Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński played an extremely important role in the history of Poland. His Primate’s ministry (1948–1981) fell entirely during the period of communist dictatorship. The Primate not only secured the survival of the Church, but also contributed to the growth of its public authority, and the formation of opposition attitudes towards the undemocratic power….
With the end of Communism in Poland, a new era in Polish-Israeli relations began. The first element of change was seen in May 1990 with the beginning of the joint operation “Bridge” which established a humanitarian corridor for Jews emigrating from the Soviet Union. All thanks to the bold decision of Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki,…
The universal tendency to reproduce the model created by the Sun King – also discernible in seats of democratic power, the palaces of the mighty, or the individual microcosms imitating the Bourbon inheritance – cannot obscure the long-standing fascination of the Sarmatian world with Versailles. In many cases, we are dealing with the comprehensive assimilation…
The Cossack Hetman who, with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, went on a series of sorties to Moscow, died of wounds at Chocim; and at the Wawel Royal Castle there lies a sword for him from King Władysław (“Elbow-high”). Who could be a better patron of the Polish-Ukrainian brotherhood of arms for the authors of commemorative speeches?…
Poland reborn after the First World War faced a host of challenges. In particular, the issue of the nature of the constitution provoked a heated debate in the country. The overriding aim of the Act was not only to consolidate the state after the years of partition, but also to create a solid foundation for…
The essay by President of Russia Vladimir Putin has three dimensions. First, it is a lecture on Russian historical policy addressed to foreign countries. Secondly, it is an attempt to re-interpret the past (i.e. the Second World War) an attempt made by a politician acting as a historian. Thirdly, there is a political layer in…
