Wydawnictwo Harcerskie „Horyzonty” (1958–1976)

Abstract

The article discusses the activity of the Scout Publishing House “Horyzonty” since its establishment in 1958 until its inclusion into the structures of the Youth Publishing Agency in 1976. It provides a detailed characteristic of the organizational evolution of the publishing house and its publishing repertoire of books and magazines. The article draws attention to the economic aspect as well as distribution and promotional activities. Although the publishing house was connected with the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association as far as its organization and repertoire were concerned, its thematic profile evolved from discipline handbooks to popular science books and belles letters intended for kids at the age of 12–15. On the one hand, subordination to the home organization facilitated establishing contacts, which resulted in promotional actions led in cooperation with other organizations close to the Association. On the other hand, it was a burden related to the necessity of fulfilling service tasks which not always translated into an active economic balance. The analysis presented in the article is based on documents gathered in the Central Archive of Modern Records in Warsaw and publishing catalogues. It was supplemented with interviews given by the consecutive directors, press publications and data from Ruch Wydawniczy w Liczbach (Publishing Movement in Numbers).