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.
„Tajemnica bułeczek Bollego” i inne historie z cyklu „Tappi i przyjaciele” – czyli o tym, jak dobre bułeczki mogą zmienić świat na lepsze
George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is a political allegory where farm animals overthrow their human owner, aiming for equality but end up under a more oppressive regime led by the pigs. It’s an allegory of the Russian Revolution, critiquing the corruption of power.
Z okazji Dnia Ziemi chciałabym zachęcić do przyjrzenia się bliżej dwóm niezwykłym tytułom autorstwa Piotra Sochy i Wojciecha Grajkowskiego – “Pszczoły” oraz “Drzewa”. To książki, które zachwycają nie tylko formą, ale i treścią – i to czytelników w każdym wieku. Wielkoformatowe, pięknie zilustrowane, pełne wiedzy i artystycznego uroku, są prawdziwym
Czesław Miłosz’s Issa Valley is a semi-autobiographical novel set in early 20th-century Poland, in a region historically part of Lithuania. It follows the life of Thomas Dilbin, a young boy living with his grandparents in a rural valley. The story captures his journey from childhood to adolescence, exploring themes of
Tadeusz Konwicki’s Minor Apocalypse (Mała Apokalipsa) is a sharp, darkly comedic novel set in communist Poland. It follows a writer’s surreal journey through a decaying Warsaw, exploring themes of political oppression, personal responsibility, and existential despair. Konwicki’s biting satire and vivid prose make it a compelling, thought-provoking read.
“The Career of Nikodem Dyzma” was written by Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz in 1931 as a critique of the political establishment at the time. The novel initially appeared in episodes in ABC magazine and quickly gained popularity. Despite parts of it being confiscated, the writer persevered and wrote a sequel. The book tells the story of an unemployed provincial who accidentally infiltrates high society. For a long time, the protagonist successfully plays the role of a worldly man, a specialist, and a frequenter of salons. He takes on high-ranking positions and receives state honors. He is eventually unmasked by the eccentric Żorż Ponimirski, who is considered insane. However, Dyzma remains unpunished, as interwar Poland, much like contemporary Poland, is a country where it is difficult to be discredited, and new Dyzmas emerge regularly.
“Gaja z gajówki” to już czterotomowa seria autorstwa Anny Włodarkiewicz o piegowatej, energicznej dziewczynce, która udowadnia, że życie z dala od ekranów – bez smartfona, gier komputerowych i telewizora – może być pełne pasji, przygód i prawdziwych odkryć. Książka napisana jest w formie pamiętnika, dzięki czemu czytelnicy z łatwością wchodzą w świat Gai – zaledwie kilkuletniej bohaterki, którą poznajemy tuż przed rozpoczęciem nauki w pierwszej klasie.
Recently, my son began a unit on dystopian literature at school and chose to read 1984 by George Orwell. When I mentioned that it is one of the most frequently banned and challenged books, his immediate reaction was: “Why?”
It was a great question—”Why was this book banned?”
But to answer that, we must first ask a broader question: “Why are books banned at all?”
Jak zainteresować dzieci takimi postaciami jak Chopin, Moniuszko czy Paderewski? To nie lada wyzwanie! Ale Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne i autorka Katarzyna Huzar-Czub znaleźli na to świetny sposób! Sięgając po książkę „Impro Frycek – czyli Chopin, jakiego nie znacie” dostajemy wesołą, rymowaną opowieść o Fryderyku Chopinie. Bez nudy, bez suchych dat,
The spring quarter at the University of Washington starts soon and people who are interested in Polish language and culture can find courses suitable for them. State residents aged 60+ are allowed to audit one or two university courses per quarter on a space-available basis through the UW Access Program.
The winter quarter at the University of Washington brings again courses that can draw people interested in Polish language and culture. As usual, seniors 60+ can register to listen to these courses for a token fee (in range of $10) through the UW Access Program. Notable courses include: More: Registration for the
Local artist Amanda Drewniak participates in the ShoreLake Arts Edible Book Festival contest. She has recreated the Polish-American children’s story of the White Stork Migration and their mission to find the Golden Anklet on Cookie Lollipops! Amanda is an artist and a whimsical filmmaker residing in Shoreline. Check her website!