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communism

Revolt, power and Polish communists after 1945

Warsaw, 15 December 1948. The 1st Congress of the Polish United Workers Party (PZPR). President Bolesław Bierut speaking. /PAP

In this episode of The Debrief, John Beauchamp speaks to Dr Łukasz Bertram, a researcher who has just published a book on the history of Polish communists.

Cult film ‘Interrogation’ which was banned during communism to get new lease of life with glossy rerelease

Production company “Second Run” which specialises in releasing ‘lost gems of world cinema’ says it intends to rerelease Ryszard Bugajski’s 1982 film ‘Interrogation’ about life during Stalinism with new and improved English subtitles and 2K restoration by Poland’s WFDiF.

Rare PRL-era 10-groszy coin sells for staggering PLN 33,000

The key to the coin's value is that it does not bear the tiny symbol of the Polish mint in Warsaw under the eagle’s right leg. The omission makes it a rarity among collectors.

The ‘April Fool’s orange movement’ that helped bring down communism

Sometimes cited as one of the inspirations behind Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, and often widely (and incorrectly) credited as being the root cause behind Wrocław’s recent epidemic of decorative gnomes, the legends that surround the Orange Alternative hide an extraordinary story of a group that played a defining role in the fall of the PRL.

Warsaw court grants compensation to son of war-hero Pilecki

The son of Captain Witold Pilecki, a Polish war hero who volunteered to be sent to Auschwitz but was later executed by Poland’s communist government, has been awarded PLN 1.5 million (EUR 320,000) for the harm suffered by his father.

Beautiful Christmas cards of yesteryear tell fascinating story of defiance to communist-era censorship

The beautiful cards depict what today we would consider fairly traditional seasonal scenes. But within the context of their times, depicting religious themes and symbols was revolutionary.

New app explores hidden secrets of Poland’s underground printing presses

Titled Szybowcowa ’87, the app which is part of the IPN’s push to make history more understandable and accessible to younger generations allows users to step back in time and explore a printing house hidden inside an apartment on Wrocław’s Szybowcowa street.

Son of Polish WWII hero sues for EUR 5.5 mln compensation

The son of war hero Witold Pilecki has brought a legal case against the State Treasury for PLN 26 million (EUR 5.53 million) for the harm his father suffered under communism.

Polish PM compares Poland's fight against communism with Ukraine war

Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, has compared Ukraine’s fight for independence to the confrontation in 1980 between Polish workers and Poland’s then communist government.

‘Cursed soldier’ hero finally laid to rest after long-lost remains found in unmarked grave

Murdered by communists in Lublin Castle in 1949, the whereabouts of Henryk Wieliczko’s body remained unknown for six decades.

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They say love don't come easy - but it does in Bielsko-Biała!

I must apologise if this column is not the academic or historical discourse that this city so richly deserves, but it is the Bielsko-Biała that revealed itself to me – it’s also the Bielsko-Biała that I fell desperately in love with. I’m pretty sure, you will as well.

The first report:

  • Poland's EU cohesion funds stalled until conditions met says commissioner
  • Poland's Nato allies concerned about Polish visa scandal says Tusk
  • Polish official criticises Canada for honouring Ukrainian with Nazi links
  • Poland imposes vehicle checks at border with Slovakia
  • Polish defence minister signs offset deal with Lockheed Martin

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Warsaw’s secret war against Moscow’s spies: Poland’s intelligence services have gone into overdrive to combat Putin’s covert assault

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The Debrief
Revolt, power and Polish communists after 1945
Webber's World
They say love don't come easy - but it does in Bielsko-Biała!
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