Poland

Religious practices related to Holy Week, as well as commonly accepted behaviors and traditions, show people paths leading to inner rebirth. The phenomenon of experiencing these special days in Poland is that we often combine seriousness and concentration with joyful and dynamic anticipation of Easter.

Exactly five centuries ago, on April 10, 1525, in the very heart of Krakow, an act took place that was not only symbolic, but also strategic. A scene took place there, which in the eyes of those at the time could be considered a symbolic end to the long armed conflict waged by the Kingdom of Poland with the Teutonic Order.

While another installment of the Polish-Polish war is taking place in Poland's most important legislative institution — the Polish Sejm — and politicians' private grudges dominate the debate on Polish agency and security, the withdrawal of American troops from Polish territory is taking place quietly, without much fanfare.

April 10, 2025 marks 500 years since Albert of Hohenzollern, the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Order and the first secular prince of the Prussian state, paid homage to the Polish King Sigismund I the Old.

The Congress of Gniezno, held in 1000, was a key political and religious event in Polish history. Emperor Otto III visited the tomb of St. Adalbert in Gniezno and met with Bolesław the Brave. During the congress, Poland's independence was symbolically recognized, and the metropolis of Gniezno was established.

Since 1989, Poland has been one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. The success of Poles is due to specific solutions, innovative technologies and people. This is the result of research conducted by the “We Did It In Poland” campaign.

On April 2, 2005, at 9:37 p.m., Pope John Paul II died at the age of 84. Thus ended the pontificate of the 264th Pope, the successor of St. Peter, who held his office for 26 years.

The Silent Unseen (pol. Cichociemni) were the elite of the Polish Armed Forces, designated for special tasks. They were among the best trained soldiers in the ranks of the Allies during World War II.

Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and activist of the Polish minority in Belarus, was arrested four years ago and sentenced to eight years in 2023 for allegedly "inciting hatred". On the 4th anniversary of the journalist's arrest, the largest Polish media are reminding us of him.

This year marks 203 years since the birth (8 or 23 March 1822) of Ignacy Łukasiewicz. He is an exemplary inventor and social activist. Those who know him associate him with the invention of the kerosene lamp. However, he is a much more complex and interesting figure. And curiously, in his area he was known for something completely different.

Tamara Łempicka - a painter born in Warsaw, is one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century. Despite living and working abroad, she felt Polish until the end of her days and was able to express her emotions only in Polish. March 18 marks the 45th anniversary of her death.