In November of 2017, the Association of University Museums carried out a project devoted to Józef Brudziński, the rector of the University of Warsaw between the years 1915 and 1917. Wednesday, November 15th was yet another observance of the day on which this outstanding physician, scientist, and social activist reopened the university. 2017 is also the 100th anniversary of his death. To commemorate these events, a scientific meeting devoted to Józef Polikarp Brudziński – a prominent physician, pediatrician, orator, social activist, and university rector, was organized at the Tyszkiewicz-Potocki Palace (the seat of the Museum of the University of Warsaw). During this gathering, Professor Jerzy Miziołek, the director of the Museum of UW, spoke about great expectations, signs, and symbols observed during the years preceding the rebirth of Poland. Wojciech Zabłocki, the mayor of Warsaw’s Praga-Północ District, and Krzysztof Mordyński from the Museum of UW portrayed Brudziński as a social activist and a member of the local authority as well as described Warsaw during the first two decades of the 20th century. Hanna Bojczuk, a retired employee of the Main Library of the Medical Academy in Warsaw specializing in the history of Polish medicine, focused on Brudziński as a member of the Medical Society of Warsaw (Towarzystwo Lekarskie Warszawskie) between the years 1900 and 1917. Dr hab. Tadeusz Paweł Rutkowski, a lecturer at the Historical Institute of the University of Warsaw, tackled the subject of politics in the life of Brudziński and attempted to critically analyze him as a politician within this time. The meeting concluded with Adam Tyszkiewicz from the Museum of UW detailing the problem of commemorating Józef Brudziński at the University of Warsaw. At a break in the deliberations, a notable actor, Adam Fidusiewicz, read a speech given by rector Józef Brudziński in the University’s Botanic Garden during the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the May 3rd Constitution.
Following those events, an opening of an exhibition devoted to rector Brudziński was held at the building of the Old Library of the University of Warsaw. The event was attended by Józef Brudziński’s family members with the grand opening performed by Prof. Dr hab. Andrzej Tarlecki, the deputy rector of UW, Prof. Dr hab. Jerzy Miziołek, the director of the Museum of the UW as well as Jan Polaczek. A painting of Rector Brudziński by Marta Kunikowska-Mikulska was also officially unveiled.
The projects obtained additional funding from the Multiannual NIEPODLEGŁA (INDEPENDENT) Program for the years 2017-2021, a part of the “Niepodległa” Grant Program.