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Poland - Land of Green and Golden Fields
Welcome to Polish Culture! This is one location on the Internet where you can read some short articles, find some interesting and often-times little known links and overall learn a little bit more about in Polonia and modern-day Poland.
If you like what you find here tell your friends and rate this page; if you don't find what you are looking for or have ideas about what you'd like to see included here, write me a note in the Guestbook at the bottom of the page. Also, be sure to vote in the Poll below.
Thank you for reading! Now, a little bit about modern Poland and its history...
Tiny Poland, located in central Europe, maintians its position as a crossroads between easter and western European countries and cultures. While Poland's national origins date to the 10th century, its borders have repeatedly shifted due to a history of aggression and warfare initiated by neighboring countries. Border changes at the end of World War II (1945) could have overwhelmed the national mentality and culture.
However, today, tiny Poland, the 8th most desnely populated country in Europe, is a free democracy and looks to align itself with western countries. In 1999, Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and in 2004, the European Union (EU). Its citizens welcome prosperity while continuing to develop and enhance for visitors the country's history, folk culture, impressive architecture and beautiful natural landscape.
Polish Saints
An Evolving Calender of Feastdays and Celebrations
- Polish Culture Forum - Polish People & Polish History
- Polish People & Polish History - Features an ongoing discussion of Polish Saints
- St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr
- Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr
Memorial - April 11th
St. Stanislaus was born at Szczepanw, in the Diocese of Cracow, July 26, 1030. - Blessed Helen of Poland
- Blessed Jolenta (Yolanda or Helen) of Poland, also Helen of Hungary
June 12, (some sources say June 11,; others June 15) - St. Kunigunde
- Memorial Day - July 24
Sister to Blessed Jolenta of Poland - Blessed Kateri Tekawitha - Lily of the Mohawks
- July 14
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Why include a native North American woman among a list of Polish saints? Many Poles venerate Kateri Tekakwitha because they compare her spiritual struggles with their own.
Poland's Cities and Countryside in Pictures
Websites Available in a Variety of Languages
- Daniel Schultz the Younger
- Page about Daniel Schultz the Younger, the most important and famous Polish Baroque painter born in Gdansk about 1615. Paintings reflect the countryside as well as people of the Baroque period.
- Storks in Poland
- Storks in Poland. Photos, Videos and other Multimedia Goodies. A Multitude of Interesting Stork Facts.
- An Archive of Pictures of Poland
- An incredible archive of pictures of modern Poland. Some of these are of little known spots as well as the more typical tourist areas.
- Site dedicated to the black stork.
- The monitoring of the migration to Africa of the black stork. Includes tools to make it easier for you to follow this journey, with a lot of interactivity and useful information as possible.
- Jasna Góra - Sanktuarium -
- Sanctuary of the Mother of God at Jasna Góra (Bright/Shining Hill) at Czestochowa
Refred to as "Our Lady of Czestochowa"
The miraculous painting of Our Lady, Mother of God, is Jasna Góra's most valuable treasure. Jasna Góra is now Poland's most famous Mary shrine among the many others throughout Poland.
Many beautiful pictures on this site including an opportunity to enlarge a full-color photo of this marvelous icon.
More Favorite Books about Polish History
- Amazon.com: God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 1: Norman Davies: Books
- Amazon.com: God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 1: Norman Davies: Books
- Amazon.com: God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 2: Norman Davies: Books
- Amazon.com: God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 2: Norman Davies: Books
My Favorite Books about Poland.
Mostly History!
Vote on my favorites and add your own, if you like. Just follow the instructions.
Books About Traveling to America
Fiction
A journey to Boston
One of my favorites by a well-know author who was actually writing about her neighbors in the Pioneer Valley of western Mssachusetts. Very poignant story; rich in description.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/09/2009) 
A Coal Miner's Bride: the Diary of Anetka Kaminska, Latimer, Pennsylvania 1896 (Dear America Series)
A young adult book,, but interesting nonetheless, about a young girl who comes to America because her father arranged a marriage for her. Locaion in the U.S. is where a good majority of Polish people settled in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/09/2009)
Jadwiga's Crossing: a story of the Great Migration
A fictional account about a young Polish couple emmigrating from Poland to upper New York state around the turn of the 19th century. The story, based on contemporary letters and records of a smilar couple, was begun by Aloysius A. Lutz and then completed by his son, Richard J. Lutz. This is a descriptive and accurate tale. The only thing missing is the smell of steerage.
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/09/2009)
Favorite Sites about Poland and All Things Polish.
Vote on my favorites and add your own if you'd like.
Polish Culture Site - Home
An interactive Forum with approximately 150 partic more...1 point
Welcome to the Polish American Journal
English language newspaper dedicated to the preser more...1 point
Polish Culture Site - PolishSite - Polish Site by Jaga and Nancy
This Polish Culture Site is the "rock& more...1 point
Polish Center for Discovery and Learning at Elms College
Resource for the study of the culture and history more...1 point
Ask the Ambassador: U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe
Ask the Ambassador: U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Vic more...1 point
Polish culture
The website www.culture.pl, managed by Adam Mickie more...1 point
Culture at Poland.com - Literature, Poetry, Music, Film, Thatre ...
Culture at Poland.com - Literature, Poetry, Music, more...1 point
Poland : Weather Underground
0 points
Polish Hussar Supply Plus
A Store Dedicated To East European Reenacting Need more...0 points
Polish Reenactors and Living History Forum
An online forum for any and all interested in Poli more...0 points
Polish Culture in Photography
Digital Images Made During Trips to Poland - Summers, 2005 & 2006
Some symbolic images of modern Poland found within my photographic images may be found at: Webshots.com and Squidoo Lens: Polish Culture in My Photography.They include:
- Green and gold backgrounds represent Poland or Polanie, the Land of Fields / Living on the Field.
- Our Lady of Czestochowa, Maximillian Kolbe, Pope John II, amber rosaries symbolize ties with and tradtions of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Amber also represents a continuing source of commerce from prehistory to current times.
- Solidarity represents the establishment of the first Autonomous Trades Unions and the official end to the Communist-dominated Polish People's Republic more than a quarter century ago.
- Crocheted lace and pottery signify folk crafts as well as expanding international markets. They also represent the beautiful and tough women who have kept these crafts alive.
Little Known Warsaw
- The Warsaw UpRising
- Here is some agonizing history about the major Polish uprisings started in Warsaw:
The Kosciuszko`s Insurection -1794
The November Uprising -1830/31
The January Uprising - 1863
And the one in 1944.
Feelings run strongly about the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Some of these feelings are expressed at this Forum.
Wiegela: The Polish Christmas Eve
Links to more information about Polish Christmas Eve (Wiegelia / Wigilia)1. Christmas in Poland - Christmas Eve (Wigilia)
2. Food during Christmas Eve (Wigilia)
3. Polish Food, Recipes & Stores In Poland
Reader Feedback
Cercis wrote...
in reply to HistoryHussar
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
Mitchener's book is relatively accurate. My favorite part is about preparing food for a party and how every single scrap is used.
Posted September 21, 2009
HistoryHussar wrote...
Thanks, Cercis, for listing many sources of info on Polish culture and history. I once read Mitchner's book called Poland and don't know how accurate it is but it certainly gave me reason to admire the long history and resilient spirit of the Polish people. One day I will visit Poland.
Posted July 15, 2009
Cercis wrote...
in reply to LaurieBeth
Hi Laura Beth,
Thanks for the feedback and the lensroll on your Italian-American lens.
Best for the holidays, Cercis (aka Georgene)
Posted December 21, 2008
LaurieBeth wrote...
Hey, great job! Five stars and a lensroll on my Italian-American Culture lens. Happy Holidays! <3
Posted December 20, 2008
Spiritus wrote...
Love your lens my friend !
PS Pierogi Ruskie are my favourite !!
travel guide to Poland
Posted July 01, 2008
by Cercis
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