Activity of the Trade Union of Polish Writers in inter-war period and in years of Second World War

Abstract

The Trade Union of Polish Writers (ZZLP) was one of seven literary organisations with professional profile which was active in the inter-war period. Initiated at All-district Convention of Writers (Warsaw 12-14 V 1920) de facto for the first 15 years of existence consist of five regional structures (Warsaw, Lviv, Cracow, Poznan, Vilnius) completely independent or entering into changing relationships with each other. After many failures to integrate them into one organisation, they were connected together not until the Warsaw Convention of Delegates (23-25 V 1935), when it too were the first Polish nationwide Central Board with Ferdynand Goetel as a leader. After explosion of Second World War ZZLP completely ceased it activity and fall apart (formally dissolved by Nazi occupation authorities General Government on 23 VII 1940) however tolerate by Germans its second best existance, conentrate only on maintenance matters was Warsaw socalled Literary Cuisine (27 X 1939-7 IX 1944) functioning as a matter of structure of Main Guardianship Council and controled by Goetel. Whereas in conspiration (also by Goetel who was suspected about collaboration) was created so-called Literary Group which keep up contacts with Polish emigratory government in London (as a matter of underground Education and Culture Department of the Polish Government Delegation) leaded by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz which handled with financial help for writers, was functioning since spring or autumn 1940 to January 1945. Post-war reconstruction structures of ZZLP started in liberated Lublin (where 1 IX 1944 was formed Interim Council with Julian Przyboś as a leader) was brought to a conclusion at I Convention of Unions (Cracow 30 VIII- 2 IX 1945). Selected on that Convention Central Board with Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz as a leader, definitely started new period in the history of the organisation.