Month: May 2025

Fahrenheit 451

Published in 1953, “Fahrenheit 451” was the first novel published by Ray Bradbury. “Fahrenheit 451” is set in a dystopian future where books are banned and firemen burn them. The protagonist, Guy Montag, starts questioning this society’s norms, realizing the value of literature and free thought. Quite relevant these days.

Ja się nie przyzwyczaję, Wojciech Młynarski

Dla poprawy humorów, wiersz a raczej piosenka Wojciecha Młynarskiego.

Co rano, proszę pań, proszę panów
Nowych problemów spotykam gąszcz
I tyle moich pragnień i planów
Ambiwalencja przenika wciąż
W miejskiego ranka smutnej szarości
W miejskiego ranka leciutkiej mgle
Tyle ogarnia mnie wątpliwości
Ale na pewno wiem jedno, że

Should the news be neutral

My last op-ed caused quite a stir. After years of no comments, no emails, and no thank-yous, I received several emails complementing our new newsletter and a few criticizing my opinion. Some responses were quite vile and aggressive.

This calls for an explanation and a follow-up.

Keep reading→

Inmates are running the Asylum

The results of the first round of the presidential elections in Poland are in. I promised to remain neutral and avoid politics, but I cannot stay silent. When I see that 6% (12% in US, 17% in Canada) of Poles are voting for a fascist who openly calls for restoring the death penalty, promises to imprison women, reduce the congress and senate, increase presidential power, and restore a sovereign Poland (think North Korea) all in the name of God, I had to say something. Additionally, 51% voted for the extreme right that wants Poland to exit the EU.

Keep reading→

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” depicts a dystopian society where technology and conditioning control every aspect of human life. People are genetically engineered, socially conditioned, and kept passive with a drug called soma. The novel explores themes of freedom, individuality, and the cost of technological progress.

Wiosna wiosna ach to Ty! Springtime Springtime yes it’s You!

Like in the Marek Grechuta song, we love spring with its warmer breeze, new leaves and colorful flowers. After long winter hibernation we feel new energy and are ready to get rid of old stuff. We pack warm winter coats, clean the house and garden. We feel tireless, run the stairs up and down, carry heavy loads, endlessly bend our backs – just overuse our bodies in every possible way. The next day we wake up sore, weak and stiff. And here comes the rescue! A wonderful homeopathic remedy - Rhus toxicodendron, Rhus tox for shorter.

Whether or not to vote is the question this week

Last year, we had a presidential election in the US, and this week, Polish citizens will vote for their president. While it’s not my place to tell you whether to vote or which candidate to choose, I hope you will consider voting for someone who represents the entire country, not just their party. Now more than ever, we need a president who prioritizes the nation over party interests and personal gain. We need a leader with empathy, someone who unites rather than divides, and who promotes compromise instead of hatred.

See you at the polls on Saturday.

Gulag Archipelago

Solzhenitsyn’s Gulag Archipelago is a monumental work that exposes the brutal realities of the Soviet labor camps. Through harrowing personal accounts and meticulous research, he illuminates the oppressive system that crushed countless lives. It’s a compelling and essential read that continues to resonate.

Hanna Krall, “Sublokatorka”

Klub książki zaprasza wszystkich zainteresowanych do udziału w spotkaniu. Książka 40 lat temu zatrzymana przez cenzurę, teraz nie mniej aktualna niż wtedy. Historia dwóch dziewczynek, które łączył wiek – różnił los. Opowieść o ciemności i jasności. Sami wybieramy czerń, czy jesteśmy na nią skazani? Autorka prowadzi grę z czytelnikiem, myli

Syrena Seattle at the 2025 Northwest Folklife

Our Syrena Seattle Dance Group will proudly represent Polish Traditional Folk Dance and Song at the Northwest Folklife at the Seattle Center. Let’s cheer them up together on Saturday, May 24th @ 6 pm! The performance will take place on an Open Air Dance Stage near by International Fountain, check the map

Seattle Polish Film Festival Poster Competition

Competition is open to all artists. Posters may be created in any media, but must be submitted electronically. Entries will be judged on their originality and artistic merit. The poster design should capture the essence of Polish/American cinema.

Submissions are now being accepted until 7/2/2025 for the 33rd Annual Seattle Polish Film Festival Poster. Be creative. Have fun. Win $250.

Whispers to a Ladybug: A Tale of Bread

„Biedroneczko leć do nieba, przynieś mi kawałek chleba”
As a child, I whispered this gentle, magical plea to a ladybug whenever I saw one. I counted dots on the red wings to check my luck – seven were the most desired number. If possible, I carefully lifted boża krówka (“God’s little cow”) onto my hand with a blade of grass or a leaf, marveling at the soft tickle of her tiny feet on my palm. I observed her, and when the moment felt right, I raised my hand and blew lightly to encourage her to fly to heaven and bring me a piece of bread.

Crunchy, Tangy, Perfect—Let’s Talk Polish Rye Bread!

Like many Polish immigrants, I have a deep fondness for Polish bread. Each time I move to a new location, my first mission is to find stores that carry rye bread. There’s nothing quite like a fresh, warm loaf of rye bread. American wheat bread often feels bland, lacking flavor and filled with unnecessary additives. Polish rye bread, by contrast, is made simply from whole rye flour and water, offering an incredible taste and maintaining its freshness for many days.

After years living in Seattle, I have yet to find good rye bread, which led me to start baking it myself. In this issue, I will share a recipe and some stories about Polish rye sourdough bread. If you have a better recipe or know a place that makes and sells quality bread, please let us know.

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Tajemnica bułeczek Bollego

„Tajemnica bułeczek Bollego” i inne historie z cyklu „Tappi i przyjaciele” – czyli o tym, jak dobre bułeczki mogą zmienić świat na lepsze

Traditional Polish Rye Sourdough Bread: A Taste of Heritage

Few things evoke the essence of Polish home cooking like the rich aroma of freshly baked rye sourdough bread, or chleb żytni na zakwasie. This dense, tangy bread has nourished generations, carrying with it the deep flavors of tradition, patience, and natural fermentation. Unlike modern yeast-based breads, this one requires time, a living starter, and a touch of rustic spirit.