Poland

Christmas Eve in Poland is more than just dinner: fasting, the wafer, the first star, an empty plate, and twelve dishes all combine to create a ritual that blends faith, ancient superstitions, and familial tenderness. Where do these customs come from, how do they differ from region to region, and why do they taste even more intense in exile?

For those who yearned for freedom, the communist regime had batons, tear gas, and internment centers. However, it failed to crush the Poles' spirit of freedom.

The Polish diaspora possesses billions of dollars in capital, knowledge, and influence, which Poland has failed to capitalize on for years. A lack of stable institutions, trust, and professional tools block the inflow of investment. The presented strategy demonstrates how to transform the diaspora into a viable partner in the country's development.

In a pre-release interview, Professor Andrzej Nowak reminds us that without understanding the past, it's impossible to grasp contemporary crises and challenges. The seventh volume of History of Poland is a riveting story about the era of John III Sobieski and the Saxon times – about the falls, illusions, and the spiritual strength of a nation that, despite everything, managed to rise again.

The Polish diaspora, numbering over 20 million people, represents a huge, yet currently marginalized, potential for the state. Why did the Polish diaspora disappear from public debate after 1989, and what systemic barriers block its real participation in Poland's politics, economy, and diplomacy?

Prof. Andrzej Nowak, who has completed the 7th volume of the monumental "History of Poland" series, in the following recording shares his reflections on the times described in the part titled "Falling and Rising."

The fate of Tadeusz Katelbach demonstrates that a nation lives on in its people, not in documents. Born in enslaved Poland, he fought for its freedom his entire life—as a soldier, activist, diplomat, and émigré journalist. His biography is a testament to his unwavering patriotism.

Reports of the supposed "exceptional effectiveness" of Polish in artificial intelligence tests have sparked both widespread enthusiasm and consternation. Does Polish truly stand out from other languages, or is this just media overrepresentation? It's worth sorting out the facts, separating emotions from data, and looking at the matter from a broader perspective.

In light of Paderewski's historic words and the challenges of today, the Polish American Congress faces the need for profound modernization and a re-establishment of its role. The presented strategy points the way for renewal—from digitalization and professionalization to new leadership and effective representation of the interests of the Polish community in the United States.

November 11th is a reminder that Polish independence was born through the efforts of many generations – at home and abroad. It is a story of memory, sacrifice, and pride, of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and of the Polish diaspora, which from America to Europe, supported the rebirth of a free Poland.

Is it really a "pity" that Sobieski saved Vienna? Professor Andrzej Nowak decisively dismisses such ahistorical fantasies and presents John III as a king who wisely defended the interests of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The new, seventh volume of "History of Poland" reveals his true role—the last great splendor of our history.