published in the magazine lack information
on their authors and the date. Only very few were signed with the name Jerzy
Mankowski, at that time in possession of a large post-German collection of nega¬
tives.’ It is possible that certain pictures had been taken before WWII by German
photographers who after the war left behind their ateliers and their work. In my
research I examined all the available numbers."
The magazine focused mainly on the areas of Silesia that became part of Poland
after WWHI, described by the term Regained Territories. The term Regained
Territories appeared after 1945, referring to western and northern parts of Poland
incorporated into the state by the decision of the Soviet Union, US, and Great
Britain. In historical times they had either been parts of Poland, dependant on
Poland, or were in the sphere of Polish influence (for example Szczecin), although
they did not belong to the Second Polish Republic (1918-1939).
! The publisher of SMI was Slaski Zespöt Wydawniczy. The Chief Editor was Stefan Kuczyriski, and the
Editorial Board included Edward Kozikowski, Kazimierz Majewski, and Ludwik Skurzak, all based in
the city of Jelenia Göra. The names were listed in the first number. Typeset and print was done in Jelenia
Géra and Wroclaw.
? I cannot state with full certainty whether it was really the last issue of the magazine, as it does not
contain any information suggesting an intended discontinuation. It is evident that financial problems
accompanied the publication from the very beginning. It was reflected be its irregular appearance, frequent
double volumes (numbers) and a sudden discontinuity of the title, without notice.
> Jerzy Mankowski is mentioned in the works of Pawel Banas. According to Banas, Marikowski came to
the Regained Territories from Lvov in 1945 and settled in the town of Ktodzko. There he came into pos¬
session of a post-German photo atelier with thousands of negatives. He used this collection for publishing
after the war the first postcards with views of Lower Silesia (cf. Augustyn 2009; Banas 2009).
* "The magazine is available in the PAU/PAN library in Kraków (8205 III).