‘1918-2018 Poland 100 Years’.

2018 is a special year in the history of Poland.

Poland was off the political map for 123 years and regained its independence at the conclusion of World War 1.

Come and discover the historical timeline.

Display running till the end of 2018

Every year in Poland, the Polish Government chooses key people to celebrate, known as The Year Of … This year, at the museum, we are showcasing ‘The Year of Irena Sendler’, whose life was made famous in the film Life in a Jar.

Irena was a selfless nurse who saved Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto in World War 2.

Display running till the end of 2018

Every year in Poland, the Polish Government chooses key people to celebrate, known as The Year Of …

Because this is a significant year, museum staff have chosen a second exhibition featuring a famous poet, ‘The Year of Zbigniew Herbert’.

He is well known for his words ‘No time to grieve for roses when the forests are burning’. A winner of over twenty literary awards, from the late 1960s, Herbert was one of the most serious contenders for the Nobel Prize for Literature.

His books have been translated into 38 languages.

Display running till the end of 2018

This exhibition is part of the Auckland Heritage Festival 2018

View delightful styles of Polish ceramics, from hand-painted Boleslawiec blue dot tableware, famous in Europe for several hundred years, to regional Kashubian plates and a vintage folk-art floral teapot.

The other galleries in the museum will also be open.

Entry by Donation to the museum is suggested $10 – $5

Museum founder and Former Honary Consul,  John Roy-Wojciechowski talks about his life and the Centennial of Poland’s Regained Independence.

 2018 is a special year in the history of Poland, commemorating 100 years of Poland and its Independence regained.

The rebirth of the Polish Republic in 1918 was the result of the efforts of several generations of Poles – outstanding individuals and their political circles. Discover other key events over the last 100 years in Polish history.

Hear the history of Poland regaining independence at the close of World War 1 and the story of one of the 733 ‘Polish children of Pahiatua’. who was invited to New Zealand for the duration of WWII.

 1.7 million Poles were forcibly deported from Poland to Russia during WWII, then exiled to Persia, then came to NZ.

Most of these survivors later became New Zealand citizens.

Stay after the talk, met John and share morning tea with us.

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We have 2 new designs for 2018, marking the 100 years of Poland’s Independence.

Discover new designs and learn the traditional Polish Folk Art paper craft called Wycinanki (cut-outs) in this fun and creative workshop for adults and children 7 years and older.

A short presentation is included. PHTM will share with you the beauty of the Polish traditional cut-outs from 2 regions in Poland, Kurpie and Lowicz and their unique characters within the world of other cultures paper art and craft. At the beginning of the 19thC designs were cut and shaped as simple geometrical patterns of plants, animals or people.

Later when coloured decorative papers became more available, complicated patterns and multi coloured cut-outs made of layers of different colours and shapes emerged. After the workshop, enjoy the displays of wycinanki within the museum.

Thurs 4 Oct, 10am-noon

2018 is a special year in the history of Poland. We mark a Centennial of Poland’s Regained Independence, hence we have this new element into to the talk and full presentation

Hear a brief history of Poland regaining independence at the close of World War 1 and the links to that story to the 733 ‘Polish children of Pahiatua’.

1.7 million Poles were forcibly deported from Poland to Russia during WWII, then exiled to Persia, this small group of children and 102 accompanying adults were invited to New Zealand for the duration of WWII. Most of these survivors later became New Zealand citizens.

‘Poles Apart’ (1 hour) tells this poignant story and background of 733 Polish children and 102 adults who came to live in Pahiatua, New Zealand, 1944.

The programme will start at 10.30am, with a look around the Lower Gallery, and follow with a talk starting at 10.45, then the film Poles Apart starting at 11am. with free time after the film to wander the exhibits again ands visit the Upper Gallery.

We will serve morning tea at approx. 10.45am. Price is $10 cash per person. Morning tea / coffee / biscuits included. Bookings not required.

Museum founder Mr John Roy-Wojceichowski is one of the children,

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

Discover medals: find the link between the Anzac soldiers of WW1 and the Polish children of WW2. Design a medal and accompanying booklet, in paper. Short educational presentation included

An educational and creative workshop to mark 100 years since the end of WW1 and the 100 years centenary of Poland’s regained Independence. What links the medals awarded to the Anzac soldiers of WW1 and the Polish children of WW2. Discover medals…When are medals given? What do they signify to the person receiving the medal and to the families many years later? Whose medals can you wear and when? Auckland has a diverse cultural heritage which includes military and civilians recognised with national medals for courage, survival recognition and acknowledgement Watch a presentation and short film clip about the award of the Siberia Cross to one of the Polish ‘children’ of Pahiatua. Design a medal and accompanying booklet, in paper.

Thursday 11 Oct 10am-12noon

Bookings recommended

Experience a variety of events running at the Polish Museum over the Auckland Heritage Festival

• workshops for families and adults $8per person inc adults, booking recommended
• Talk Tour Film 100 years presentation with film and morning tea $10 (2 hours)
• Talk by founder of the museum Mr John Roy-Wojciechowski (1 hour), no booking
• ‘Ceramika’ Exhibition