Dear Readers,

The interest encountered by “Ochrona Zabytków” testifies to the necessity of our publication and confirms its assigned role. Together with the authors we make all possible efforts to meet the requirements of our readers and maintain a high level of the publication (contents and editing). It is our intention to present varied problems which may interest readers representing assorted specialisations and non-professionals. The articles proposed in this issue deal with a wide gamut of topics. We discuss, i. a. the protection of historical towns at a time of the ongoing systemic transformation and the protection of Iraqi cultural heritage by the Polish stabilisation mission. The latter question appears to be particularly topical in the context of the universally available recent publications on the subject. Other texts concern the history of Warsaw monuments, Christian cemeteries in the Bieszczady Mts., and the adaptation of former defensive systems and objects for the purposes of contemporary tourism. Furthermore, we have introduced a new section on “Non-material heritage”, in which we plan to discuss the protection of old names, customs and tradition – the other monuments of our culture and tradition. Their non-material nature renders them even more susceptible to damage and oblivion, becoming the prime reason for their protection and preservation for future generations. The protection of non-material heritage is discussed in articles about urban names, the history of Łódź, and folk traditions in the life of of the residents of Poznań. We sincerely hope that the new section will meet with the approval of our readers and potential authors. Finally, we renew our constant appeal for texts from all those whose work serves the preservation of our cultural legacy: may “Ochrona Zabytków” act as a periodical of all those concerned with Polish culture, art and cultural heritage. Respectfully yours, Jacek Rulewicz Director of the National Centre for Historical Monument Studies and Documentatio