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Julie Tobey

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Explore these wonderful places for the ultimate cultural experience.

PomnikJurija Gagarina w Poznaniu

PomnikJurija Gagarina w PoznaniuYuri Gagarin, the very first person in space and a Russian astronaut, is commemorated at this memorial. In between cinder pillars of the Winogrady area, the edifice appears as a stunning specimen of Contemporary architecture. Jerzy Sobociski, a Polish artist, designed the memorial, which rises 32 feet tall. The pyramid is made from concrete and features an artwork by Gagarin on top. As this jewel is situated at the border of Gagarin Park, near to the low – cost houses called as the Astronaut neighborhood, the landmass has a space motif. Jerzy Zasada, the chairman of the Polish National Workers’ Party, performed the presentation on November 7, 1977.

Pegasus Sculptures in Warsaw

Those Phoenix statues debuted in Warsaw in august of 2008. Actually planned to be a transitory display honouring the writings of Polish writer Zbigniew Herbert, they have become a presence of abundant of the city’s environment due to their appeal.The patterns were selected to show some respect to Herbert’s sculpture “Pegasus,” which was included of the Norwid-Herbert Aegean influences show.

 

Several of the five vibrant artworks is almost 11 feet tall and is illuminated so that tourists may view them in the dark. Beata Konarska and Pawel Konarski of the Warsaw creative team Konarska-Konarski created these.

Jan Matejko Statue

Where was Indeed A physical wall surrounding Kraków’s Old City, there is today a wonderful garden named Planty. This 5.2-acre green building was developed in the early 1800s as part of an urban concept known as “botanical garden,” demonstrating amazing foresight. There are 20 sculptures of prominent Polish people in the area, such as this one honouring Jan Matejko.

Jan Matejko was a nineteenth-century painter who spent much of his time in Kraków. His big oil-on-canvas drawings of past events in Poland are well-known. Rejtan (or The Fall of Poland), which depicts the revolt over Poland’s division in 1773, and UniaLubelska (Union of Lublin), which depicts the federation of Lublin, are two of Matejko’s most beautiful works.

Jan Matejko Statue

Matejko’s vivid and realistic style has been dubbed “antiques dealer realistic” by reviewers. Matejko’s corpus of work is largely cherished for calling attention to Polish culture and traditions, rather than being acclaimed as a pioneering artist. Many textbooks still utilise his drawings as pretty pictures to explain key moments.

Although Matejko’s works are frequently shown in art shows across the globe, spectators familiar with Polish past are generally unaware of the political backdrop. Paintings like Rejtan, on the other hand, sparked fierce debate amongst some of the Polish elite during Matejko’s time. His works were eventually suppressed by the Russian Empire, and Nazi Germany tried to erase them.

Although Polish artwork and mass entertainment have strong linkages to Western Europe, this would not imply that they have always been easily available. People who are truly motivated will presumably be able to discover completely in Polish culture today, with unlimited immigration and an unbroken stream of thinking helped by emerging science and communications.

The background

Poland's culturePolish culture nowadays is a blend of indigenous elements and constant conversation with the continent, though not the globe. It is as alive and adaptable just like any other civilization, yet it is unique in its unique position between East and West. The division, which makes things simpler and tougher for international receivers to reach, is gradually becoming quite noticeable, but even if it does appear public, it’s doesn’t necessary complicate matters or muddle national judgments.

Poland’s culture was always socially oriented; it was influenced by them and engaged with them about multiple levels. The problem of this interaction occurred in the 20th century, when the second world war and the time of communist frequently topped any such attempts. Participation in culture happenings provides an opportunity for expatriates previously residing in Poland to feel at ease. There are ever more options for this, English-friendly theatres, adaptations of Polish publications, galleries and art shows in a variety of genres.

The family framework


The social system revolves around the household.  But primarily, one’s responsibility is to one’s household. Large families are indeed the standard and make up the majority of a person’s network. Poles establish a boundary among themselves and outside world. Relatives and good friends, generally friends of the family, are naturally included in the close sanctum. Poles will engage with their close sanctum and strangers in various ways. The entourage is the business and social connection of an individual. The entourage may be counted on for guidance, job placement assistance, navigating government, and even apartments. Offering favours and employing connections to get stuff accomplished has an intricate culture.

Etiquette in Poland

In nature, introductions are restrained yet respectful.  A shaking of hands, proper eye connection, a grin, and the suitable welcome for the hour of the day will sufficient when welcoming somebody. ” Dziendobry” means “good morning/afternoon,” while “dobrywieczor” means “good evening.”Greet someone by their name and honorary name, “Pan” for a male and “Pani” for a lady. Never use personal names unless specifically requested. The transition from official to casual name is so significant that it has its own ceremony to commemorate the shift in rank and your acceptance into their ‘close sanctum.’ Your host will present you at weddings or other festivities, generally first with the ladies and then going on to the males.

To experience all in all its glory, you must make it a point to visit these places.

Neon Side Gallery

This brilliant neon lane is one of Wroclaw’s greatest secret jewels, tucked between three old buildings in the heart of downtown.The space is set out as an interior courtyard, with two pathways along either side. Old neon signs have been gathered from all around the nation and are displayed on the exterior of the structures. Regional graffiti artists have taken use of the empty wall surface in or around the signage to produce amazing pieces of art, the colours and topics of which complete the look the neon lights.

The atmosphere is ideal for what the banners signify, which makes this location even more fantastic. Because many of these are vintage communist-era signage, they have a mechanical sense to them.

Canaletto’s Room

Warsaw was hit particularly heavily during the Second World War, with nearly 90% of the city’s structures heavily damaged. Rather of modernising after the conflict like several other European towns did, the authorities opted to reconstruct the town in the style of its glory period in the late eighteenth century.

This recreation of old Warsaw was a method to pass on to subsequent generations the city’s vanished landmarks, albeit if they had been not the original ones. Surprisingly, many of the designs for the reconstructed Old Town were based on a set of works by Bernardo Bellotto, a Venetian urban landscape designer. The project was cancelled as Poland suffered the loss including both Prussia and Austria.

Canaletto's RoomThe Italian artist, often known as Canaletto, stayed in Warsaw in the 1790s and painted over 20 intricate pictures of the town. The artist employed the time lapse method to portray the metropolitan scene, in which he projected a picture onto his painting and then painted over it, culminating including almost technical perfection. As a result, his drawings were a critical resource in the rebuilding of the old town, often serving as the only information source about structures that had vanished entirely.

For so many decades, the Bellotto artworks were on exhibit in Warsaw’s National Museum, till they were eventually transported to a chamber in the restored Royal Castle in 1980, where they will be still standing today.

Till now, Bellotto’s realism has been challenged, and it’s now thought that he used his pictures to express himself artistically, frequently making structures and surroundings more intriguing than fact. Even though the town is mainly based on the decorations of an Italian artist, its rebuilding symbolises the Polish folk’s unwavering resolve and success in reclaiming their heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Warsaw’s Old Town and Royal Castle was put on the list as a accurate portrayal of relatively close rebuilding of a course of its history from the 13th to the mid – twentieth century.

Poland is well-known for its majestic castles, gorgeous cities, and diversified topography. However, Poland is also renowned for its exquisite traditional foods and drinks, which should not be missed when visiting the country. Most of its dishes are filling, so you won’t be hungry while wandering the streets of Poland. In addition, the country is well-known for its freshly brewed beer. If you visit Poland, these are some of the best traditional drinks and foods to enjoy.

Pierogi

If Japan is the Sushi capital of the world, Poland is unquestionably the Pierogi capital. Pierogi is one of the first traditional meals you should try if you visit Poland. These are dumplings with a sweet or savoury filling on the inside. They are boiled and are frequently pan-fried before eating. They can be served as an appetiser, main course, or dessert. Pierogi may appear small, but they are incredibly filling due to the savoury fillings of cheese, potato, mushroom, cabbage, and meat.

E. Wedel Hot Chocolate

E. Wedel Hot Chocolate

If you like chocolate, E. Wedel in Poland is where to go. With over 170 years of experience, they are one of Poland’s major chocolate and confectionery manufacturers. Their famed hot chocolate is something you should try if you visit. When you go into the shop, the rich aroma of the chocolate will make you feel wonderful. Their hot chocolate is out of this world, giving those who drink it a sensation of freshness and comfort.

Golabki

When talking about the traditional dishes in Poland, there must be some dishes with cabbage. Golabki is another classic Polish dish prepared with cabbage, a typical Polish ingredient. This dish consists of minced pork, onions, rice, mushrooms, and spices wrapped in boiled cabbage leaves. This dish is typically served with a thick tomato sauce and boiled potatoes on the side. Golabki is a special dish that you can mostly find in special events, festivals and wedding ceremonies.

Piwo

Piwo, or beer in ordinary parlance, is a typical Polish drink freshly brewed in the country. You can walk into any grocery shop or liquor store and find a wide variety of beer flavours. Polish beer is made to strict norms using only safe and natural components. Tyskie, ywiec, ubr, and Okocim are some well-known beers.

Pączki

Pączki

If you like doughnuts and want to experience some Polish delicacies, you should try Pączki, the Polish version of doughnuts. Pączki are classic Polish doughnuts composed of yeast dough, milk, eggs, and butter. These doughnuts are typically deep-fried and filled with various sweet fillings. Fillings can range from basic chocolate fillings to fresh fruity jam fillings. These deep friend sphere balls are then coated or glazed with powdered sugar to top it off.

GrzaniecGalicyjski

GrzaniecGalicyjski is Grzane Wino or Mulled Wine, widely available in Poland during the Christmas season. This wine has a distinct flavour since it is made with red wine, cinnamon, bitter orange, cloves, sugar, and other spices. You may also mix it with other drinks like vodka to make it stronger; it will taste just as nice.

Poland is highly rich in its performing arts and so in cinema. Its theatrical performances have captured people’s attention from all over the country, not just those from its own country. Poland’s history with the cinema business is as strong and profitable because of the yearly Film Festival in Krakow, specializing in documentary and short films and animated movies and is one of Europe’s steadiest contests in these mediums. But how did Poland get to this point? This article will delve into it.

How did cinema in Poland emerge?

The history of Poland may be traced back to 1894 when Kazimierz Prószyski invented the pleograph. It was a type of cinematic device developed just one year before the invention of the Lumiére brothers’ cinematograph. However, Antoni Fertner’s notable debut feature film, directed and starred in 1908, was released. This film, titled “Prussian Culture,” ran 8 minutes and shared the history of battling with Poles in Poland under Prussian authority.

Development of Polish cinema

When Poland achieved its freedom from Austrian, Prussian, and Russian domination, cinema began to grow. The films that were made focused primarily on past Polish events. A film like “Miracle at the Vistula,” produced in 1921, depicted the pivotal Polish war of 1920.

Poland’s movie career had only just begun when World War II broke out. During World War II, Nazi Germany conquered Poland, and the Polish movie business came to an end for a while. During this time, some civilians recorded military events and captured photographs eventually used in movies produced after the war.

Start of National Film School

In addition, the National Film School in Łódź was established in 1948. This event benefited Polish cinematography in developing, exploring, and displaying their skills in front of the world. Polish cinematography was flourishing following the establishment of the film school. Many film directors rose to prominence, including Andrzej Wajda, and Wojciech Jerzy Has.

Establishment of cartoons

Poland did not lag in terms of demonstrating its animation skills. In 1947, Cartoons Studio in Bielsko-Biała was established, giving rise to cartoon production. Cartoons like “Reksio” and “Bolek and Lolek” were famous among kids at the time and continue to be so in Poland and other countries.

Production of prominent films

During the 1960s, Poland created “Knights of the Teutonic Order,” one of the most famous Polish films depicting the tale of the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic struggle and the ultimate Fight of Grunwald 1410. On the other hand, the 1980s were also recognized as the age of ‘popular cinema,’ with films like “Vabank” and “Kiler.” Jerzy Machulski was a well-known film director at the time. Film representations of popular Polish texts such as “Quo Vadis,” “Pan Tadeusz,” “With Fire and Sword” by Henryk Sienkiewicz, and “The Revenge” by Aleksander Fredro were filmed in the twentieth century.

The state of Polish cinema in the 21st century

Polish cinema thrived in the twenty-first century, and the Polish Film Institute was founded in 2005 to assist Polish movie productions. Films like “Tricks,” “Katy,” “Rose,” and “Ida” became famous not just in Poland but all around the world.

Frédéric Chopin, a Polish musician, was the musical source of a new and productive mass movement that attempted to destroy Polish pride regardless of political restrictions. Music is prospering in Poland nowadays, and Polish musicians and composers are highly regarded.

Poland values its musical history, developed and preserved throughout the last millennia. Throughout the year, there are numerous festivals, music series, and competitions held in every part of Poland. In this article, thus we will see how relevant is music to the country and how it emerged.

Music in Poland

Poland is a country that values music. And anyone visiting Poland may experience it at some of the country’s best places. Arts, paintings, and music are all visible symbols of Poland’s values and traditions. Chopin’s statue in Warsaw, Poland’s largest city, is an emblem of Polish national music.

Poles enjoy both worldwide and indigenous Polish music. There are Polish punk, metal, rock, and others. Folk music is one style that has grown in popularity throughout the years. Bands like Brathanki and Golec Ouerkiestra popularised the contemporary twist on folk songs in the 1990s.

Journey of Polish music

The early roots of Polish music were set by the ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church, where the mediaeval age developed several hymns and tunes of unidentified composition. The Renaissance movement had indeed entered Poland by the early 16th century, where the Rorantists Capella, established by King Zygmunt Jagiellon, served a pivotal role in the development of music. The most notable composers of this era were Szamotulski and Gomóka.

Warsaw developed as a hub of musical growth and peaked in the 17th century. Mikołaj Zieleński was a renowned musician who produced more than a hundred vocal and musical compositions in Venice in 1611, and his reputation became well across Italy and Europe.

It also gave birth to two excellent composers, Jarzbski and Mielczewski, who contributed significantly to the progress of classical music in Poland, and where Jarzbski’s compositions approximated a full-fledged chromatic style.

When Poland struggled miserably to reclaim its freedom in the nineteenth century, the famous Polish composer, Fryderyk Chopin, emerged as a national emblem of rebellion and a wellspring of national heritage.

Though some of his music was deemed too challenging for the common music fan, his Polonaises and Mazurkas were popular with Polish crowds. People thought his pieces belonged to the world quality library of all pianists, serving as examples for future generations of performers.

Relevance of music in Poland

Chopin has had a significant impact on Polish music and musicians. Chopin is true and permanent strength, an influence that has a clear and impulsive effect on the development of Polish music. Chopin’s work is unmistakably Polish in the term’s purest and most refined sense in Poland’s musical history.

Chopin represents what is truly outstanding in Polish music and a genius who addressed the main difficulty of every talented artist with the flawless representation of deep and eternal human decency without sacrificing distinctive qualities or local distinctiveness via his unique skills.

Poland has a diverse range of visual arts forms. Whether it’s a painting or a handcrafted item, the polish will give you a sense of its distinct creativity and exhibit its artistic abilities. Aside from its ancient architecture and rich tradition and culture, Poland is unquestionably a bustling city; something few people believe Poland is capable of. As a result, in order to inform you about Polish art, this article will investigate its emergence as well as the prominent art styles that can be found there.

The emergence of the Polish art and artists

Poland surely produced innovative artists and their works in the nineteenth century. Though European culture inspired these works, Polish painters were able to add their own creative flair. Jan Matejko’s Kraków school of historical painting created colossal depictions of big incidents and traditions throughout Polish history. He is known as Poland’s most great artist or possibly the country’s “national painter.” During this time, realism and impressionism were popular art forms.

Artists of the Avant-Garde movement reflected numerous schools and aspects of life throughout the twentieth century. During this time period, various artists were influenced by various art movements and made art pieces based on the message they wished to convey. Cubism influenced Tadeusz Makowski, while Wadysaw Strzemiski and Henryk Staewski created in the Constructivist style. During this time, World War II also broke out, giving rise to postwar painters.

After 1989, contemporary art evolved, with more and more modern artists emerging. Many cities constructed museums of modern art, which house local and global collections, such as Krakow, Wroclaw, and Toru.

Types of arts

Poland has a rich collection of art to show their creativity to the world. Some of these arts are listed below:

Egg painting

Polish people enjoy displaying their artistic abilities on everyday items such as eggs. The concept of egg painting originated in ancient Mesopotamia. The tradition of painting eggs dates back to the 10th century. A week after Easter, Poles decorated and gave each other eggs to symbolise a better beginning and birth.

There are several methods for painting an egg, including natural dye and wax. A distinct type of innovation is also widespread, in which the shells are drilled using a CNC milling machine and then painted.

Handmade palms

Palm Sunday, which is celebrated worldwide a week before Easter, people usually make creative palms with their artistic skills. Originally made from willow trees to represent the longevity and rebirth of the soul, these palms were eventually embellished with ribbons, dried flowers, or coloured. The top of the willow is supposed to remain green, but the remainder is used to display various people’s creativity.

Wood carving

Wood carving is an extremely tough skill to master. And in Poland, expressing one’s artistic side through wood carving is particularly widespread. Whether furniture or wall elevations, each aspect allows the poles to express their creativity. The incisions form different styles, and different embellishments can also be seen on Górale’s clothing. These patterns are now used for clothing as well as tattoo motifs.

Under its massive amount and creative brilliance, Polish literature unquestionably earns a position among the best. Yet, it has stayed substantially less widespread than its Russian or French rivals, possibly due to the language gap. Polish literature is the country’s cultural history. The legacy of Polish literature is among the most enthralling in the world. Here are some details about it that will most likely give you a new perspective on Polish literature and inspire you to learn more about the rich heritage.

Is Mikolaj Rej really the Father of Polish Literature

Mikoaj Rej is known as the “Father of Polish Literature” because of being the first writer to publish entirely in Polish. However, few people realise that Jan Kochanowski (1530-1584) practically monotonously lifted Polish literature to unparalleled levels. With his writings, the Polish literary language found a mature and graceful form that is completely understandable even to modern readers after 400 years.

A feminist start to Polish literature

The first Polish phrase originated in the 13th century in the Latin-written Book of Henryków. “ut ia pobrusa, a ti poziwai,” the sentence said by a husband to his wife while she hand-grinds grains. This was then translated to “Let me grind, and you take a rest!” which was very rare to see when the females were oppressed. This passage begins a documented Polish speech legacy that transcends the customs of many of Poland’s allies.

Polish became a deadly language

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Polish writers created a highly unusual type of language known as Macaronic, a combination of Polish and Latin. This was essentially Latin with a heavy influence from Polish sentence construction and word formation.

However, this was widely acknowledged at the time. Nonetheless, it found its way into the royal court, schools, and political gatherings and also was regarded as Poles’ third language. But it was also the language that was on the verge of taking the lives of the Poles.

Polish Literature was not just written in the Polish language

Poland has served as a melting pot for various ethnic backgrounds for many years. As a result, Polish literature thrived in numerous languages, ranging from Latin to Hebrew, Yiddish, Ukrainian, and others. Esperanto was one of the last languages to grow and prosper in Poland, and its literature flourished.

Another, arguably more important, language was Yiddish, which evolved in Polish lands in the 16th century, with some of its most notable writers hailing from Poland. To confuse matters further, probably the most influential book of this ‘non-Polish language literature was published in French in the early nineteenth century named “The Manuscript Found in Saragossa by Jan Potocki.”

Polish Literature

People wrote Polish Literature of different nationality

Turning the lens back, you’ll notice that Polish literature has been authored by authors of all countries and cultural groupings over the years. Some of them, such as I.L. Peretz, Yanka Kupala, and Joseph Roth, began writing in Polish before moving toward becoming classic writers of literature in other dialects.

Poland is greatly affected by European traditions and hence, practises the most popular and frequent kind of theatre in the country, known as dramatic theatre. This theatre genre encompasses drama, opera, and other dance forms, all set in a fictional setting. Something that is highly valued in their country is that anyone who transitions from cinema to theatre or theatre to film is treated equally.

Polish theatres

All of the dramatic theatre acts are based on historical literature from Poland. But the list does not end there; there are other forms of theatre practised in the country, including puppetry. So, in this article, let us go deeper into the history and depth of Polish theatres.

The traditional practice in Polish theatres

The actors’ professionalism is an ongoing traditional practice that you can still witness in Polish theatres. This began with Helena Modrzejewska, a Polish actress who specialised in Shakespearean tragedy roles and whose acting abilities are now taught to aspiring theatre stars. The variety and genuine passion of so many people in Poland’s theatre sector provide the greatest proof that theatre was and continues to be an inspiring experience in Poland.

The famous theatres in Poland

Poland is known for producing amazing actors with extraordinary acting abilities who have wowed audiences in Europe and set a standard for the world. One such actress with Polish heritage is Mandy Gonzalez who played the role of Angelica Schuyler in the hit Broadway production of Hamilton from 2016 to 2022. Here is a list of two of the most famous theatres in Poland.

The National Starry Theatre

The Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theater in Krakow, named for famed Shakespearean actress Helena Modrzejewska and initially built in 1781, is one of Poland’s largest surviving theatres and a national cultural landmark. It is the only theatre in Europe that is a member of the Union of European Theatres. The theatre is widely considered Poland’s leading venue.

The National Theatre Warsaw

During the Polish Enlightenment, the National Theatre in Warsaw, Poland, was established by the then king Stanislaw August Poniatowski in 1765. This theatre is also one of the most well-known professional companies in the world.

The diversity of Polish theatre

Through successive invasions, divisions, and conflicts, Poland has been a launching pad for the limitations of national identity, political independence, and territorial coherence. Lines have been established and changed several times.

However, ‘Poland’ as a symbol is illuminating in that it allows us to raise a ton of questions about wide physical settings. As a result, we cannot restrict Polish theatre to the Polish language. Poland continues to be an intellectual instrument, allowing writers to explore and remark on its shifting and evolving historical speculations, regional formations, and cultural constructs.

Polish theatre

With the involvement of Jewish, German, and Lithuanian theatre creators, the impact of Italian, French, and Russian theatre belief systems, and Shakespeare’s vibrant visibility in Polish theatres

To sum it up

Poland has shown to be a fertile field for theatre producers due to its complicated background and exciting present. Indeed, a few of the world’s most prominent and most revolutionary Occidental artists emerged from Poland. As a result, Poland is a land that cannot be limited in terms of innovation.

Poland has had a significant impact on all aspects of life, including music, philosophy, literature, and science. The country is a constantly evolving historical site, with years of history associated with every corner and location in Poland. European regions heavily impacted Poland, and after the introduction of Catholicism in the country and the construction of Catholic churches, the country’s indigenous people were gradually Polonized. The Polish people are exceedingly cordial and inviting to anyone who comes to their country or home. To go deeper into their culture, let’s look at the nation’s common ideas and its historical background.

Celebration of All Souls Day

Though the feast is widely observed worldwide, with respect shown to all deceased souls, Poles observe it with zeal. The feast, also known as Zaduszki, is reported to be sorrowful every year on November 2nd, but the faith that Polish people celebrate the day is a wonderful sight to behold and feel. Poles have high regard for their faith, traditions, and rituals, worth learning about and studying further.

Their famous Polish Style Doughnuts

If you are a Catholic and want to taste all of Poland’s famous sweet delicacies, you must eat their famous Paczki, which are crunchy bits of pastry wrapped in sugar and are also known as angel wings. This is a well-known Polish ritual where people seize the opportunity to indulge in anything delicious before beginning a long period of abstinence.

Their famous Polish Style Doughnuts

A blessed Monday

The Polish celebrate wet Monday, a Christian ritual in which people throw water on one other. This is considered a blessing because water is one of the essential elements linked with Christianity. It is also believed that a girl who gets the most soaked in water while celebrating is likely to get married before anyone else.

Celebrating your wedding more than once

Do you intend to marry the love of your life more than once? In Poland, you can! Poland’s tradition is to hold a second wedding party, which teaches Poles about getting married more than once and reliving the event to rekindle the spark between the couples. This celebration is also known as Poprawiny, which translates to “restarting a wedding party.” Some people take this thought quite seriously and dwell on it for days.

The unique idea of hospitality at Christmas

People throughout the world are highly generous at Christmas, but the Poles go above and beyond. They follow a unique practice in which they leave an empty chair in their homes to accommodate any stranger who may visit them on an auspicious day. However, there are three major reasons behind this. One is a religious belief, according to which Poles leave it empty in commemoration of the deceased.

According to the Bible, Joseph and Mary went door to door unannounced, but no one sheltered them. As a result, Poles are constantly prepared for unexpected visitors. Finally, in 1863, the Poles went fishing with the Russian Army, and those caught were taken to Siberia. The Poles remain hopeful that they will return on the scheduled day.