Anna Kucewicz

February 28, 2024
Spring Clean like a Pole

In Poland it’s difficult to consider Lent and preparations for Wielkanoc (Easter), without also thinking of the annual 'spring clean' at home. The aim of course, is for your house to gleam...

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January 31, 2024
The January Uprising which spurred on Polish Independence

Many people say that it would be impossible to establish an independent Polish state in 1918 without the sacrifices made during the Powstanie Styczniowe (January Uprising)of 1863.  Józef Piłsudski, like many...

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December 23, 2023
Who brings your Polish Christmas presents?

As children, with my parents we would always have Wigilia (Christmas Eve) with our grandparents, uncle, aunt and older cousins around a huge table in their old house. We would...

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October 27, 2023
Polish funerals – beliefs and traditions

As the 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' progresses into winter and 'nothing gold does stay,' our thoughts turn to the upcoming days of remembrance. In honouring our dearest departed...

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September 30, 2023
Polish Book “The Peasants” has a worldwide renaissance

Nearly 100 years after Władysław Reymont won the Nobel Prize for literature, his epic book „Chłopi"(The Peasants) has entered the world stage in a blaze of colour. An animated film...

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August 31, 2023
Wilno Polish City of Dreams

The beautiful panorama of the city of Wilno has been an inspiration for artists and writers throughout the centuries who called it home. Adam Mickiewicz to Juliusz Słowacki, Stanisław Moniuszko...

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July 4, 2023
General Sikorski : one soldier remembers

“The tragic death of General Sikorski enveloped the entire country and the Polish nation in mourning. To all the other losses was added the greatest and the most painful of...

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June 28, 2023
Empire Windrush: just another journey for Polish refugees

On the 75th anniversary of Empire Windrush, author Jane Raca has kindly agreed to write this piece: On 22 June 1948 the Empire Windrush, a ship that has become famous...

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May 30, 2023
Poland’s lost palaces and stately homes

I have a fascination with the British aristocracy, the endurance of hereditary titles and the permanence of their many opulent residences.  Whilst the 20th century brought with it many problems and changes...

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May 5, 2023
Coronations in Poland and plundered crowns

As the UK has celebrated the accession of King Charles III to the throne, I’m looking back at Polish coronations, the crowns used and particularly to the lavish coronation of a...

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