Author Archives: lkonieczny

Cursed Soldiers: “żołnierze wyklęci”

Posted on 1 March 2019 by lkonieczny

Today is the Polish National Day of the Memory of the Cursed Soldiers, or Damned Soldiers: in Polish, the żołnierze wyklęci. But what does that mean, and what’s it all about. After the end of World War 2, when Poland … Continue reading →

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Sto lat, Polsko!

Posted on 11 November 2018 by lkonieczny

Today all over Poland–and many other countries–there is much celebrating as Poland celebrated their return to the map with the formation of the second Polish republic with the signing of the Armistice that ended the Great War (World War I) … Continue reading →

Posted in history, History of Poland, My love of Poland | Leave a comment

Where it began, 01 Sept 1939

Posted on 1 September 2018 by lkonieczny

Westerplatte. That’s where the German/Nazi invasion of Poland–and the start of World War 2–began on September the 1st, 1939. I was there. No, not at the beginning of World War 2–I was at Westerplatte on September 1, 2010, joining with … Continue reading →

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Kotwica and the Warsaw Uprising

Posted on 1 August 2018 by lkonieczny

What is “kotwica?” It is the Polish word for “anchor,” but it has a lot more meaning in Polish history–the kotwica was a World War II emblem of the Polish Underground State and the Armia Krajowa (the Home Army, or … Continue reading →

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Getting in touch with my Ruthenian/Ukrainian Roots

Posted on 21 May 2018 by lkonieczny

Yes, I have a great love of Poland. And yes, I consider myself Polish by nationality. But, I am also part Ruthenian/Ukrainian. And that is not so unusual. You see, Poland was a very welcoming and open country, and very … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011 Poland Trip, culture, genealogy, My Polish Family, Ruthenian/Ukrainian | Leave a comment

Moja Miłość do Kolęd — My love of Polish Carols

Posted on 4 January 2018 by lkonieczny

One of my earliest childhood memories of Christmas is going to midnight Mass (after our traditional Christmas Eve dinner–Wigilia) and hearing the choir at my grandparent’s decidedly Polish Catholic Church in rural Thorp, Wisconsin  (St. Hedwig’s) singing Polish Christmas Carols–kolędy. I … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Kolędy, Kolędy translations, music, My love of Poland | 3 Comments

Happy Birthday, Marie Skłdowska Curie

Posted on 7 November 2017 by lkonieczny

Today, November 7th, 2017, marks the 150th anniversary of one of the greats in the history of Physics and Chemistry, the birthday of Marie Skłodowska, born this day in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland (then a part of the Russian Empire … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous Poles, history, History of Poland | Leave a comment

Unconquered

Posted on 1 October 2017 by lkonieczny

Time for a short history lesson. September 1939, Germany invades Poland and World War II breaks out. Poland’s allies do not honor their alliances, and weeks later, the Soviet Union splits Poland with Germany. Poland has been conquered. Or has … Continue reading →

Posted in history, History of Poland, multimedia | Leave a comment

Sibiracy

Posted on 10 February 2017 by lkonieczny

Sibiracy is the plural of the Polish word Sibirak. In general, it refers to Poles who were “resettled” to Siberia. But in the context of today, February 10, it refers to the one or more million Poles who were actively … Continue reading →

Posted in history, History of Poland, Kresy | 1 Comment

To Fry, or Not to Fry…That is the Question!

Posted on 23 December 2016 by lkonieczny

My mother’s mother’s parents were both from a small village in what was then Galicia, later Poland between the World Wars, and is now Ukraine. My Great-Grandfather was Polish, and my Great-Grandmother was Ruthenian. Since my earliest childhood memories, we.ve … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, food, Kresy, My Polish Family | 5 Comments