In 1980, during the strikes in Gdansk, Wajda visited the shipyard. A worker shouted to him “Now you must make a film about our story – ‘Man of Iron.’

The workers thus directly commissioned Wajda’s second film. Its production, from beginning to end, was completed in nine months.

The story unfolds…In Warsaw in 1980, the Party sends Winkel, a weak, alcoholic TV hack, to Gdansk to dig up dirt on the shipyard strikers, particularly on Maciek Tomczyk, an articulate worker whose father was killed in the December 1970 protests. Posing as sympathetic, Winkel interviews people who know Tomczyk, including his detained wife, Agnieszka. Their narrations become flashbacks using actual news footage of 1968 and 1970 protests and of the later birth of free unions and Solidarity.

‘Our Lady of Czestochowa’, is a religious film showing the history of the monastery and sanctuary of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa, Poland. The film takes you on a tour of Poland’s greatest religious shrine, including those places which are not accessible to ordinary visitors. This film helps to  understand the unique phenomenon of the Jasna Gora sanctuary

The Black Madonna Icon is a 122 x 82cm painting on a wooden panel which is shrouded by richly ornamented jeweled robes, legends and miracles.It is believed that Poland is under protection of The Black Madonna painting. A famous Catholic icon celebrated by Polish people on 15th August each year.

Story about a Pilgrimage to Czestochowa, Poland

The tradition of pilgrimages to Czestochowa, a famous Marian sanctuary (also commonly known by the name of Jasna Gora, or the Bright Mountain) is a long and diverse in Poland.

The most characteristic form of devotion is the summer walking pilgrimages to the sanctuary, when people from all over the country set off to walk in organized groups to this very special place. The experience involves hours or days of walking but there’s much more to do than just walk. The friars organize lectures on the way, focusing on various aspects of Catholic spirituality.

Perhaps the most striking feature of such an experience, it is the attitudes of people you inevitably meet on the way. From sharing drinking water or carrying your backpack for a while, to just being there to listen when you need it – but also inhabitants of local villages that pilgrimage passes through offer vast assistance, provide meals and places to stay overnight. Thus the way to the sanctuary becomes at least equally important to finally reaching it – another nice parable to the Christian way of life.

The experience is open to anyone who would like to participate in the  pilgrim  each August. There are some foreign guests – from the US, France, Finland, Philippines. Just bring yourself a pair of comfortable shoes – and you can start walking. Text by Kamila (Warsaw, Poland)

A 10 year Karol Wojtyla in the 1930’s in Poland, has dreams, many dreams. One by one they are shattered. First, by the loss of his mother and brother. Then by the outbreak of war and the death-fleeing exodus that ensued. And finally by the first sign of Jewish persecution.

These events will mark Karol’s long journey from worker, to poet and to teacher. A journey full of encounters that eventually leads him to become the man we all knew. A man who has marked an era. A man who has made history.

Karol Wojtyla, whose tireless fight for humanity and basic fundamental rights begins with the German invasion of his native Poland in 1939.

Appalled at the brutal treatment afforded his Jewish friends, Karol turns to his religion as a means of making a difference in the world, and with the help of several other like-minded individuals mounts a non-violent, but extremely effective, anti-Nazi resistance.

Ordained as a priest at war’s end, Karol finds himself fighting another form of Godless totalitarianism, this one from the Communists who have overtaken his country.

Ultimately, Father Karol Wojtyla’s noble mission culminates in his being elected as Pope John Paul II in 1978 and it was surely no coincidence that Poland’s liberation was now but a matter of time.

Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick phone 09 533 3530.

Entry by cash donation or internet banking

Artwork by Lindy Fisher

Teacher Only Session for the PHTM

In house lesson: Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944

You are warmly invited to a Teacher Only Session for the Learning Outside The Classroom, PHTM educational programme called Stefania For Schools based on the book Stefania’s Dancing Slippers by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher.

Primary / Intermediate teachers and home educators are invited to visit the Polish Museum for a presentation, in preparation for student visits in 2018 . Experience the ‘Stefania for Schools’ lesson called Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944 with slideshow, objects and artworks, linked to the NZ school curriculum.

These free sessions are also available on request at times and dates for your school team.

For bookings/enquiries and alternative dates email phtmuseum@outlook.com or phone Lynette, PHTM Education Officer, on 533 3530.

This programmes is age appropriate from Years 3-8, age group 7-13 years old

Museum building

Artwork by Lindy Fisher

Teacher Only Session for the PHTM

In house lesson: Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944

You are warmly invited to a Teacher Only Session for the Learning Outside The Classroom, PHTM educational programme called Stefania For Schools based on the book Stefania’s Dancing Slippers by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher.

Primary / Intermediate teachers and home educators are invited to visit the Polish Museum for a presentation, in preparation for student visits in 2018 . Experience the ‘Stefania for Schools’ lesson called Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944 with slideshow, objects and artworks, linked to the NZ school curriculum.

These free sessions are also available on request at times and dates for your school team.

For bookings/enquiries and alternative dates email phtmuseum@outlook.com or phone Lynette, PHTM Education Officer, on 533 3530.

This programmes is age appropriate from Years 3-8, age group 7-13 years old

Museum building

Artwork by Lindy Fisher

Teacher Only Session for information about the PHTM in-house 1 hour lesson

In house lesson: Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944

You are warmly invited to a Teacher Only Session for the Learning Outside The Classroom, PHTM educational programme called Stefania For Schools based on the book Stefania’s Dancing Slippers by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher.

Primary / Intermediate teachers and home educators are invited to visit the Polish Museum for a presentation, in preparation for student visits in 2018 . Experience the ‘Stefania for Schools’ lesson called Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944 with slideshow, objects and artworks, linked to the NZ school curriculum.

These free sessions are also available on request at times and dates for your school team.

For bookings/enquiries and alternative dates email phtmuseum@outlook.com or phone Lynette, PHTM Education Officer, on 533 3530.

This programmes is age appropriate from Years 3-8, age group 7-13 years old

Museum building

Artwork by Lindy Fisher

Teacher Only Session for information about the PHTM in-house 1 hour lesson

In house lesson: Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944

You are warmly invited to a Teacher Only Session for the Learning Outside The Classroom, PHTM educational programme called Stefania For Schools based on the book Stefania’s Dancing Slippers by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher.

Primary / Intermediate teachers and home educators are invited to visit the Polish Museum for a presentation, in preparation for student visits in 2018 . Experience the ‘Stefania for Schools’ lesson called Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944 with slideshow, objects and artworks, linked to the NZ school curriculum.

These free sessions are also available on request at times and dates for your school team.

For bookings/enquiries and alternative dates email phtmuseum@outlook.com or phone Lynette, PHTM Education Officer, on 533 3530.

This programmes is age appropriate from Years 3-8, age group 7-13 years old

Museum building

Paper cut-outs school holiday workshop $8.00 per person, 7 years plus, relaxing and fun, plenty of ideas given to take home and try more designs!

Come create with paper and scissors. Great activity for the whole family

Polish decorative paper cut-outs belong to the most colourful in the world. Traditionally they were cut by hand, without drawing the lines first, using sheep-sheering scissors.

• Take home 2 art works.
• Watch a short presentation
• Designs based on the Lowicz and Kurpie regions of Poland
• This workshop is also available throughout the year, other dates and days,  and is ideal for birthday parties too!

Bookings preferred please, phone 533 3530 or 021 107 0169 or email us.

Museum hours Tue to Fri 10-4 and Sunday 12-5

Artwork by Lindy Fisher

Teacher Only Session for information about the PHTM in-house 1 hour lesson

In house lesson: Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944

You are warmly invited to a Teacher Only Session for the Learning Outside The Classroom, PHTM educational programme called Stefania For Schools based on the book Stefania’s Dancing Slippers by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher.

Primary / Intermediate teachers and home educators are invited to visit the Polish Museum for a presentation, in preparation for student visits in 2018 . Experience the ‘Stefania for Schools’ lesson called Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944 with slideshow, objects and artworks, linked to the NZ school curriculum.

These free sessions are also available on request at times and dates for your school team.

For bookings/enquiries and alternative dates email phtmuseum@outlook.com or phone Lynette, PHTM Education Officer, on 533 3530.

This programmes is age appropriate from Years 3-8, age group 7-13 years old

Museum building

Artwork by Lindy Fisher c

Teacher Only Session for information about the PHTM in-house 1 hour lesson

In house lesson: Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944

You are warmly invited to a Teacher Only Session for the Learning Outside The Classroom, PHTM educational programme called Stefania For Schools based on the book Stefania’s Dancing Slippers by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher.

Primary / Intermediate teachers and home educators are invited to visit the Polish Museum for a presentation, in preparation for student visits in 2018 . Experience the ‘Stefania for Schools’ lesson called Identity/Migration: Polish children arrive in 1944 with slideshow, objects and artworks, linked to the NZ school curriculum.

These free sessions are also available on request at times and dates for your school team.

For bookings / enquiries and alternative dates email phtmuseum@outlook.com or phone Lynette, PHTM Education Officer, on 533 3530.

This programme is age appropriate from Years 3-8, age group 7-13 years old

Museum building