Features

The Africa Connection
2016 Vol. 8 No. 2—Spring / Features

The Africa Connection

When two Polish Canadians visit their grandparents’ childhood homeland in Africa they meet others on the same quest. “We immediately celebrate!” writes Amanda Chalupa. We ‘get’ each other.”

Jan Karski
2016 Vol. 8 No. 2—Spring / Features

Jan Karski, Humanity’s Hero, a Soldier of an Allied Army

A special event in San Francisco honoured Jan Karski, and veterans of two allied countries, Poland and the United States. A great thing to do, especially together.

Poland As An Ally: WWII Photo Essay
2015 Vol. 7 No. 3 — Fall / Features

Poland As An Ally: WWII Photo Essay

From Norway to Africa, from Russia to the Atlantic, in the air and on the sea, the Polish forces were there for their allies. Justine Jablonska pays tribute to the bravest and most loyal men and women of WWII.

Poland and the United Nations
2015 Vol. 7 No. 3 — Fall / Features

Poland and the United Nations

Poland, a signatory of the Declaration of the United Nations in 1942, was excluded from the inaugural conference held in San Francisco in 1945. Piotr Długołęcki traces the diplomatic maneuvers that betrayed a faithful ally.

The Piłsudski Institute Crosses the East River
2015 Vol. 7 No. 3 — Fall / Features

The Piłsudski Institute Crosses the East River

Only Beth Holmgren can distill a history of an archive, an ethnic neighborhood, Poland and its not-so-faithful allies, and the Polish diaspora including pro bono architects, a credit union, and great food with so much information, affection and élan. And “sto lat” to the Institute’s director, Dr. Iwona Korga.

On the Eve of Freedom
2015 Vol. 7 No. 3 — Fall / Features

On the Eve of Freedom

In a 1988 newscast, Stephanie Kraft heard the hejnał played from the tower of the Mariacki Church and learned that Poles had been doing so all through the communist era. Intrigued by these determined and stubborn people, she chose Poland as her destination for a journalist junket. She has returned every year since.

Chess with the General
2015 Vol. 7 No. 2 — Summer / Features

Chess with the General

Traveling back in time again to 19th Century California where those expert tour guides, Lynn Ludlow and Maureen Mroczek Morris, take us to San Francisco’s lively gathering spot, the New York Casino. Owned by General Kris, the handsomest general in the Union Army, the Casino is known for its convivial spirit along with a steady flow of spirits. A regular patron is Rudolf Korwin Piotrowski who likes nothing more than philosophical discussions about the true nature of “Polishness” between visits to the generous – and free – offerings at the General’s table.

Jan Kott, City Garage, and the Polish Theatre in Los Angeles
2015 Vol. 7 No. 2 — Summer / Features

Jan Kott, City Garage, and the Polish Theatre in Los Angeles

Hard to trace the first encounter between Frederique Michel and Jan Kott, but their meeting and collaboration at City Garage eventually led to Polish Theatre Month in Los Angeles. Maria Pilatowicz tells the story.

Chopin Theatre: A World Meeting Place Amidst a Changing Chicago
2015 Vol. 7 No. 2 — Summer / Features

Chopin Theatre: A World Meeting Place Amidst a Changing Chicago

Where would you meet Studs Terkel, Zadie Smith and Małgorzata Pospiech; see John Cusack’s adaptation of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” as well as Theatre Banialuka’s “Opowieść o chłopcu i wietrze;” in fact a non-stop stream of eclectic, daring, stimulating events? Megan Geigner leads the way to Chicago’s fabulous Chopin Theatre.

Isfahan, the City of Polish Children
2015 Vol. 7 No. 1 — Spring / Features

Isfahan, the City of Polish Children

They received gifts of dates, nuts, roasted peas with raisins, and juicy pomegranates; visited museums, mosques and bazaars; and were always greeted with kindness. All this in what has often been called the most beautiful city in the world.

Silicon Valley
Features

Silicon Valley

Eavesdropping at a Palo Alto Café, you overhear common terms like “start-up” and “prototype” and “later-stage accelerator,” but all this is just plain shoptalk. There are, however, no specific terms to define the magic of Silicon Valley itself.

New Zealand: The Warmest of Welcomes
2015 Vol. 7 No. 1 — Spring / Features

New Zealand: The Warmest of Welcomes

It is important to understand the welcome practices of host countries and their treatment of child refugees, and the long-term well-being and adaptation of both the children and their host countries. Amanda Chalupa takes a look at what is possibly the gold standard, set by the people of New Zealand.

February 1940: Exile, Odyssey, Redemption
2015 Vol. 7 No. 1 — Spring / Commentary / Features

February 1940: Exile, Odyssey, Redemption

When the Soviets deported Polish citizens from their zone of occupied Poland, the Poles began a journey that would cover several continents and oceans. Among the most amazing is the saga of the children’s odyssey.