Polish Weekly - Alicja Karlic

14/11/2025

This year's takes place Saturday, December 13th. Join us for this Polish Christmas tradition. Tickets must be purchased by December 5th.

14/11/2025

News from Poland

Poland will be exempt from EU plans for the compulsory relocation of asylum seekers for as long as the country hosts Ukrainian refugees, says Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

13/11/2025

Festiwal Filmów Polskich w Ann Arbor startuje już dzisiaj, a jutro - w piątek - oficjalne otwarcie festiwalu i film "Franz". Bilety na wszystkie seanse i na jutrzejszą Galę są jeszcze do nabycia na stronie Festiwalu. Polecamy!

O Festiwalu Filmów Polskich w Ann Arbor rozmawiamy z Andrzejem Dolatą, miłośnikiem filmu, członkiem tegorocznego komitetu festiwalowego i osobą od początku związaną z festiwalem. Andrzej Dolata jest też prezesem PCF-AA...

13/11/2025

Today!

🎥 The Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival (AAPFF) returns, celebrating over 30 years of Polish storytelling and culture!

Join us for a weekend of exceptional cinema, engaging discussions, and the chance to meet visiting Polish filmmakers in celebration of the richness and diversity of Polish film and culture. 🇵🇱

🗓️ November 13 - 16
✨ Full schedule in the comments!

12/11/2025

Today, I recommend an interesting text by Mietek Oniskiewicz about the first of our compatriots to arrive in the US.
Mam nadzieje, że zaglądacie na naszą website i czytacie publikowane artykuły! Nie o wszytkim informujemy na FB. Dzisiaj polecam ciekawy tekst Mietka Oniskiewicza o pierwszych naszych zjomkach przybyłych do US.
Ponieważ od wielu lat toczy się historyczny spór czy faktycznie to Panna Maria może rościć sobie palmę pierwszeństwa polskiego osadnictwa w Stanach Zjednoczonych, czy raczej jest to inna miejscowość… w Michigan.
Miłej lektury.

Wiele legend narosło co do przybycia pierwszych Polaków do Stanów Zjednoczonych Ameryki. Wiadomo oczywiście o bardzo wczesnych, pojedynczych przypadkach, jak chociażby niekwestionowani i zasłużeni dla powstania Stanów Zjednoczonych: Tadeusz Kościuszko...

12/11/2025

Gratulacje!

12/11/2025

News from Poland

The Polish musical world is paying tribute this month to composer Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, who died 15 years ago, on November 12, 2010.

12/11/2025

Choinka, szopki, opłatki and podłaźniczka in the “Winter Traditions Around the World” exhibition
Friends of Polish Art (FPA) enthusiastically answered the call to participate in the “Winter Traditions Around the World” exhibition opening soon at the Port Huron Museum Carnegie Center.
The call from Emily Reitzel, Curator of Collections & Exhibits at the Museum, came to Berkley (where the FPA has its mailing address), via Ann Arbor and the Polish Cultural Fund - Ann Arbor, which directed Emily to FPA. Emily approached Ann Arbor Polonia, when she was unable to find a local partner willing to do the Polish part of the exhibit, and decided to seek out partners outside of St. Clair County.
On short notice FPA procured quite a collection of beautiful Polish ornaments, both impressive glass baubles (on lease from Carolyn Meleski and Mike Ostrowski), and traditional ornaments made of straw (from Chuck Pelshaw and Stella Szczesny), as well as “angel hair”, which is a very popular finishing element of Christmas trees in Poland, but not so much here.
All the elements used, except for the lights and the tree (provided by the Museum) came from Poland. Among them, figurines of people in Krakowiak attire, a Polish eagle, Polish flag, Lajkonik and the dragon of Kraków. There are some glass bauble mushrooms and angels on the tree too.
In the exhibition, there is also a small “podłaźniczka” decorated with garlands and straw ornaments, hanging from the ceiling (made available by Chuck Pelshaw). “Podlaźniczka” which is a small Christmas tree topper hanging upside down, is a distinguished and centuries-old predecessor of the Christmas tree as we know it, which came to Poland only in the 1800s.

Two beautiful Kraków-style nativity scenes (“szopki”), a plate with opłatki, and some information about szopki, Wigilia and Christmas in Poland, complete the Polish display. A smaller szopka was brought to the US from Kraków, while the large, very accomplished szopka was constructed here by the late Robert Flanagan. A monitor will be added to the exhibition, on which visitors will be able to watch two topic-related videos created by the Polish Weekly last year: “Hidden in a Szopka: Recent Polish History” and “People and their Passions: Charles Pelshaw talks about his passion for Polish folklore”.
The Port Huron Museum Carnegie Center occupies the building built in the exquisite Beaux-Arts style in 1904 for the Port Huron Public Library. “Winter Traditions Around the World” is the Museum’s newest seasonal exhibition. It is great that in addition to Greek, French, Mexican, German, Italian, Swedish, and other Christmas traditions, Polish Christmas traditions are also represented there.
Text and photos: Alina Klin

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

Today, November 11th, we celebrate Independence Day in Poland—a day that reminds us that a nation can be enslaved, but it can never be broken. After 123 years of partition, after decades of pain, division, and silent hope, Poland returned to the map of Europe.
Today, we do not merely commemorate a date—we honor a spirit. The spirit of those who fight, who taught forbidden history in whispers, who sang the national anthem behind closed doors. The spirit of those who believed, even when belief was dangerous.
We remember Piłsudski, yes—but also the nameless patriots. We recognize that independence is not just a political fact—it is a cultural heartbeat.
Freedom is not a trophy—it is a task. It asks of us vigilance, solidarity, and courage. And it asks us to pass it on.
In the United States, November 11 marks Veterans Day, a day to honor all U.S. military veterans—living and deceased—for their service and sacrifice. It originated as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I in 1918.
Graphics designed by Mietek Onislkiewicz, Polish Media Center.
Alicja

11/11/2025

Empire State Building in White & Red!
The Polish Consulate in New York announced the event. Robert Lewandowski symbolically switched on the lights.
This is a gesture of appreciation for Polish history and culture, as well as for the millions of Poles living in America. The Empire State Building will be illuminated in red and white for the first time on Independence Day.
Located in the heart of Manhattan, the Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Built in 1931, it was the world's tallest skyscraper for many years.
Robert Lewandowski dokonał symbolicznego zapalenia świateł. Wydarzenie zapowiedział konsulat RP w Nowym Jorku.
Jest to gest uznania dla polskiej historii i kultury, a także dla milionów Polaków mieszkających w Ameryce. Biało-czerwona iluminacja Empire State Building będzie pierwsza w historii z okazji Święta Niepodległości.
Alicja

11/11/2025

The Darek Klepko exhibit is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the Polish people who fought for their independence. It is a reminder of the importance of freedom and democracy.

My name is Dariusz Klepko, a proud member of the Polish American Numismatic Society, Friends of Polish Art, Polish Army Veterans Association of America, and other Polonia organizations. I am...