Nieuwsbericht | 02-06-2015
INVITATION
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland invites you to participate in a seminar celebrating Jan Bloch’s legacy in The Hague on the occasion of the publication of the first biography of him in English.
The programme takes place on Thursday 11th June, 14:00 – 17:00 in the Polish Embassy, Alexanderstraat 25 in The Hague in cooperation with the International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP). Moderator is Dr. Peter van den Dungen, general coordinator of INMP, cofounder of the ‘Jean de Bloch Society’ in Warsaw (‘Towarzystwo Jana Blocha,’1987-2007) and one of the contributors to the publication.
In the history of The Hague as the capital city of international peace and justice, too little attention has been paid so far to the role of Jan Bloch (1836-1902), ‘King of Polish railways’, banker, and author of the 6-volume prophetic study The Future of War (St. Petersburg, 1898). It influenced Tsar Nicholas II to issue his rescript that was to result in the First Hague Peace Conference (1899). Together with Bertha von Suttner, Jan Bloch was the most notable lobbyist during that conference; his public lectures in Diligentia Theatre have become legendary.
It is most appropriate that Jan Bloch – Capitalist, pacifist, philanthropist (edited by Andrzej Zor, and translated from the Polish, with new material) should be launched in The Hague, the city which owes so much to him.
You are welcome to attend this event at the Embassy of the Repulic of Poland, Alexanderstraat 25, 2514 JM The Hague. RSVP by 5th June to Natalia.zweekhorst@msz.gov.pl
Programme:
14:00 – 14:10: Welcome by HE Ambassador Dr. Jan Borkowski
14:10 – 15:10: Short presentations about aspects of Jan Bloch’s life, including his significance for The Hague, with speakers from Poland and The Netherlands
15:10 – 15:20: Presentation of Jan Bloch (1836-1902) – Capitalist, pacifist, philanthropist published by Jan Bloch Foundation & TRIO Publishing House (Warsaw, May 2015). Participants will receive a complimentary copy
15:20 – 15:40: Discussion/Questions and Answers
15:40 – 17:00: Reception
17:00 – 18:00: Guided Peace Walk ‘In the Footsteps of Jan Bloch’ (optional)