Kultura i nauka w relacjach między Polską Rzeczpospolitą Ludową i Republiką Włoską w latach 1959–1970

At the beginning of the 60s, the development of Polish-Italian cultural, scientific and technical-scientifi c relations, that already emerged long before, was strengthened. The relevance of those ties was shown by signing on March 25, 1965 of a bilateral cultural agreement (convention, ratified not until 1969) and inter-governmental agreement on technical-scientific co-operation (February 27, 1960). From the very beginning of this period, cultural, scientifi c and technical-scientifi c co-operation programmes were signed. Bilateral co-operation was taking place also beyond the offi cial framework of inter-governmental programmes. An important sign of enlivening of these relations was the opening of an Italian reading room in Warsaw in 1965. The main Polish People’s Republic’s institution dealing with promotion of Polish culture, science and technology in Italy was The Scientifi c Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, vigorously directed by Professor Bronisław Biliński. From the turn of the 50s and 60s, Polish-Italian cultural contacts were becoming more and more intensive. Polish theatre, cinematography, the arts, classical music and ballet stayed in Italy for good. They gained wide recognition, which were proved by numerous prizes at festivals organised in Italy. More and more fruitful were Polish-Italian scientifi c and technical-scientifi c contacts. Polish and Italian scientists were obtaining opportunities to participate in bilateral scientifi c exchange and visit both countries. In this period relations were established, i.a., among the Polish Academy of Sciences, Italian Accademia dei Lincei and National Council for Scientific Research (CNR), between the Polish Federation of Engineering Associations (NOT) and Federation of Scientific and Technical Associations in Milan (FAST), and between the Italian Atomic Energy Committee (CNEN) and Polish Government Plenipotentiary for Utilization of Atomic Energy. In addition, there was ongoing co-operation among universities of both countries.