Gdynia 1920–1939: Poland’s Gateway to the World

Gdynia's rapid transformation from a small fishermen’s village to Poland's premier Baltic port between 1920 and 1939 symbolized the nation's ambition for modernization, global trade, and overseas expansion. The study reveals that this development was driven by intensive propaganda across multiple media—including exhibitions, literature, film, and public events—while also reflecting economic realities and Poland's strategic shift away from its historical position between Germany and Russia/USSR. By analyzing contemporary rhetoric and publications, the research contrasts Gdynia’s propagandistic image with its actual growth, highlighting how it became a metaphor for Poland's 'gateway to the world.' This dual perspective offers insight into interwar Poland's national identity and aspirations.

Grzechnik, M. (2022). Gdynia 1920–1939: Poland’s Gateway to the World. Studia Historica Gedanensia, 13, 204–224. https://doi.org/10.4467/23916001hg.22.014.17434