THE FEBRUARY 16th LECTURE HAS BEEN POSTPONED
due to projected winter storm
The new date will be posted here when it becomes available.

BOTH EVENTS HOSTED IN THE POLISH CENTER OF WISCONSIN
6941 S. 68th Street Franklin, WI 53132-8237
► Map of Location ◄

February 16 at 6:30 pm

LOOKING AT POLAND’S
EVER CHANGING BORDERS
through History and their impact
– on Poland and on us too.

Presented by Professor Donald Pienkos

Perhaps more than practically any other country, Poland’s fate over its first 1000 years has been shaped by its border situation, or more accurately, by the absence of readily defined and defensible borders.

In my talk, which I illustrate with vivid maps of Poland over the centuries, I discuss how Poland’s fate has been very much defined by its leaders’ ability to defend the Country from powerful enemies – from the west, the East, even the North. Indeed Poland’s profound border situation is a core reason why so many people from Poland emigrated elsewhere – to western Europe, Canada, Brazil, and of course, the United Sy les and to Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

About the Speaker: Donald Fienkos is Professor Emeritus (Political Science) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwukee. At UW-M Don was a founder of the Polish Studies and the Russian and East European Studies programs. A long time PHA supporter, its Polish Fest and the Polish Center, Don is a member of the Milwaukee Society of the PNA and the Polish American Congress. He is the author of the Congress’ official history For Your Freedom Through Ours .

Free and open to the public, no registration required

January 26 at 6:30 pm

POLISH RESCUERS
during the Holocaust

Presented by Michael A. Morris

On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland and immediately instituted their violent and antisemitic policies. In the face of this persecution, some Poles risked their lives to help Jews, and today over 7,000 Poles are honored by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations, non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource (HERC) will highlight a number of Poles who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Attendees will also learn about how HERC brings Holocaust education to every part of Wisconsin.

About the Speaker: Michael A. Morris, HERC’s Community Engagement Manager, has an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University and an M.A. in Experiential Education and Jewish Cultural Arts from the George Washington University.

Free and open to the public but registration recommended – register HERE

Sponsored by the Polish Center of Wisconsin in partnership with
the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center

POLISH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
Narodowe Święto Niepodległości

“November 11th is a special day for the Polish people because it represents the fulfillment of their pursuit of freedom during Poland’s long and painful history. The many doomed uprisings, the bondage of Siberian exile, and efforts to sustain Polish culture and identity were not in vain. After over a century of a consistent, dedicated, and tireless fight, Poland emerged from the iron chains of the partitioning powers. November 11th is the collective legacy of generations of Polish patriots who stood against overwhelming odds. It was the day when Poles’ dreams and hopes were fulfilled in the rebirth of their nation” /from the Polish American Congress (PAC) website/

“I deeply believe in the independent, sovereign, free Poland. I deeply believe in my compatriots. I deeply believe in the sense of great faith – latent in everyone and in all of us — in the value of sovereign, independent, our own Poland, where we govern and make decisions all by ourselves. I deeply believe in the wisdom of our society” – said Polish President Andrzej Duda during the ceremony and guard briefing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw. The Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda was in attendance.

104 Words for 104 Years
of Polish Independence

Under this title arrived the special address delivered in Polish to the Polish people from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky:

“Dear Poland. Your regained independence is 104 years old today. And I have 104 words for you. Ukraine and Poland together. You are our sister. We had our ups and downs, but we are relatives. We are free. When our regained independence was 30 years old, Poland was next to us. I remember our shared happiness. We rejoiced together. When we met again with the old common enemy, Poland was next to us. Ukrainians will always remember this. They will remember how they welcomed us, how they help us. Your people are our allies. Your country is our sister. Your friendship is forever. Our friendship is forever. Our love is forever. Together we will be winners. With Independence Day, Poland. With Independence Day, my dear…”