Much to celebrate in the Polish-American community!
On February 13, 2023, the Polish National Alliance hosted representatives from Poland to celebrate The Year of Copernicus (Rok Kopernikowski). Representatives from the Government of Poland and the Wspólnota Polska Association were present.
Last month, President Spula met with representatives in Poland. They discussed joint initiatives between the Polish-American community and the Government of Poland. Some of these initiatives are promoting Polish education abroad and a shared Polish cultural identity. The newly-lauched Copernicus Project (“Z Kopernikiem przez swiat”) aims to accomplish this. The project’s goal is to inspire young Poles worldwide to achieve their educational ambitions, just as Nicolaus Copernicus did. The Polish government developed this project in honor of Copernicus’s 550th birthday.
At the breakfast, PNA celebrated its 143rd anniversary. Also, PNA recognized the 70th anniversary of the Polish Teachers Association in America and the 30th anniversary of Wspólnota Polska Association.
The PNA was honored to host high-ranking officials from Poland. These individuals included Tomasz Rzymkowski, Deputy Education Minister; Professor Dariusz Dudek, Advisor to the President of Poland and representing First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda; Jacek Wisniowski, Mayor of Lidzbark Warminski; Piotr Semeniuk, Deputy Education Minister; Justyna Kralisz, Director of Polish Education Abroad Association; Dariusz Bonislawski, President of the Wspólnota Polska Association; and Krzysztof Przemieniecki, International Advisor in the Ministry of Education. Topics of discussion included inviting young Poles in the U.S. to study in Poland, the extensive involvement of American Polonia in helping Polish affairs, and building stronger U.S.-Poland ties.
Later, Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot arrived at the PNA. Mayor Lightfoot stated that Polonia in Chicago is “the most engaged and thoughtful Polish community in the country.” She appreciated the dedication of Polish Americans in Chicago in keeping their traditions alive and teaching the Polish language, history, and culture to younger generations.
Photos by Andrzej Baraniak, Dziennik Związkowy
