OPEN LECTURES AS A MEANS OF SCIENCE POPULARIZATION (AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE “CHRONICLE” OF LVIV UNIVERSITY)

At the end of the 19th century, Lviv University emerged as a leading educational institution in the organization of General Lectures for the non-university population of Galicia. This initiative aimed to enhance adult education in the region and to increase women's access to educational opportunities. Notably, inspired by Lviv University's General Lectures, similar courses were subsequently established at other universities in Poland and Lithuania. Despite its significance and duration of over thirty years, modern historiography has only superficially addressed this initiative. The lecture topics and the list of lecturers were extensive, encompassing a wide array of contemporary issues in the natural sciences and humanities. Special emphasis was placed on subjects such as hygiene and the development of state consciousness among the regional population. Concurrently, lecturers were explicitly instructed to avoid topics that could incite agitation or social unrest. Among the lecturers were distinguished figures, including rectors and deans of faculties. Notably, the speeches of the eminent philosopher Kazimierz Twardowski have been preserved. The General Lectures of Lviv University were recognized with a diploma and a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Milan. Remarkably, the diploma has been preserved and is currently housed in the collection of the Warsaw Museum. This article delineates the principal milestones in the organization and activities of this “fifth” faculty, drawing on data from the university's chronicles. Keywords: Lviv University, Open Lectures, University Chronicles, Education, Public Lectures.