Łukasz Górnicki — 500 years of history, 40 years of patronage. Inauguration of the celebration with Prof. Jerzy Bralczyk

500 years since the birth of Łukasz Górnicki. 40 years under his patronage. Two great anniversaries, one remarkable story!

In Książnica Podlaska we are starting a unique celebration that will combine five centuries of Polish literature, history and language. In 2026 it will be 40 years since the name of Łukasz Górnicki was given to our library, and already in 2027 we will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of our patron.

Łukasz Górnicki — one of the most important writers of the Polish Renaissance, the royal librarian of Zygmunt August, the author of the famous “Polish Courtesan” and one of the architects of the Polish literary language. A man who not only witnessed the heyday of Polish, but also shaped it, proving that the Polish language can be the language of great literature, philosophy and sophisticated thought.

Five centuries later, his legacy remains alive. Because although times, customs and ways of communication change, words still have extraordinary power — they allow us to understand the world, tell our own stories and build community.

And can you imagine a better start to these jubilee celebrations than meeting a man who can tell about Polish as little as anyone? The special guest of the inauguration will be Prof. Jerzy Bralczyk!

One of the most recognizable Polish linguists, a master of brilliant anecdote, a connoisseur of the secrets of Polish and a popularizer of knowledge who can turn a conversation about a language into a real intellectual adventure.

In conversation with Dorota Sokołowska, she will take us on a journey through the history of the Polish word — from the times when Łukasz Górnicki co-created the foundations of the Polish literary language, to the present day, in which the language is changing faster than ever before.

How has Polish changed over the centuries? What of the old language has survived to this day, and what have we lost irretrievably? Is the modern language becoming poorer or, on the contrary, enriched with new possibilities? What challenges does it face from social media, artificial intelligence and a reality in which the image increasingly replaces the word? And finally — would Łukasz Górnicki understand today's Poles?

We invite you to an evening full of fascinating stories, brilliant insights and reflections on the language that has shaped our culture and identity for centuries.

8 October 2026 (Thursday), 17:00

Łukasz Górnicki Podlaska Library in Białystok, ul. Maria Curie-Skłodowska 14A. ADMISSION IS FREE!

Join us and let us begin the celebration of two remarkable anniversaries together. Invite family, friends and everyone who loves literature, history and the beauty of the Polish word. We have 500 years to talk about. And this is just the beginning of the conversation!