Polish studies outside Europe: history and perspectives of Polish studies in selected Latin American and East Asian countries

The proposed article aims to identify the origins of Polish studies centers operating outside Europe, i.e., in Latin America (with particular emphasis on Brazil and Argentina) and East Asia (primarily in Japan, China, and South Korea), and to compare their contemporary challenges. The proposed topic represents a significant contribution to the development of the "Geopolonistyka" (Geopolonistics) project, as it stems from the need to reflect on the nature and role of Polish studies outside Europe and provides an in-depth analysis of their functioning in distant and diverse sociocultural contexts. This approach will expand the global map of Polish studies centers to include institutions less frequently discussed in public discussions of Polish language and culture studies. This publication may, to some extent, contribute to the integration of Polish studies communities worldwide, supporting the main objectives of the "Geopolonistyka" project. It may also become a starting point for further research on the global reach and dynamics of Polish studies. It is also a response to the growing interest in research on global Polish studies, which is developing within the framework of comparative Polish studies and glottodidactics.