Aquila Polonica - Poland WW2

12/31/2025

"Poland's National Chopin Institute has launched a series of recordings by past laureates of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.

"The inaugural Warsaw Chopin Competition, held in January 1927, was modest in scope, attracting 26 pianists from eight countries.

"In the decades since, it has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious musical events. Many of its winners—including Pollini, Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson, Krystian Zimerman, Rafał Blechacz, Seong-Jin Cho, Bruce Liu and Eric Lu—have gone on to achieve global recognition."

100 years! Details at Polskie Radio:

Poland's National Chopin Institute has launched a series of recordings by past laureates of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.

12/29/2025

An excellent watch from our friends The American Institute of Polish Culture on the critical Poland American alliance and its role in maintaining security in today's Europe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMTjy7egJnU

"Dr. Klich discusses the evolving partnership between Poland and the United States, focusing on security, defense, NATO cooperation, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. He examines how both nations support Ukraine, strengthen transatlantic ties, and address major geopolitical challenges shaping Europe today."

This video features a public lecture by Dr. Bogdan Klich at the University of Miami as part of the Lady Blanka Rosenstiel Endowed Program in Polish Heritage,...

12/25/2025

A cook from Poland's II Corps puts the finishing touches on a Christmas cake for the troops on the Italian front of World War II. The cake reads 'Wesołych Świąt 1944 - Merry Christmas 1944'.

Photo Source: Imperial War Museum Archives

12/23/2025

We’re so pleased to congratulate author Clare Mulley! Her book Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Fearless WW2 Resistance Fighter Elzbieta Zawacka was awarded the Polish Foreign Ministry’s Best History Book by a Foreign Author for 2024/25! The award was presented to Ms. Mulley by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radisław Sikorski at a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry in Warsaw in early December.

More at https://www.polandww2.com/blogs/2025/12/agent-zo-wins-polish-foreign-ministry-award/

12/22/2025

"A Warsaw student is reconstructing of one of the most famous portraits of Fryderyk Chopin, destroyed during an uprising in 1863 that sought to free Polish lands from Russian control.

"The original work by Dutch-French Romantic painter Ary Schaffer was painted in the first half of the 19th century using oil on canvas and measuring 98 by 56 cm.

"But it was destroyed during the January Uprising, a major rebellion across the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against Russian rule, leaving behind only black-and-white photographs and engravings of the portrait."

A worthy goal! Full story at TVP World:

The original painting of Fryderyk Chopin was destroyed during the historic January Uprising.

12/20/2025

"Experts have launched a new search for the remains of Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalists during the Volhynia Massacre, as the countries’ presidents agreed to speed up exhumations after high-level talks.

"President Karol Nawrocki, who has long called on Ukraine to better recognize Polish suffering during the deadly World War II-era bloodbath, met his Ukrainian counterpart in Warsaw for the first time on Friday."

The rest and dignity of the victims is paramount here. Full details at TVP World:

As many as 100,000 Poles were killed in what many in Poland consider a genocide.

12/20/2025

The Royal Air Force Museum prepared a full video about the first kill of the Polish 303 Polish RAF squadron in the Battle of England. Interestingly enough, the story shows a military operation that was concluded even before the 303 Squadron became operational… Read more about the story! When the B...

12/19/2025

"Picture a parallel universe in which Robert Lewandowski, between scoring goals for Poland and Barcelona, breaks the country’s high-jump record and dominates speed skating.

"It sounds absurd, yet one man, Wacław Kuchar, actually did this, propelled by a remarkable sporting talent that saw him not only captain Poland’s football team but also reign supreme nationally across seven sports.

"Oh, and on top of that he fought in three wars and lived to tell the tale."

An incredible man, read his full life story at TVP World:

On December 18, 1921 Kuchar captained Poland in its first football match as a sovereign state.

12/18/2025

"Officials in Poland have honoured the victims of a communist-era massacre of workers in the north of the country 55 years ago.

"The commemorations marked 55 years since Poland’s former communist rulers in December 1970 ordered the army and police to open fire on protesting workers on the country’s Baltic coast, killing at least 45."

Poland remembers. Full story at Polskie Radio:

Officials in Poland have honoured the victims of a communist-era massacre of workers in the north of the country 55 years ago.

12/17/2025

"The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum has issued invitations to Holocaust survivors to attend commemorations marking the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the N**i German camp.

"'This and future anniversaries will increasingly focus on the words of the Survivors – both those who are still with us and those who, in the past, recorded their experiences, memories, testimonies, and warnings'"

Poland remembers! Details at Polskie Radio:

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum has issued invitations to Holocaust survivors to attend commemorations marking the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the N**i German camp.

12/16/2025

"Prime Minister Donald Tusk is set to attend commemorations Monday marking the 80th anniversary of Poland’s postwar incorporation of its Western and Northern Territories.

"Panels will address the historical, cultural, and economic transformations of the territories Poland acquired after World War II. Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk is scheduled to deliver a lecture as part of the event organized by the Association of Polish Cities."

Learn how Poland became the country it is today at Polskie Radio:

Prime Minister Donald Tusk is set to attend commemorations Monday marking the 80th anniversary of Poland’s postwar incorporation of its Western and Northern Territories.

12/15/2025

"Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has approved a public-private project to revamp the Polish capital's historic Gwardia Hall, an iconic sports venue that played a central role in the rise of Polish boxing,

"Trzaskowski announced the plan at a news conference, saying the redevelopment is part of a broader effort to reshape downtown Warsaw.

"'It is a historic place that remembers the years of czarist rule, the tragedy of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and the historic victory Polish boxers won over the Soviets in 1953,' he said."

Some incredible history behind this location! Full details at Polskie Radio:

Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has approved a public-private project to revamp the Polish capital's historic Gwardia Hall, an iconic sports venue that played a central role in the rise of Polish boxing,