The Carpathian Society

The Carpathian Society is made up of people for whom the Carpathian Mountains are the subject of a wide range of study, research, artistic, cultural, and social activities.

The Carpathians are the core of Central Europe. They are a specific cultural and historical phenomenon, a geographical, historical, and social entirety rising above the intersecting lines of many national borders. These mountains are an inseparable mix of cultures, a place of encounter and overlap of influences -- Polish, Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Slovakian, and Hungarian, as well as German, Jewish, and many, many others. In this light, we want to discover, study, and protect these mountains. We are going to spread knowledge of the Carpathians and attempt to preserve both their cultural complexity and richness. We intend to work towards mutual understanding among the co-inhabiting nations and ethnic groups while at the same time preserving their national identities.

We attach great importance to the breaking down of national prejudices. This problem can be solved only through solid research and popularization of the contributions of particular ethnic and national groups to forming the cultural landscape of the Carpathians.

We wish to make the Society a stage for both the objective exchange of opinions and the dissemination of results of studies, a place of meeting and cooperation for people of different views, for representatives of various nationalities, and for members of different ethnic groups -- for all those interested in the Carpathian mountains.

Kremenaros - szczyt w Bieszczadach, na którym spotykają się granice Polski, Słowacji i Ukrainy

Kremenaros - a place in the Bieszczady mountains where the borders of Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine meet

We will record the past and promote the protection of historical and natural monuments, support the local folklore, and encourage all activities which cultivate Carpathian artistic traditions. We intend to support scientific and popular studies as well as journalistic and literary activities which propagate knowledge of the Carpathians. We want to help with the organization and promotion of museums, Skansen museums, regional chambers, and folk festivals, as well as natural reserves and national parks. We also want to document the condition of the natural environment and its ensuing changes.

Members of the Society will be entirely free to choose the area of their work relating to the Carpathians. Thus the program of the Society will be a mosaic arranged by fitting together the individual programs of each member. The Society is entirely based on the principle of volunteerism and gratuitous services. However, where programs requiring financial assistance (inventories, maintenance, publishing, etc.) are concerned, we will help to acquire the funds by finding sponsors and so forth.

All who would like to follow and share their Carpathian passions and interests are welcome to cooperate with us, regardless of nationality and residence. We would like to develop contacts and cooperation with regional and tourist associations interested in the Carpathians, and with scientific and museum centers both at home and abroad.

Our joint efforts will determine the form the Society will take. Cooperation is of the utmost importance. The greater the contribution, the stronger and more effective the activity of the Society will be.

Rada Towarzystwa Karpackiego
(Board of the Carpathian Society)
ul. Śmiała 47 m. 2
01-526 Warszawa, POLAND