Originally published in 1934, "Elements of Polish culture as seen by a resident foreigner" is a remarkable account of interwar Poland, written by Paul Super – an American social reformer who spent fifteen years living and working in the country. He closely observed Polish society, culture, education, religious life, and the everyday experiences of a young nation reborn after more than a century of foreign partition. His narrative is personal yet deeply empathetic, portraying Poland as a dynamic and diverse country with a strong cultural and geopolitical orientation toward the West.
Super explores Polish art, architecture, literature, customs, and – above all – the traits of national character: idealism, hospitality, individualism, a deep sense of freedom, and strong religious feeling. It is a portrait of a nation that had only recently regained its independence and was actively shaping its modern identity.
But just a few years after the book’s publication, everything changed. World War II brought the destruction of Poland’s elites, brutal occupation, and later, Soviet domination. Many of the places described by the author fell outside Poland’s postwar borders, and the country’s social and cultural life was profoundly transformed.
This book is not only a historical document, but also a moving testimony to the spirit of a people who, despite the tragedies of history, preserved what was most essential: their culture, identity, religion, and belief in the future. "Elements of Polish culture…" should be read not only as a description of the past, but as a record of national spirit – of what endured in Polish life despite catastrophe. It offers readers a deeper understanding of Polish national traits – such as idealism, independence, and a strong sense of identity – and reveals the lasting values that survived wars, shifting borders, and authoritarian regimes.
Publisher’s Foreword 7
Chapter 1. Cultural Areas 9
Chapter 2. Orientation 12
Religious and political factors 13
Chapter 3. Landscape and Culture 17
Chapter 4. Artistic Expression 20
Architecture 21
Painting, wood-carving, pottery 22
Costume, literature, music 24
Chapter 5. Spiritual Quality 27
Democracy 27
Toleration 29
Idealism 30
Religion 34
Individualism 36
Chapter 6. Personal Culture 38
Intellectuality 38
Grace of life 40
Self-criticism 42
Women and culture 46
Chapter 7. Social Classes 49
The new middle class 50
Chapter 8. Political Events and Culture 52
After Vienna, 1815 53
Polish Messianism 55
Chapter 9. Cultural Institutions 57
The schools 57
Books and libraries 58
Scientific societies 59
Physical culture 60
Respect for learning 61
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