Stratford's Polish School celebrates Armistice centenary

On 11th November, the same date as the UK's Armistice Day, Polish Community in Stratford upon Avon and all over the world celebrated the centenary of Poland’s becoming an Independent State, writes Malgosia Librowski.

For 123 years the state of Poland had been wiped off European political maps and ceased to exist, suffering servitude, bloody suppression, Russification and Germanisation policies, national insurrections, political repression and Siberian katorga. However, 11November 1918 saw the dream of generations of Poles came true - Poland finally returned to the map of Europe as an Independent State.

To commemorate this special occasion, children from the Polish Saturday School in Stratford presented a special assembly, which celebrated the thousand–year-long history of Poland, one of the oldest states in Europe, its people and events that shaped it. It was a wonderful opportunity for children from Polish Saturday School to showcase their talents and for everyone to sing Polish national anthem. The event also remembered the fallen, who have given so much to protect the freedom we can all enjoy today.

Renata Barys, the Head Teacher and founder of the Polish Saturday School in Stratford said: ‘Many Polish families built their lives in Britain, contributing to this country every day. We are grateful to Britain for having welcomed us and we are happy and proud to be part of Stratford community’.