Poles and Jews were forbidden to own cameras or take photographs throughout the occupation of Poland by Germany and Russia in World War 2. Despite the danger, the Polish Resistance established covert photographer training. The 63-day struggle for the city of Warsaw was documented by the Underground BIP and photographs were published with captions in secret newspapers and bulletins.
This exhibition introduces several of these Uprising photographers, including their lives, works and journal notes in English translation. It runs alongside the photography exhibition “Warsaw Uprising ‘44” which is part of the Auckland Festival of Photography.
On from 31 May – 11 June 2023 at the Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St in Howick, East Auckland.
Hours are Tue-Fri 10am-4pm & Sun 12-5pm. Closed Sat & Mon.
Museum entry is by donation. Group entry is by prior arrangement (small fee applies).
Ph 533 3530. Email: phtmuseum@outlook.com
Image: Photographer Sylwestra ‘Kris’ Braun hid rolls of film in the ruins of Warsaw, PHTM #752-1.
Warsaw Uprising ’44, Auckland Festival of Photography link:
Buried photographs documenting underground defiance against occupation survived destruction of the city and its inhabitants.
Part of Auckland Festival of Photography 2023 / theme – Resistance.
Held at Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick from 31 May – 11 June. Hours: Tue-Fri 10am-4pm and Sun 12-5pm. Entry is by donation and groups by prior booking (fee applies). Ph 533 3530. Email: phtmuseum@outlook.com
Comics were outlawed as a ‘demoralising Western influence’ from 1947-57 in Eastern Bloc Poland. Find out about the fight for publication freedom by graphic illustrators and authors as well as a survey of their works.
Part of East Auckland Art Trail 2023.
Held at the Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick.
Museum entry is by donation. Groups by prior booking (small fee). Ph 533 3530 or email phtmuseum@outlook.com
An educational presentation and activity for the school holidays. Learn about the creators, stories and history of Polish comics. Make comic character craft work to take home.
Part of East Auckland Art Trail 2023 and Polish Parliament Year of (in 2023).
For ages 5-adult. Held on 6th July from 10am-12pm at the Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick.
$10 per person, includes craft materials.
Ph 533 3530 or email phtmuseum@outlook.com to book.
Image Source: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/TytusRomekIAtomek
An educational presentation and activity for the school holidays.
Learn about the scientific work and discoveries of Copernicus in this 550th year of his birth anniversary.
Create a model of the heliocentric solar system to take home.
Part of East Auckland Art Trail 2023.
For ages 6-adult.
Ph 533 3530 or email phtmuseum@outlook.com to book.
An educational presentation and activity for the school holidays. Learn about the creators, stories and history of Polish comics. Make comic character craft work to take home.
Part of East Auckland Art Trail 2023 and Polish Parliament Year of (in 2023).
For ages 5-adult. Held on 12th July from 10am-12pm at the Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick.
$10 per person, includes craft materials.
Ph 533 3530 or email phtmuseum@outlook.com to book.
Image Source: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/TytusRomekIAtomek
“I want peace! I want my family to smile like before. I want to feel the safe sky and bright warm sun over my head. I want to go to school. I want to freely give joy and happiness with my violin playing”, Illariia, age 7, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
View moving testimonies of war from children. Polish children record their experiences during World War II under German occupation, while Ukrainian children draw the current war. Includes the ‘Mom, I Don’t Want War’ exhibition of the Polish-Ukrainian AAN archival project, courtesy of Polish Embassy NZ, 50 Years NZ-Poland diplomatic relationship. In addition, there is a spotlight on some of the Polish children from war zones who later made their lives in Auckland.
Heritage Festival runs from Sun 24 Sep–Sun 8 Oct, Tue-Fri: 10am-4pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm. Polish Museum closed Mon & Sat.
Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick, East Auckland, NZ. Museum entry by donation. Also available as a presentation for groups. Groups please book (small fee applies). Ph 533 3530 or Email phtmuseum@outlook.com to book a date and time to suit.
Image caption: by Joanna Wczesna, courtesy Polish Embassy NZ
Create Polish ‘wycinanki’ paper cut-outs in this fun workshop with the Polish Museum. These traditional cut-outs were created for decorating walls and ceiling beams in rural cottages for seasonal festivals. Designs are based on the Lowicz and Kurpie regions of Poland. After the visual presentation and craft workshop, enjoy the displays of wycinanki in the museum, then take home your own unique wycinanki artworks.
Sun 24 Sep, 2pm-4pm & Thu 5 Oct, 10am-12pm or book your own group time to suit.
Cost: $10:00 per person includes materials.
To book P: 533 3530 / E: phtmuseum@outlook.com
Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick, East Auckland.
Processions, fundraising, a Vulcan Lane vigil and Queen St march were among events to raise awareness of communist atrocities behind the Iron Curtain in Poland. Find out more about the Auckland efforts of organisations, politicians and the wider community in this illustrated talk in English by Polish-Aucklander, Jack (Jacek) Drecki.
Sun 1 Oct, 2pm-3pm at Polish Heritage Trust Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick, East Auckland. Museum entry by donation.
Image: Free Countries Support Polish Solidarity card, Jacek Drecki collection, Auckland.
Create Polish ‘wycinanki’ paper cut-outs in this fun workshop with the Polish Museum. These traditional cut-outs were created for decorating walls and ceiling beams in rural cottages for seasonal festivals. Designs are based on the Lowicz and Kurpie regions of Poland. After the visual presentation and craft workshop, enjoy the displays of wycinanki in the museum, then take home your own unique wycinanki artworks.
Sun 24 Sep, 2pm-4pm & Thu 5 Oct, 10am-12pm or book your own group time to suit.
Cost: $10:00 per person includes materials.
To book P: 533 3530 / E: phtmuseum@outlook.com
Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick, East Auckland.