The Dr. Witold Bełza Provincial and Municipal Public Library in Bydgoszcz, in celebration of Independence Day, cordially invites you to a lecture titled “Leon Barciszewski (1883–1939). Faithful to the City Until the End,” to be presented by Jarosław Jakubowski, an employee of the Department of National Education at the Bydgoszcz Branch of the Institute of National Remembrance.

Leon Barciszewski was a social activist, diplomat, and local government official who devoted his entire life to public service. He came from Greater Poland, and as a young man he moved to Berlin, where he worked as a locksmith, educated himself, and was actively involved in the Polish community. After Poland regained its independence, he began his diplomatic service. As consul in Essen, he supported Poles in the Ruhr region. In 1924, he returned to Poland and became mayor of Gniezno, and in 1932, mayor of Bydgoszcz. In both cities, he initiated municipal projects, developed infrastructure, supported residents affected by unemployment, and promoted economic and cultural development. He was nonpartisan and sought to maintain a distance from political disputes. After the outbreak of the war, he left Bydgoszcz, but returned with his family in October 1939. He was arrested by the Gestapo and executed by firing squad in Jachcice on November 11. His son Janusz was also murdered shortly thereafter. The remains of both men were never found. Barciszewski is remembered by the people of Bydgoszcz as a hardworking mayor who was devoted to the city.

The lecture will also cover Leon Barciszewski’s predecessors as mayor of Bydgoszcz: Jan Maciaszek (1920–1921), Wincenty Łukowski (1921–1922), Bernard Śliwiński (1922–1930), and Tadeusz Chmielarski (1930–1932).

When: November 16, 2026 (Monday) at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Main Library, Stary Rynek 24

Free admission

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“Leon Barciszewski (1883–1939). Faithful to the City Until the End”

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