Racot. A melting pot of cultures

Racot. A melting pot of cultures

In 1921 the Racot mansion became the seat of the presidents of the reborn Polish state. This event was connected with the nationalization of the grand ducal estates of the Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach family. The era marked by the presence of the Dutch and Germans living next to Poles in the heart of Greater Poland was drawing to an end, while a new period was beginning for Poland: the unifying state looked forward. The state, created out of three lands of differing economic and cultural development levels required strong integration. Therefore, on August 1, 1919, the Ministry of the former Prussian District was established, which was to integrate the well-developed Greater Poland with the rest of the partitioning lands that made up the reborn Poland. One of the elements of the integration process was the establishment of the imperial castle in Poznań as the official seat of the Polish presidents. Many people forget, however, that the Jabłonowski palace in Racot also become such a residence, allowing the presidents to rest in the countryside, but also more conveniently to carry out their tasks in the Greater Poland province –perfectly organized and forming the basis of prosperity of the entire region since the 19th century.

In this way the Kościan Region gained another, unique element creating a cultural mosaic of this part of Greater Poland. Presidents Ignacy Mościcki and Stanisław Wojciechowski came to Racot. At the behest of the presidential chancellery the palace was adapted to the needs of the head of state, the remnant of which is, among others, a shelter located in the basement.

On the centenary of the official presidential residence being established in Racot, we would like to recall the circumstances of those events. This will be underlined by an occasional exhibition devoted to the first decade of the Second Polish Republic. It will show the functioning of the Kościan Region within Greater Poland, and its functioning within Poland. The common denominator will be the history of Europe in 1918–1928. Keeping in mind the history of Racot, we will also present Polish-Dutch and Polish-German relations in the above-mentioned period. The anniversary of the establishment of the presidential residence falls at a difficult moment, especially from the point of view of Polish-German relations. The “Melting pot of cultures” aims to recall both the bright sides of the first decade of Polish independence as well as the less glorious moments. They all make up our common past. The past in the present is necessary to build the future – based on solidarity, reconciliation, common goals, responsibility and truth.

Initial plan depending on the current sanitary and epidemiological situation:

  • 14:30 church of St. Stanisław Kostka and St. George in Racot | ecumenical service under the slogan “Remembrance and Reconciliation”
  • 15:15 church of St. Stanisław Kostka and St. George in Racot | organ recital presenting Polish, Dutch and German masterpieces
  • 16:00 the palace park area | unveiling of a commemorative plaque dedicated to Presidents Mościcki and Wojciechowski
  • 16:20 honorary courtyard in front of the palace | official part | reminder of the history of establishing the presidential seat | guest speeches
  • 17:00 honorary courtyard in front of the palace | music concert “It was a completely old fashioned world”
  • 18:00 guided tours of the palace and park complex | “Trismak” – tasting the cuisine of three nations

In the meantime, we invite you to see the occasional exhibition located around the courtyard. Art workshops have been planned for our youngest guests.


The initiator and originator of the event “Racot. A crucible of cultures ”is Dr. Emilian Prałat. The Foundation “Bonum adipisci” – Strive to good, whose founder is Mr. Prałat, in 2021, joins organizational activities.