Category Archives: History

Westerplatte Film Controversy

4
Sep
2008

So, continuing on the subject of Westerplatte, I don’t know if you’ve heard about this new Polish movie “Tajemnica Westerplatte” (The Secret of Westerplatte). The movie is not even made yet, the script has barely been written, and it’s already a huge scandal in Poland. For those who don’t know, here’s a quick recap:
Paweł [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Culture | Comments (8)

September 1st in Polish History

1
Sep
2008

Today is September 1st and if you ask any Polish kid about its significance, they will give you a blank stare as an answer. I’ve just tried it.
It was a bit different in my days. Now, I don’t know what they teach you about the starting date of WW2 (druga wojna światowa) in your countries, [...]

By Anna | Comments (7)

Where is Stanisławów?

25
Aug
2008

One of our readers, Debbie, had a question about a town, which she thought might have been in Galicja (“Galicia” in English). And because this is a blog about all things Polish, we’re talking here about the Polish Galicia, not the one in Spain.
Debbie wasn’t sure of the spelling, but luckily, I knew exactly what [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Geography | Comments (6)

Required Reading - Jan Brzechwa

15
Aug
2008

Today is a public holiday in Poland, the Feast of the Assumption, which is an important Catholic celebration, I presume. Though when I asked my friend this morning about the reason for a day off, she mumbled something about the Battle of Warsaw instead. That battle, also known as the Miracle at the Vistula, [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Culture | Comments (1)

Four Tankmen And a Dog

29
Jul
2008

I woke up this morning humming the theme song from “Czterej pancerni i pies” (Four Tankmen And a Dog). Don’t ask me why - I must have had some really wacky dreams last night. Mercifully, I remember nothing. So how did this song get stuck in my head this morning? A total mystery to me.
It’s [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Culture | Comments (11)

Mr. Geremek’s Funeral

23
Jul
2008

This past Monday I was listening to the funeral services for Bronisław Geremek. Only listening, because I’m not into state funerals with full honors, unless of course, it’s one of the world’s famous despots who’s dead – their funerals are always fun. But the service on Monday was very dignified, sad and solemn.
Bronisław Geremek was [...]

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A Little Bit About Mrągowo

1
Jul
2008

One of our readers is going to Poland this summer, and that in itself is nothing unusual, tons of people visit Poland every year. But not very many of them go to Mrągowo. In fact, I was rather surprised to hear that anyone from abroad would actually know where Mrągowo is. Because I’d bet that [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Culture | Comments (4)

Where in the World Is Galicia

20
Jun
2008

I would like to welcome all my new readers and thank you guys for commenting. It’s great to see your feedback! I also want to encourage you to ask me questions and offer suggestion regarding what you want me to write about here. Don’t be shy! Whether it’s grammar, spelling, history, or “my grandma used [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Geography | Comments (21)

Henryk Sienkiewicz - Required Reading

18
Jun
2008

Lately I have been hearing a lot about what it means to be Polish. It seems to be a trendy discussion topic, both among my countrymen and foreign expats living in Poland. And while neither side can agree on what exactly characterizes a typical Pole, they are both of the same opinion when it comes [...]

By Anna | Also posted in Culture | Comments (1)

You like Warsaw? Thank an Italian!

18
May
2008

Bernardo was not a happy guy. His life stunk, but then again, so did the lives of all the other court painters in his days. Kissing up to the local princelings to get a new contract every few years wasn’t exactly all fun and games. And then, there was his uncle - Canaletto – also [...]

By Anna | Comments (2)