The 9th Polish History Conference and a summary of community efforts of The Polish Centre for Aid for Ukraine Humanitarian Project took place in Lemington Spa on 22 May 2023.
The conference was dedicated to the "Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom" exhibition, as a next step of the flagship project launched by the Institute of National Remembrance to commemorate the military effort of Gen. Anders’ Army and the fate of civilians evacuated from the USSR. This undertaking, initiated by the President of the IPN Karol Nawrocki, Ph.D., planned for the years 2022–2025, envisages, among others, the presentation of a dedicated exhibition in all countries traversed by the Army led by Gen. Anders together with the Poles evacuated from the USSR.
The project shows the contribution, determination and commitment of Poles in the fight to free the world from totalitarianism. Its aim is the international promotion of Polish history, the fate of the Polish diaspora and the bravery of the Polish soldiers fighting for freedom in the name of respect for human
dignity. The title of the project refers to the many years of Odysseus’ journey to Ithaca after the victorious Trojan War. The popularization of the subject of the journey and the combat trail of the army led by Gen. Anders in the Middle East and the Western Front as well as the fate of civilians who left the territory of the USSR together with the Army is one of the key tasks of the Institute of National Remembrance.
Guest Speakers:
Paul Latawski, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Before coming to RMAS he lectured at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES), University of London where he was also an Honorary Visiting Fellow. He was also an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (RUSI), London. In 2012 he was made a Senior Research Fellow in Modern War Studies with the Humanities Research Institute, University of Buckingham. He completed his Ph.D. at Indiana University USA specialising in Central and Eastern Europe with an emphasis on modern Poland. His research includes the operational history of the Polish Armed Forces in the West (1939- 45), Polish resistance to occupation (1939-45) and reform of the Polish Armed Forces since 1989.
Bogusław Wójcik, Ph.D., is a chief specialist at the IPN Historical Research Office, Rzeszów Branch, and a lecturer at the Małopolska University of Economics in Tarnów. He earned a doctorate in the philosophy of science at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow, where he also taught until 2007. During the 1998/1999 academic year, he was a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. His areas of interest include philosophy, bioethics and the history of ideas. He has published a number of research papers on illegal youth organizations and religious politics in the Polish People's Republic. One of his recent research projects deals with the impact of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Communism, a British organization also known as Keston College, on changing Western societies; perceptions of religious freedom.
***
The Polish Centre in Leamington Spa is a charitable organization that was established in 1961. The organization was founded to support and serve the Polish community in the area of Leamington Spa. The centre provides a range of services and activities for the local community, including cultural and educational events, language classes, advice and support on a range of issues, as well as a hub for social gatherings. The Center's mission is to promote Polish culture, history, and traditions, and to foster a sense of community among wider community. Over the years, the Polish Centre in Leamington Spa has become a well-established and respected charity, known for its work in promoting Polish culture and supporting the needs of most vulnerable members of diverse local community.
The next Polish History Conference will take place on Sunday, 22 October at 3pm.