Dear Members and Friends,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I introduce the latest issue of our “Good News” magazine. As I sit here reflecting on the incredible journey of the American Institute of Polish Culture, I am filled with both joy and humility.
Can you believe it has been over 50 years since I established this Institute? Five decades of promoting and sharing the rich heritage of Poland with the world. It has been an absolute privilege, and I am honored to have embarked on this voyage with all of you by my side.
Throughout these years at our events we have been graced by the presence of distinguished guests, renowned personalities, and a multitude of impactful programs that have enriched our mission. Together, we have celebrated the beauty and resilience of Polish culture, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved.
In this particular issue of “Good News,” I am compelled to draw your attention to a somber anniversary. It was 84 years ago, when I was just a little girl that World War II erupted, with Poland bearing the brunt of Germany’s aggression. To this day, Poland, a nation that suffered immeasurable losses, has not received the compensation it so desperately deserves for war crimes from Germany.
I earnestly appeal to all those who remember the atrocities of that time to join us in advocating for reparations from Germany. For the families who lost loved ones or endured the horrors of war, it is high time to let the world know that Poland’s sacrifices were not properly acknowledged and compensated. Soon there will be no war survivors, no witnesses to this horror. Please read the articles written by the eminent Professor Wojciech Roszkowski and Mr. Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Secretary of the State, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for the Estimation of Compensation Due to Poland from Germany for Damage Caused During World War II, on pages 12 and 18 that shed light on this pressing issue.
To further highlight the importance of this matter, please take a look at the photographs placed with those articles. During the war that spanned years 1939-1945, Warsaw was turned into rubble, where over 85 % of the city was completely obliterated. This is a visual reminder of the physical destruction and suffering of Polish citizens. It is also a reminder of the indestructible spirit of Poland, of the strength and perseverance of the Polish nation that even in most difficult and dramatic situations does not give up, does not surrender and thus, does not perish.
In this issue of our annual magazine, you will also find a wealth of articles about our ongoing activities, profiles of famous Polish individuals and contributions from our talented scholarship recipients.
I encourage you to delve into these pages and immerse yourself in the diverse programs of our Institute’s work.
To our members, donors, and friends, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your unwavering support has helped us succeed, and I am inspired by your commitment to our mission. Please continue to be generous; we need your financial support for the educational and cultural programming and your presence at our various events.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to Beata Paszyc, our Executive Director and Honorary Vice Consul of Poland, for her remarkable commitment, professionalism paired with enthusiasm, loyalty and creativity, for the past 24 years.
As you go through the pages of this magazine, I wish you joy in reading, and a renewed sense of purpose in supporting the mission of the American Institute of Polish Culture.
Thank you for being an integral part of the Institute, and here’s to the next 50 years of promoting the cultural richness of Poland to the world.
With warmest regards,
Blanka Rosenstiel, Founder and President
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland
