‘Poles Apart is the story of 733 Polish orphans who came to New Zealand in 1944. With a backdrop provided by the events of World War Two, the documentary traces their long and arduous journey from Poland through Siberia, Uzbekistan and Persia to New Zealand: a journey that takes them from the warmth and comfort of their homes in Poland, to the freezing barracks of Siberian forced labour camps, to the suffocating heat of the mud huts of Uzbekistan, to converted harems and stables of the Shah of Persia and finally to a former army camp in Pahiatua, New Zealand.’
‘Polish children in Persia 1942-44’ and ‘Little Poland in Pahiatua’ exhibition of photographs are on display in the Upper Gallery for viewing after the film.
This documentary was made for the 60th reunion and has a number of the now adults interviews on their thoughts about this incredible story
”Soviet Story’ is the most powerful antidote yet to the sanitation of the past.The film is gripping, audacious and uncompromising.’ The Economist
This is a story of an Allied power, which helped the Nazis to fight Jews and which slaughtered its own people on an industrial scale.
Assisted by the West, this power triumphed on May 9th 1945. Its crimes were made taboo and the complete story of Europe’s most murderous regime has never been told till now.
Mature audience only.
Last days finishes on Nov 16th
First Photographers of Warsaw -Beyer, Brandel, Fajans
Take a fascinating journey across Warsaw in the second half of the nineteenth century, as recorded by outstanding precursors of Polish photography: Karol Beyer, Maksymilian Fajans and Konrad Brandel.
The accomplishments of three outstanding representatives of Polish photography constitute the foundation of Warsaw‘s photographic heritage.Their works possess predominantly documentary merits making it possible to take a totally new look at Warsaw‘s familiar places.
At the same time, they illustrate the progress of the art and technique of photography – from first attempts at static plein (open) air photographs to dynamic scenes from the life of the town.
These selected images are from an outdoor exhibit held in Warsaw 2015 and come from monographic albums about the three photographers, written by Danuta Jackiewicz and published by Dom Spotkan z Historia and the National Museum in Warsaw.
PHTM gives special thanks to the National Museum in Warsaw for allowing this selection of images to be on show in NZ. Other centres in New Zealand will have the opportunity to view this exhibition. Please contact us with expressions of interest to take part in this travelling exhibition from December 2016 to November 2017.
Exhibition runs during our opening hours Tuesday – Friday 10-4 and Sunday 12-5
A family fun activity, for bookings phone 533 3530 $8 per person starts 2pm and finishes 4pm, 2 hours of craft
- Design your own Polish Easter Egg What is pisanki? It’s a Polish word for…?
- Create an Easter Palm from paper Taste Mazurek, a Polish Easter cake
- What is smingus-dyngus? It’s something fun!
Adults without children are welcome too !
A family fun activity, for bookings phone 533 3530 $8 per person starts 2pm and finishes 4pm
Looking for something more than chocolate eggs. Join us in a fun and creative 2 hours of crafting and more, for all the family. Individual adults without children are welcome too!
- Design your own Polish Easter Egg What is pisanki? It’s a Polish word for…?
- Create an Easter Palm from paper Taste Mazurek, a Polish Easter cake
- What is smingus-dyngus? It’s something fun!
To secure your place please contact us, by phone or email, thanks.
Safe Haven Exhibition
Nestled 2km south of Pahiatua township was a temporary army camp located at the racecourse, which later provided a safe haven for the Polish children and adults, from 1944 till 1949. They remember the kindness of the Pahiatua locals. Come share their experiences.
Exhibition runs during our opening hours as part of the ‘Auckland Festival of Photography’ 2017. Polish films on Sunday commence July
Join our popular guided tour of the galleries, includes talk & film’ Overcoming Fate’
With Subtitles.
Hosted visit, open to individuals and small groups up to 8.
The museum opens at 10am, we will serve morning tea and start with a talk at 10.15am, the event will finish around 12noon, with free time to wander the exhibits.
$10 per person. Morning tea/coffee and biscuits included. Bookings not required.
See this deeply moving, creative and contemporary film interpretation of the Polish Pahiatua children’s story, as recalled 70 years on.
‘The heroes of my film are Polish children who survived deportation to Siberia together with their families, and then, as a result of exile in wartime, went to the port of Wellington [in New Zealand]’ says director Marek Lechowicz. ‘Most of these children lost their loved ones and have not yet visited the homeland’.
This hauntingly creative interpretation of the children’s stories, recalled 70 years later by participants, is accompanied by documentary footage and contemporary poetic and artistic works.
‘Overcoming Fate’ was filmed around New Zealand and in Poland. Screened nationwide on Polish television, it marks a milestone in national consciousness due to the former communist government’s suppression of Soviet involvement in the deportation of Polish families.
Join our popular guided tour of the galleries, includes talk & film’ Overcoming Fate’
With Subtitles.
Hosted visit, open to individuals and small groups up to 8. Larger groups please book with staff.
The museum opens at 10am, we will serve morning tea and start with a talk at 10.15am, the event will finish around 12noon, with free time to wander the exhibits.
$10 per person. Morning tea/coffee and biscuits included. Bookings not required.
See this deeply moving, creative and contemporary film interpretation of the Polish Pahiatua children’s story, as recalled 70 years on.
‘The heroes of my film are Polish children who survived deportation to Siberia together with their families, and then, as a result of exile in wartime, went to the port of Wellington [in New Zealand]’ says director Marek Lechowicz. ‘Most of these children lost their loved ones and have not yet visited the homeland’.
This hauntingly creative interpretation of the children’s stories, recalled 70 years later by participants, is accompanied by documentary footage and contemporary poetic and artistic works.
‘Overcoming Fate’ was filmed around New Zealand and in Poland. Screened nationwide on Polish television, it marks a milestone in national consciousness due to the former communist government’s suppression of Soviet involvement in the deportation of Polish families.
”Soviet Story’ is the most powerful antidote yet to the sanitation of the past.
This film is gripping, audacious and uncompromising.’ The Economist
This is a story of an Allied power, which helped the Nazis to fight Jews and which slaughtered its own people on an industrial scale.
Assisted by the West, this power triumphed on May 9th 1945. Its crimes were made taboo and the complete story of Europe’s most murderous regime has never been told till now.
Mature audience only.
Hosted Visit, open to individuals and small groups: join our popular guided tour of the galleries. Hear an introductory talk and watch the film ‘Poles Apart’.
The museum will open at 10am, we will serve morning tea and start with a talk at 10.15am, the event will finish around 12noon, with free time to wander the exhibits The museum will stay open till 4pm. Price is $10 per person. Morning tea / coffee / biscuits included. Bookings not required.
‘Poles Apart’ (1 hour) tells the poignant story and background of 733 Polish children and 102 adults who came to live in Pahiatua, New Zealand, 1944. These survivors were forcibly deported from Poland to Russia during World War 2 then evacuated to Persia during a short amnesty. They eventually found a home in New Zealand.