Szanowni Państwo!

It gives us great pleasure to present yet another issue of “Ochrona Zabytków”. We have learned that the previous volume of our periodical, prepared by a new editorial board, has met with your interest and approval. We would like to draw your attention to a series of articles about the art of illuminating historical objects. The monuments, withdrawn from night-time shadows, reveal a totally new appearance, although in order to avoid banality the lighting should meet certain requirements, a feat which is an art in itself. In accordance with the years-long tradition of “Ochrona Zabytków” we are open to co-operation with experienced representatives of assorted sciences serving the preservation of the cultural heritage, workers of the conservation services, as well as the guardians and users of historical objects. We also invite young apprentices of the art of conservation, particularly familiar with modern technologies that facilitate the restoration of former splendour to historical monuments. On our part, we shall continue to make all possible efforts for the successive issues to possess crucial, variegated contents, serve an exchange of experiences within the protection of cultural heritage, and to present an increasingly attractive graphic layout. It is our ambition for “Ochrona Zabytków” to become a permanent fixture in your libraries; this would be not only a source of indubitable satisfaction for us but also an incentive for a constant improvement of the periodical’s standard. The presented volume is yet another joint issue since we are doing everything possible to compensate for delays. It is also our intention for the periodical to become more easily accessible, i. a. thanks to co-operation with the EMPIK network. We welcome your cooperation and hope that you find our material interesting reading. Respectfully yours, Jacek Rulewicz Director of the National Centre for Historical Monument Studies and Documentation