“Krakau, Krakau, hier Sarnaki”, began the radio message, overheard by “Pawłowicz” from his workplace in the Sarnaki brewery. A stream of coded words followed. For the occupying Germans, it was...
March 29, 2026
Polish traditions during Wielki Tydzień, Holy Week are still kept in villages and towns. During this Great Week running up to Easter much goes on and it’s not all about...
February 1, 2026
Karnawał has traditionally been a whirl of parties throughout this carnival season, making winter in Poland the most festive time of the year. It is winter's glittering rebellion and continues...
December 22, 2025
As Christmas lights bounce off shiny baubles — or bombki, as they’re amusingly called in Polish — it’s worth pausing for a moment. Not just to admire our decorating skills, but...
October 31, 2025
These portraits are of Polish citizens from Pomorze Gdańskie (Gdansk Pomerania), forcibly conscripted to fight in the German Army during the Second World War. The course of the war was...
August 31, 2025
Have you ever heard of this mysterious plant? Its Polish name, Dziewięćsił, literally means “nine forces.” In English, it’s known as the short-stemmed Carline Thistle. I’ve never seen one in...
July 26, 2025
A cardboard suitcase, once a common companion for many, evokes memories of movement. Although the materials from which a Valizka - Walizka - Suitcase is made have evolved, its purpose...
May 1, 2025
My earliest memory of this significant date in the Polish calendar involves standing alongside classmates, waving paper Polish flags and singing “Witaj Maj, trzeci maj, dla Polaków błogi raj!” - “Welcome...
April 21, 2025
"Other soldiers were here in transit and had a 'return ticket' home. The Poles acted as if they had come home. Why? Because they had no home. Poland had been...
March 29, 2025
Finally everything is coming to life. In Polish culture, spring is a time to reawaken in ourselves the poet, the artist. Polish poets of the 20th century used spring to...
February 2, 2025
It is 85 years since the first of four mass deportations to Siberia and other areas, carried out by the NKVD of the Soviet Union. They began on 10 February...
December 15, 2024
The twelve dishes of Wigilia are a wonderful mix of savoury and sweet delights some with a hint of spice. So here are twelve books variously seasoned to keep you...
November 29, 2024
Often on Andrzejki (St Andrew's Eve), when the nights are dark, according to Polish tradition I gather a group of young girls and amongst hoots of laughter and hysterics they...
October 27, 2024
What do you do when after two weeks of fighting one enemy (Germany), your country is stabbed in the back by another (Russia). Your troops are shielding retreating infantry troops...
September 29, 2024
Each August or September the harvest takes place, according to the laws of nature. Our traditional dances and processions often now taking place in October are based on this end...
About This Site
Polish identity, culture, history and heritage for those of us born around the world. For more click here.
FREE DOWNLOADS
1.Tracing Family History pre-WW2
2. Tracing Family History WW2