ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Polish Heritage Society Annual Chopin Concert: March 10, 2019
• Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the PUL: March 17, 2019
• Summer Study In Krakow: Deadline April 10th, 2019
RECENT EVENTS
• CDI & Polish Book Institute Inaugurate the "Polish Bookshelf", March 7, 2019
• The 11th Polish Culture Salon, February 23, 2019
• Dr. Wolnicki Lecture at PUL, February 17, 2019
• Polish Wigilia at Villanova University, January 24, 2019
• Polish American Living History Association talk at PUL, January 13, 2019
• Chapter Supports Montessori Model United Nations
INTRODUCING: Mira DeMartino
PRESENTING:
• 100th Anniversary of PUL
DID YOU KNOW?
• Polish Easter Traditions
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Our Chapter proudly supports these important events:
The Annual Chopin Concert organized by the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia
The concert was held on March 10th, 2019 at the Settlement School in Germantown.
Guest artist was Wei Luo, who is a student at the Curtis Institute.
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A celebration of the Polish People's University (PUL) 100th Anniversary at the Associated Polish Home in Philadelphia
1919 - 2019
100-years in Service
for Polonia in America and Poland
Historical Session and Banquet
Join the Polish People's University (PUL) as they celebrate the 100th Anniversary.
The Jubilee Celebration will be held at the Associated Polish Home on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at 3:00 pm.
3:00 PM - Historical Session
5:00 PM - Banquet
The Ballroom at the Associated Polish Home
9150 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA
Ph: 610-457-2240 • Email: jromanski6@gmail.com
In 2019, the Polish People’s University celebrates the100th anniversary of its dedicated service to American Polonia in Philadelphia. In 1919, PUL arose from the needs of Poles who came to America in search of better living conditions. From the very beginning, PUL began its lecture and training activities and soon became an important center of Polonia. PUL activists understood that the unity of Polonia should revolve around a program in the Polish language. Although most of the PUL lectures are given in Polish, an increasing number of talks are featured in English to broaden the pool of both, the students as well as presenters. PUL is making every effort to invite a wide range of speakers to provide the audience with diverse topics.
The program of the Jubilee Ceremony includes presentations by PUL activists and guests. It shows the history of this prestigious and well-deserved Polonia educational institution and its sponsors. The list of names of outstanding lecturers gives a thematic retrospective of the topics addressed in the PUL forum during the past 100 years.
100th Anniversary Jubilee
of the Polish People’s University in Philadelphia
BOARD:
Dr. Janusz Romański – President
Dr. Małgorzata Romańska – Treasurer
Prof. Miron Wolnicki – Director
Dr. Aleksandra Ziolkowska - Boehm – Director
Edward Masternak – Director
Dr. Józef Rzeźnik – Honorary President
Dr. Małgorzata Zaleska – Advisor
Dr. Jan Zaleski – Advisor
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The 2019 Summer Study Abroad Program
Deadline: April 10th !!!
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Please visit the Kosciuszko Foundation website for detailed information:
https://www.thekf.org/kf/programs/study/?
for Polish American undergraduate students
for Polish American women from the greater Philly area and surroundings
for undergraduate and graduate Polish American students from Wisconsin
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CDI & the Polish Book Institute Inaugurate the "Polish Bookshelf" by Peter Obst
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 This year the Polish Book Institute (PBI), following up on the success of the "Polish Bookshelf" program in Great Britain, has inaugurated the program in the United States. The program centers on making Polish books, in translation, available to American readers through city libraries.
The institute sent lists of available books to collection managers at the Philadelphia Free Library and the Brooklyn Library System. Mr. Paul Artrip of the Philadelphia library selected over 80 titles, and nearly 200 books were requested by Ms. Izabela Barry of the Brooklyn Central Library. These were ordered by the Book Institute and delivered as a gift to the respective libraries at the beginning of March. Interestingly, both librarians also asked for some of the titles in the Polish language to enrich the collections of branches located in neighbourhoods with a Polish speaking population. The books will soon appear in the on-line catalogues of both libraries. Among the titles are: Polish literary classics, modern literature, cookbooks, science fiction, poetry, children's books and more. Those who would like to see a listing of the available titles may do so under: www.polishcultureacpc.org/books/list.html
To inaugurate the program Mr. Krzysztof Koehler, deputy director of the Institute and a poet and author in his own right, came to the United States. On March 6th he gave an interesting presentation at the Brooklyn Central Library about the Found in Translation Award given annually to an outstanding translation published in the previous year. The award is a platform for promoting contemporary Polish literature by supporting and showcasing emerging writers and translators. Also speaking at this forum was Jennifer Croft, who won the 2018 Man Booker International Prize for her translation from Polish of Olga Tokarczuk’s Flights.
 On March 7th , 2019 Mr. Koehler arrived at the neo-classical main building of the Philadelphia Free Library on Logan Square. Here, Citizen Diplomacy International (CDI) a local organization for promoting good relations between the United States and other countries and cultures, arranged a lecture and reception to welcome the "Polish Bookshelf" program to Philadelphia. After a greeting by CDI's director Siobhan Lyons, the podium was given to the featured speaker, Poland's ambassador in Washington, Piotr Wilczek. His presentation addressed the difficulties that Polish writers have in transcending borders to become known and appreciated outside their home countries. Mr. Koehler spoke about the value of the relationship between translators and authors. After answering many questions the speakers joined the audience for a friendly social evening. Among the many persons attending several Polish-American organizations were represented: Polish Heritage Society (Tiffany Loomis), Associated Polish Home (Hon. RP Consul Deborah M. Majka), Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation (Andrzej Zlotnicki and several board members) and Poles in America Foundation (Peter J. Obst). It was gratifying to see that many American supporters of the Free Library and members of CDI also came out to hear the presentation and speak with the Ambassador Wilczek and PBI Deputy Director Koehler. The staff of CDI deserves much credit and praise for organizing this event and in bringing Polish books to Philadelphia.
In photos below are: [1] Siobhan Lyons, Stephen Medvec, Debbie Majka and Andrzej Zlotnicki, [2] Ambassador Piotr Wilczek with Hanna Wewiora, Sylwia Czajkowska, Elizabeth Gosek and Elizabeth Zechenter - all Board members of the KF Philadelphia Chapter. Elizabeth Zechenter is also the President of the Jagiellonian Law Society.
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The 11th Polish Cultural Salon
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This social gathering took place on February 23, 2019, and was hosted by Hania and Miroslaw Wewiora. It was an amazing evening focused on a multimedia presentation in Polish by Mr. Andrzej J. Dabrowski on the life of the Legendary Edith Piaf.
Edith Piaf started singing in the streets of Paris when she was only 14 years old. She looked like a tiny bird but sang with passion and tenacity. No one would have predicted, that in several years, Edith Piaf will become one of the most famous singers in the world. Today, 56 years after her death, she is still one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century.
An unexpected donation of a beautiful sculpture called, "Freedom" by a well known artist, Mira DeMartino (see below), was auctioned and the profit will be used for our scholarship funds. Another truly memorable evening attended by sixty members of our Chapter!
Photos: [2] Our hostess, Hania Wewiora, [3] Mr. Andrzej J. Dabrowski with our Chapter Board members, [3] "Freedom" sculpture by Mira DeMartino, [4] salon guests
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Dr. Wolnicki's Lecture at PUL
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This lecture took place on Sunday, February 17th, 2019. Dr. Miron Wolnicki from Villanova University presented an exciting and controversial topic:
"Is The World Running Away from Democracy?".
This was a well attended and engaging event.
The next lecture: April 14, 2019:
Dr. Jan Zaleski, biochemist, and an art collector
Grafika Polska w czasie II Rzeczypospolitej (in Polish)
(Polish Graphics of the 1918-1945 period)
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Lecture by the Polish American Living History Association at PUL
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 On January 13th, 2019, Mr. Krzysztof Czuj
an engineer and historian, presented on the topic:
“Save Polish history from oblivion and deception: The contribution of Polonia reconstruction groups in popularizing military history among Polonia in the USA".
Mr. Czuj participates as a speaker and arranger of many Polish diaspora meetings in the USA as an active member of the reconstructive group of the eastern US coast. He was awarded the Medal of National Education.
Mr. Czuj is a member of The Polish American Living History Association, a nonprofit, educational organization whose goal is to educate the public on Poland's WW2 history.
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A Late Polish Wigilia at the Villanova University
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 On January 24, 2019 Miron and Marcia Wolnicki represented the KF Philadelphia Chapter at the Villanova student Wigilia. Sponsored by the new Villanova Polish American Cultural Society, this wonderful evening was organized by chapter Presidents, Mateusz Ziarnik and Barbara Fiedorowicz, along with the rest of their Board.
The Villanova Wigilia took place at the Garey's Cafe and was attended by students, a handful of Villanova Polish faculty and two Drexel University student representatives, Natalia Dzietczyk, current president of the Drexel University Polish Society (DUPS), and Martha Jablonowska, incoming Vice President of DUPS.
The Wigilia was celebrated with Polish traditions such as sharing the oplatek, singing Polish Christmas Carols, koledy, saying a prayer in Polish and English before dinner, eating traditional Polish foods such as pierogi, potato pancakes, croquettes, and of course the barszcz.
This event was Villanova's first ever opportunity letting the college students share a Polish cultural experience amongst the members of various nationalities. The Drexel University Polish Society now has a strong connection with the Villanova University Polish Club and will be working together soon. Hopefully, more Polish clubs at universities in the Philadelphia area can come together and enjoy meaningful Polish experiences like this one.
Photos: [1] Group picture :Teresa Wojcik, Joanna McGrath, Teresa G. Wojcik, Father Joseph Loya O.S.A. and Miron and Marcia Wolnicki, [2] Natalia Dzietczyk with Miron and Marcia Wolnicki, [3] Mateusz Ziarnik, Natalia Dzietczyk and Barbara Fiedorowicz
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Over 60 students attended this event.
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Our Chapter Supports Montessori Model United Nations
We were made aware of this project by the Starnawski family whose three sons, Jacob, Victor, and Oscar, are elementary level students at the Montessori Academy of New Jersey (Delran) and the Ogniwo School, where their mother, Renata Krok is a teacher.
Last year, Jacob took part in a contest "Byc Polakiem" (To be a Polishman) and in recognition of his work he was invited for the Gala in Warsaw at The Kings Castle. His project encompassed writing a newsletter about Poland regaining its independence. He did a great job and was awarded a tour to the three capitals of Poland (present: Warsaw, spiritual: Czestochowa and historical: Cracow.)
Currently, two older boys are working on the projects within the Montessori Model United Nations program and raising funds for this effort which is supported by our Chapter. Below is a thank you card, written by the boys to our Treasurer, Hanna Wewiora.
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Mira DeMartino
Mira DeMartino has a Master degree in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Poland and an MBA from University of Strathclyde Glasgow, Scotland.
Mira creates sculptures with her own AlumixArt™ Mixed Media technique, which consists mostly of aluminum. She works on commissioned Personal Sculptures, and "Artfirmations" - her rewarded empowerment sculptures.
Her artwork can be found in private collections in Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, and the United States.
https://www.mirademartino.com/
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100 Years of Polish People's University (PUL) A Historical Perspective
 This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Polish People's University in Philadelphia (Polski Uniwersytet Ludowy). It is associated with the 100th anniversary of Poland's regaining of independence.
The establishment of PUL is closely related to the activity of the Polish Socialists Union branch No. 5 in Philadelphia. At the meeting of the branch in August 1918, it was decided to create an educational and lecture institution in Philadelphia.
In January 1919, the first lecture on the PUL forum was delivered by Mr. J. Kozakiewicz - editor of the Polish Worker in New York. The talk took place in the Hall of the Lithuanian House on Allegheny Avenue in Port Richmond. Alfred Starzewski was the first secretary of PUL. After several months of operation, PUL reached the number of over 200 members. Until 1928, PUL carried out regular lecture activities and organized numerous social events. The financial crisis in 1928 interrupted the lecture activity. PUL did not have its permanent headquarters, which significantly hampered its operations. The thought of reactivating PUL's activity arose at the Polish Home during the Christmas wafer ceremony of a new, winding wave of emigration in December 1949. The Polish Home at Fairmont Avenue in Philadelphia was chosen as the headquarters of PUL. The Polish Home provided the main hall free of charge where regular PUL Sunday lectures began.
The following years brought many interesting lecturers and attractive topics, with a large participating audience. At the beginning of the '70s, Mr. Eng. Włodzimierz Denkowski, became its secretary. He was an extraordinarily talented organizer, full of creative ideas and thoughts. Thanks to him PUL had the honor of hosting many eminent politicians, people of science, culture, and art. We should mention Bor Komorowski, Professor Piotr Wandycz, Jan Nowak Jeziorański, Władysław Zachariasiewicz, Bolesław Wierzbiański, Hieronim Wyszyński, and other Polish consuls.
The 21st century is changing the profile of lecturers, the younger generation of the Polish diaspora is entering; post-Solidarity emigration, the Internet and mass media portals are coming to life, which has a significant impact on participation in lectures. The management of PUL is open to new members. It is imperative to support PUL's vision that the Polish language and Polish national traditions should be maintained and not forgotten.
At the core of the board's action lies the belief that the noble idea of PUL should be continued for the good and prestige of the American Polonia and our homeland of Poland.
The celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Polish People's University will take place on March 17, 2019, at the Polish Home at 9150 Academy Road in Philadelphia. As part of the celebrations of the Jubilee of PUL, ceremonial speeches and a banquet are being planned. We cordially invite all the Philadelphia area Polonia.
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All About Polish Easter Traditions..
by Marcia Geary Wolnicki and Miron Wolnicki
When people emigrate, they bring language, beliefs, culture, and traditions to their new homeland. These practices help to form a bridge from their birthplace to the new country. For Polish Americans, some of the Easter traditions are wonderful examples of this. Even though some of the traditions have evolved a bit, they still hold strong ties to the past and hopes for the future.
The date of Easter for the Roman Catholic (RC) Church and for the Eastern Orthodox Church are both based on the Sunday following the paschal full moon; the difference is that in one case (RC Church) the Gregorian Calendar is used for this calculation, whereas the Julian Calendar is used for the Eastern Orthodox. In 2019, the RC Easter falls on April 21, and for the Eastern Orthodox, April 28. The meaning behind the worship and celebrations are the largely the same, however.
 Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, niedziela palmowa the last day of celebration before the somber week ahead. Tradition held in Poland that “palms” were woven into colorful batons, often up to half a meter long. Willow branches, pussy willows and grasses were interwoven with ribbons and these symbolic decorations were blessed in church on Palm Sunday, and brought home to bring health and happiness to the family in the year ahead. Today, the tradition in Polish America holds the same symbolism, but real palm fronds are available at church on Palm Sunday; these are blessed, and taken home, where they are still woven into batons or crosses, often using colorful ribbons. These are kept in the home where the tradition of bringing health and happiness continues.
Pisanki decorating in Poland is done at a very high level of creativity and beauty! The Saturday before Easter, eggs were decorated using natural dyes such as onion skins or beets. Etching on the egg with a needle or using molten wax to create a design was practiced as well. Today in America, this tradition continues with all the same vigor, although artificial dye kits readily available are often used instead of the natural dyes. This family tradition holds a special joy for those with young children in the home.
 One of the traditions from Poland which is most strongly practiced still today in America is the preparation of święconka baskets, which will be blessed at Mass on Easter Saturday. These baskets are filled with items which have symbolic meaning and which will also used in the Easter feast. There will be eggs/Pisanki, which represent resurrection and new life. Horseradish is often used to represent the bitter herbs of Passover and Jesus’ death. Baskets might also include rye bread, sausage, flowers, palms,  pussy willows, and chocolates (representing joy). Finally the Easter Lamb, if it is made of sugar, is placed in the basket. In Poland, this small lamb was usually made of bread or sugar, or even plaster. Today in America the lamb is almost always made of butter and put on the Easter table. But the symbolism is still the same, representing Jesus and his self -sacrifice. The lamb may also be decorated with the Resurrection banner, which is a small red cross on a white background, symbolizing Jesus victory over death. The baskets are beautifully decorated, with white linens and ribbons, and often an empty vial is placed inside to be used on Easter Saturday to collect new Holy Water to bring home.
After Easter Mass is celebrated, 40 days of Lenten fasting is broken with a feast! Foods from the baskets which were blessed can be eaten, including ham, kielbasa, and eggs prepared in several ways. There are several desserts, perhaps including babka, mazurek, sernik. Much of the same occurs in America in Polish homes large meals are prepared, perhaps with more Westernized recipes but the same ingredients. Additions to the meal might include American potato or macaroni salad, and deli cheeses. One element that has changed somewhat is dessert. Often the Easter candy is eaten as the sweet after the meal, or perhaps Placek, which is a buttery cake with raisins – this may have largely replaced babka for the Polish American Easter meal.
These traditions connect Poles to their birthplace, and reveal to other Americans the strength of the culture as it exists today in their new homeland. Even though some traditions may have changed a bit, the meanings and emotions they evoke are the same.
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Call for Contributions and Contributors
Our newsletter welcomes contributions, comments and news from our members and friends, as well as from collaborating organizations. Please consider writing a short article for our newsletter on any subject related to Polish culture. Send contributions to:
Margaret Zaleska: margaret.m.zaleska@gmail.com
or Agnieszka Gerwel: dreamceramics@yahoo.com
Learn more about our recent and past events here.
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