Targi Wschodnie
Encyclopedia
Targi Wschodnie (ˈtarɡʲi ˈfsxɔdɲɛ, Eastern Trade Fair) was a major trade fair
in interbellum Poland
. It was established in 1921 and held in Lwów (now Lviv
, Ukraine
), and was designed to attract business people from Poland, Romania
and the Soviet Union
. Its geographic location gave it an important role in stimulating international trade and fostering Poland's economic development.
The Eastern Trade Fair was held in Lwów's most attractive park, Stryj Park (in Polish
, Park Stryjski).
The opening of the first Eastern Trade Fair, in 1921, was marred by an attempt by a Ukrainian
, Stepan Fedak
, to assassinate Poland's Chief of State
, Józef Piłsudski. While Piłsudski dodged the bullets, the Lwów Province
Governor, Kazimierz Grabowski, was wounded.
By 1928, the Fair could boast some 1,600 exhibitors, about 400 being foreign firms. That year, the event attracted 150,000 visitors. The exhibition grounds comprised some 220000 square metres (2,368,060.3 sq ft), with 46 pavilions and other buildings of some 20000 m² (215,278.2 sq ft) of total exhibit space, as well as some 15000 m² (161,458.7 sq ft) of outdoor show areas.
The fair
ground had its own rail siding
with freight station and warehouses, a customs area
and customs office, a telephone exchange and post office, and tram
connections to the city. The last fair took place in 1938. Next event was going to take place between September 2, and September 12, 1939, but it was not organized because of joint Nazi and Soviet attack on Poland.
Trade fair
A trade fair is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities...
in interbellum Poland
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
. It was established in 1921 and held in Lwów (now Lviv
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
), and was designed to attract business people from Poland, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. Its geographic location gave it an important role in stimulating international trade and fostering Poland's economic development.
The Eastern Trade Fair was held in Lwów's most attractive park, Stryj Park (in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
, Park Stryjski).
The opening of the first Eastern Trade Fair, in 1921, was marred by an attempt by a Ukrainian
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
, Stepan Fedak
Stepan Fedak
Stepan Fedak was a Ukrainian independence activist who, on September 25, 1921, attempted to assassinate Poland's Chief of State, Marshal Józef Piłsudski, as the latter visited Lwów for the opening of that city's first Eastern Trade Fair.-Early life:Stepan Fedak was the son of a prominent Lwów...
, to assassinate Poland's Chief of State
Naczelnik panstwa
Naczelnik Państwa was the title of Poland's head of state in the early years of the Second Polish Republic. This office was held only by Józef Piłsudski, from 1918 to 1922. Until 1919 it was called tymczasowy naczelnik państwa...
, Józef Piłsudski. While Piłsudski dodged the bullets, the Lwów Province
Lwów Voivodeship
Lwów Voivodeship was an administrative unit of interwar Poland . According to Nazis and Soviets it ceased to exist in September 1939, following German and Soviet aggression on Poland . The Polish underground administration existed till August 1944.-Population:Its capital, biggest and most...
Governor, Kazimierz Grabowski, was wounded.
By 1928, the Fair could boast some 1,600 exhibitors, about 400 being foreign firms. That year, the event attracted 150,000 visitors. The exhibition grounds comprised some 220000 square metres (2,368,060.3 sq ft), with 46 pavilions and other buildings of some 20000 m² (215,278.2 sq ft) of total exhibit space, as well as some 15000 m² (161,458.7 sq ft) of outdoor show areas.
The fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
ground had its own rail siding
Rail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
with freight station and warehouses, a customs area
Customs area
A customs area is an area designated for storage of commercial goods that have not yet cleared customs. It is surrounded by a customs border...
and customs office, a telephone exchange and post office, and tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
connections to the city. The last fair took place in 1938. Next event was going to take place between September 2, and September 12, 1939, but it was not organized because of joint Nazi and Soviet attack on Poland.
See also
- General National Trade Fair (Powszechna Wystawa Krajowa we Lwowie, 1894)
- Poznań International FairPoznan International FairThe Poznań International Fair is the biggest industrial fair in Poland. It is held on the Poznań fairground in Poland. Poznań International Fair is located in the centre of the city opposite the main railway station - Poznań Główny, in the centre of Poland and in the centre of...
- Targi PolnocneTargi PólnocneTargi Północne was a trade fair in interbellum Poland. It was established in 1928 and was held in Wilno , and was designed to attract businesses from the area of northeastern Poland, as well as Lithuania, Latvia and the Soviet Union.First Northern Trade Fair took place between August 18 and...