Związek Górnośląski

Związek Górnośląski (ZG) is a regional association established in 1989 in Upper Silesia, Poland. It describes itself as the oldest and largest regional organization in Upper Silesia. Its main goal is the defense of the cultural and civilizational values of Upper Silesia, rooted in Christian foundations, and the integration of the region's community around its old and new values, aiming for the harmonious development of the local population. The association is headquartered in Katowice at Stalmacha 17, in the historic Willa Kocura. It is registered in the National Court Register since 25 July 2001 and has held public benefit organization (OPP) status since 17 June 2009. The organization operates through local circles and thematic brotherhoods across Upper Silesia. It engages in publishing, educational, scientific, research, and artistic activities, as well as youth work, club, social, and sightseeing activities. Notable initiatives include the Wojciech Korfanty Award (since 1993), the Upper Silesia Knowledge Olympiad, Śląskie Gody, and the Festival of Folk Costumes of Upper Silesia. It also runs the Dom Śląski (Silesian House) at Stalmacha 17 in Katowice, opened on 15 September 2014, which serves as a meeting place for Silesian organizations, youth, seniors, artists, scientists, and politicians. The association publishes a monthly newspaper, Górnoślązak, since September 2014. It is independent of political power and seeks to be a spokesperson for the values, aspirations, and interests of Upper Silesia on a national scale. The current president is Grzegorz Franki, who has been in office since 2015 and was re-elected for a fourth term in 2026.

Związek Górnośląski was established in 1989 in Upper Silesia, Poland, as a voluntary association of people identifying with the values symbolized by Upper Silesia. Its foundational declaration emphasizes the defense of the cultural and civilizational values of Upper Silesia, rooted in Christian foundations, and the integration of the region's community around its old and new values. The association draws on the identity derived from the Piast roots of the Upper Silesian duchies: Opole, Racibórz, Cieszyn, Zator-Oświęcim, Siewierz, Bytom, Nysa, and Opava-Krnov. It recognizes as its heritage the values transmitted by great Silesians, Silesian religious orders (Cistercians, Canons of the Holy Sepulchre, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, and Protestant diaconal communities), and organizations such as the pre-WWI Upper Silesian Academic Society, Macierz Szkolna, Alojzjanów, Sokół, Eleusis, Silesia Superior, Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Nauk na Śląsku, Związek Polaków w Niemczech, Związek Polaków w Czechosłowacji, Silesian Uprisings, Defenders of Upper Silesia in September 1939, Home Army soldiers in Silesia, and Silesian Grey Ranks. The association was registered in the National Court Register on 25 July 2001 (number 0000030109) and obtained public benefit organization status on 17 June 2009. Its headquarters is in Katowice at Stalmacha 17, in the Willa Kocura. The organization operates through local circles and thematic brotherhoods across Upper Silesia. On 21 June 2017, leaders of Związek Górnośląski and the Silesian Autonomy Movement announced the creation of the Silesian Regional Party, aiming to gain strong representation in the Silesian Voivodeship self-government. The association has published the monthly newspaper Górnoślązak since September 2014. It also runs Dom Śląski, opened on 15 September 2014 at Stalmacha 17 in Katowice, initiated by Dr. Łucja Staniczek, vice-president of the association. The Dom serves as a meeting place for Silesian organizations, youth, seniors, various professional groups, artists, scientists, and politicians, hosting author meetings, exhibitions, vernissages, chamber concerts, recitals, and feasts with regional music. The association organizes the Wojciech Korfanty Award (since 1993), the Upper Silesia Knowledge Olympiad, Śląskie Gody, and the Festival of Folk Costumes of Upper Silesia. Its presidents have included Andrzej Klasik (1989-1991), Joachim Otte (1991-1997), Jerzy Wuttke (1997-2000), Jerzy Śmiałek (2000-2003), Krzysztof Szyga (2003-2006), Andrzej Złoty (2006-2008), Józef Buszman (2008-2010), Andrzej Stania (2010-2014), Marek Sobczyk (2014-2015), and Grzegorz Franki (since 2015).

• 2026

  Grzegorz Franki re-elected as President for a fourth term

• 2017

  Announced creation of Silesian Regional Party on 21 June

• 2014

  Dom Śląski opened on 15 September; Górnoślązak monthly launched in September

• 2009

  Obtained public benefit organization status on 17 June

• 2001

  Registered in the National Court Register (no. 0000030109) on 25 July

• 1993

  Wojciech Korfanty Award established

• 1989

  Association established in Upper Silesia

Oldest and largest regional organization in Upper Silesia, independent of political power, advocating for Silesian cultural heritage and identity.

1. 1Związek Górnośląski – official websitezwiazekgornoslaski.pl
2. 2Związek Górnośląski – Wikipedia (Polish)pl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Związek Górnośląski – Wikidatawikidata.org