Siergieja Mielgunowa emigracyjne spotkania z Polską
Sergei Melgunov’s Relations with Poles on Emigration

Summary/Abstract: This article presents a profile of the eminent Russian historian and political activist Sergei Melgunov, against the background of his interest in Poland and his contacts with Poles after his departure from the USSR. This little-known thread in the history of Polish and Russian relations in exile can be seen as a representative case study illustrating the difficulties Polish emigrants encountered when trying to establish a dialogue with representatives of the Russian emigrant community. On the other hand, it also provides an example of Polish and Russian cooperation in the area of anti-Soviet propaganda. The Russian historian used to be in touch with several Poles in exile, but he stayed with constant contact only (until his death) with his friend – Ryszard Wraga. The example of Mielgunov also shows well how different the understandings of the idea of a democratic Russia were for Poles and Russians. When most Russian democrats, like Mielgunov, wanted to combine the democratic system with the imperial position of their country, the Poles believed that de-imperialisation of Russia was the only to bring it the democracy and freedoms of Westerners.

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