FIRST YEARS OF POLISH BOOK TRADE INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION. RECONSTRUCTION OF 1989-1995 MILESTONES (PART ONE). (Poczatki transformacji polskiego rynku ksiazki. Rekonstrukcja najwazniejszych wydarzen z lat 1989-1995 (czesc pierwsza))

The author discusses milestones in Polish book trade industry after 1989 (years 1989 to 1995), recalling background facts and figures from the communist Poland (in particular second half of 1980s) and addressing current situation. Various definitions of “transformation' notion in the context of book trade industry are cited. The issue of bankruptcy assets and problems of political and economical breakthrough are discussed. Attention is drawn to impetuous yet “creative' chaos of the new-born book trade industry. Finally, the author describes the development of self-regulatory organization for Polish book trade industry (Polska Izba Ksiazki, Polish Book Chamber) and first significant investments of international book trade companies in Poland (Harlequin publishing house).