w 1 931: Congress of Polish-Yugoslavian Friendship
“Poznań, often deservedly referred to as the economic capital of Poland, can claim the right to the honour of receiving Yugoslavian guests within its walls because of more than just economic reasons. That right is given above all because of the sentiments for Yugoslavia, particularly visible among its residents,” wrote Dziennik Poznański on the day of the inauguration of the first Congress of Polish-Yugoslavian Friendship in April 1931. The event was hosted in numerous Polish cities, with its economic part taking place in Poznań. The visitors – representatives of academia, industry, trade, media, art and literature – came from Belgrade, Sarajevo, Skopje and Novi Sad. The economic debates focused on tourism, communications and trade prospects in the iron, sugar and wine industries. They toured Poznań and local industrial plants. “We want to show our Yugoslavian brothers everything that is the best about Poland… to teach them about our achievements… to open up our Slavic heart in the spirit of Old Polish hospitality,” these were the goals of the Congress, outlined in Dziennik Poznański by Fr. Władysław Kneblewski, President of the Polish-Yugoslavian League, and they were carried out fully. Participants of the Congress of Polish-Yugoslavian Friendship in Poznań, April 1931. In the first row, second from the right, Voivode of Poznań, Roger Raczyński, third – chargé d’affaires of Yugoslavia in Poland, Ivo de Giulli, fourth – Minister of Industry and Trade, Aleksander Prystor. Third left – President of the Polish-Yugoslavian League, Fr. Władysław Kneblewski. Source: National Digital Archives
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