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Irena Sendler
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Painted by Maria Sieradzan

Zbigniew Brzeziński

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Painted by Maria Sieradzan

Joseph Conrad

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Painted by Maria Sieradzan

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Whenever we, young Polish people, meet folks from different countries they tend to ask a lot of questions about our homeland. It quickly turns out that they don’t know much about Poland and that their image of our motherland is often very different from reality. On the other hand, they always know plenty of details about the history and culture of countries like France, Germany, UK or USA. It also applies to their knowledge of historical as well as contemporary figures.

 

But why is that? A lot of Poles made a vital contribution to the way we perceive history, art and science today! It’s due to the course of our history that many of those talented people had to emigrate and as a result their achievements were assigned to other countries. Here’s an example: a producer who makes a movie in the USA is automatically considered to be American. And this is not always the case! It quickly turns out that a lot of those figures are quite well known to the public, but they were never associated with Poland. And some others were probably never known beyond Polish borders, but were colourful and dimensional figures, worth discovering.

 

This is why we created this site. It is an initiative of Polish high school students who want to make their history and culture well known among foreigners. We are presenting biographies of influential and talented figures of Polish origin: innovators, statesmen, artists or scientists who are still often not recognised despite their contribution and we want to change that! The site is meant as a popular guide, we aim to stimulate your interest and direct you to where you can learn more. We hope you enjoy discovering the achievements of our wonderful countrymen!

 

We have recently produced the video interview with Lech Wałęsa: you can watch it below (English subtitles available).

 

Józef Poniatowski

Józef Poniatowski by Josef Grassi

 

Prince Josef Poniatowski is one of the most underrated historic figures in Polish history. Pepi as he was called by close friends, was colourful character as he was famous for his parties, numerous bets but most importantly for being a great soldier, leader and commander. He would always care about his subordinates, for him they were like a family. Josef Poniatowski was awarded many times for his military achievements, but the highest distinction was the title of the marshal of France received from the famous Napoleon. He was the only foreigner awarded with this rank in France history. 

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Zbigniew Eugeniusz Religa

‘The heart wants what it wants’ – does it, really? Not with Professor Religa! A biography of the pioneer of human heart transplantation in Poland.

 

Zbigniew Religa watching his patient’s vital signs after the 23-hour-long operation.
The photo of the year 1987 acc. to National Geographic.

 

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Benedykt Polak

An older Marco Polo

 

 

Most people have heard of Marco Polo, the great Italian explorer, probably the first European to wander the great expanse of land that is Asia and write a chronicle about his journey. Far fewer people know that a Polish monk referred to as “Benedykt Polak” had been sent on a mission to travel to Mongolia almost 10 years before Marco was even born.

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Krzysztof Komeda Trzciński

Living a passionate life in the time of Communist occupation

 

 

Living in a period when during your lifetime the most devastating war in the entire history of your planet strikes your country - and after such terrifying phenomenon it is taken over by Communist regime - is for some still not enough to lose motivation. They stubbornly pursue their dreams and fulfill their passion. The genius world-famous jazz pianist, Krzysztof Komeda was one of them.

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Jerzy Grotowski

Polish avangarde theatre director

 

 

“When he was asked, what was the difference between a movie, television and theatre, his answer was: a direct, active relationship between an actor and a spectator. He reduced the division between stage and audience- he got rid of decorations and focused on actors exclusively. He was able to create an ocean from a floor, a confessional from a table and a magical place from an abandoned, forgotten ruin called theatre.”

 

Grotowski - born on the 11th of August 1933 in Poland.

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Julian Dunajewski

The man who saved Austrian economy

 

 

In 1880 for the first time in the history of the Austro- Hungarian Empire, a Pole became a Minister of Treasury. He occupied this position for 11 years. His significant impact on Austro- Hungarian economy can still be seen in his portrait which hangs in the Austrian parliament. Dunajewski is remembered as a person who saved Vienna from a financial catastrophe but also created a budget surplus.

 

But how has his journey began?

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