Władysław Reymont Museum of Literature in Bielsko-Biała

The Władysław Reymont Museum of Literature in Bielsko-Biała, located at 1 Pankiewicza Street, is an institution established in 1989 by Tadeusz Modrzejewski, a self-taught enthusiast of Polish literature. The museum primarily collects hand-copied and illustrated works of classic authors, particularly those of Władysław Reymont, but also Adam Mickiewicz and Henryk Sienkiewicz. Modrzejewski's collection, comprising over 120 meticulously transcribed books, reflects his deep personal commitment to culture and his love for literary heritage. The museum operated as an initiative sustained by voluntary donations from visitors and lacked formal support from cultural institutions. Architecturally, it was housed in a neglected tenement building in the Old Town, which Modrzejewski personally decorated and transformed into both a workshop and exhibition space. His efforts were not only culturally significant but also marked by personal struggles; Modrzejewski frequently faced financial difficulties, a theme widely covered in the media, which often referred to him as "the last Polish scribe." The museum experienced periods of closure and revival, with fundraising campaigns organized to ensure its survival. In 2023, an agreement was reached under which the collection was acquired by the Beskid Library, and the museum suspended its operations, with plans to reopen after the renovation of the building. Tragically, Tadeusz Modrzejewski passed away in March 2024 in a fire at his apartment, without witnessing the museum's planned revival. Until 2023, the museum functioned as a private institution, serving not only as an important part of Bielsko-Biała's cultural landscape but also as a symbol of perseverance in the effort to preserve Polish literary heritage.