The Baltic Institute (Polish: Instytut Bałtycki) in Gdańsk is a scientific society researching the topics of the Baltic Sea countries, maritime economic issues, and Polish-German and Polish-Scandinavian relations.

History

The Baltic Institute was established in 1925 in Toruń, beginning real activities in 1927,^[1] with the main goal of documenting the Polish heritage in Pomerania after 100 years of German occupation and Germanization practices. In 1931 a branch was established in Gdynia. During the German occupation of Poland in World War II the institute was abolished by the Nazis.

The Baltic Institute was re-established in 1945 with its headquarters first in Bydgoszcz, Sopot and then in Gdańsk.^[1] New branches were opened in Gdynia, Sopot, Toruń, Bydgoszcz and Szczecin. During the big reorganization of the scientific societies in Pomerania, in 1950 the institute became a part of the Western Institute in Poznań, but was made independent again in 1958 with its headquarters in Gdańsk.

Research areas

The Baltic Institute conducts research in the following areas:

• knowledge of Scandinavia, and Polish-Scandinavian relations.
• Polish-German relation, especially related to Gdańsk Pomerania and the Baltic Sea area.
• the newest history and economic cooperation in the Baltic Sea area after World War II.

Main publications

• Komunikaty Instytutu Bałtyckiego (The Baltic Institute Messages)
• Gdańskie Zeszyty Humanistyczne (Gdansk Humanistic Volumes)

References