Polonica in the library of the Slavic Institute in Bratislava

Abstract

The library of the Slavic Institute in Bratislava whose origins date back to 1827 and is known by its unofficial name the „Štur’s library”, is now kept in the University Library in Bratislava, and represents a significant collection of Czech and Slovak, but also other Slavic literatures. The collection comprises of documents from the16th century to the 1870s. It not only illustrates the ideological orientation of the young intelligentsia of the first half of the 19th century (known as the  „Štur’s generation”), mirroring their professional interests, but also bears witness to the literary life and purposeful search of relations with scientific authorities and other Slavic authors, who were nationally oriented. This study aims to be an overview-compilation, and is based on the print catalogue of this book fund, which strives to become a part of the national cultural heritage of Slovakia. It acquaints the reader with the history and founding of the library focusing on information on Polonica and their addition into the library’s collection.