Seattle narrowly avoided a tornado and 2-inch hail. If it had happened, we’d probably be using some strong language. That’s why in this issue; we’re tackling the controversial topic of swear words.
Personally, I don’t like swear words and rarely use them. Maybe only when I hit my finger with a hammer because it reduces pain – a scientifically proven fact.
However, when I travel to Poland or talk to my Polish friends, I hear swear words everywhere: in all sorts of conversations, on television, even in stand-up comedy shows. I always wonder why? Do they make our conversations better? Do they make us sound more confident?
The answers are in the short story below. Enjoy.
From Classics to Contemporary: An Evening of Polish Poetry with Beata Poźniak Premiere of the Audiobook Songs of Youth – Lviv 1883 by January Poźniak
Celebrating Polish Constitution Day on Sunday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m., the Polish Home Association and Rick Steves’ Europe are coming together to present a screening of Rick Steves Poland — a brand-new, one-hour, nationwide public television special. This is a FREE but TICKETED event, audience spots are limited, book yours now – https://square.link/u/WZXXu37N Rick’s
Go to the Seattle Polish Film Festival website and click on the button “Buy 2925 Early Bird Pass”.
First of all, I want to point out that vulgarisms are not words I am fond of. On the contrary, I dislike hearing and using them. They are intense and jarring. Swear words are not neutral; therefore, they cannot be used as meaningless sentence fillers or decorative additions to make speech sound more expressive. My professor, Jan Miodek, used to say that excessive swearing is a sign of linguistic poverty—language offers plenty of ways to express emotions without resorting to vulgarity. Swear words have their place, but they should remain silent until they are truly needed.
We all faced this decision once when we left Poland and settled in Seattle. For many, leaving home is a dramatic and seemingly impossible choice. We did it, so we know firsthand how hard it is. Yet, because we’ve done it once, and sometimes many times, it’s not frightening anymore. After a while in one place, we start thinking that maybe it’s time to move again.
Join us and celebrate together our tradition on our 60th anniversary of the Polish Bazaar! Eat delicious, traditional food, and conventional Polish pastries and get gifts, traditional crafts, t-shirts, and much more for yourself or family and friends! Delicious dinners of pickle soup, white borscht, pierogi, and more were served
Let’s celebrate Spring with Szkoła Polska in Seattle! Learn about the Polish tradition of drowning Marzanna! Saturday, March 22 at 3 pm at the Polish Home Association, 1714 18th Avenue, Seattle, 98122 Create your own Marzanna (Straw doll/Winter witch) from the materials provided on-site during the event and win a prize for
Spring is almost here, and we wanted to dedicate this issue to the season. Our editor, Ania Kaminska, has written a wonderful article about an old Polish tradition of drowning a Marzanna. You’ll find it below.
Polish citizens residing abroad will be able to vote in person only, at the location of electoral commissions established by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Due to the time zone difference, voting in the USA will take place on Saturday May 17, 2025. As needed, the second round of the
Dziadek i niedźwiadek to niezwykła książka – ciepła, poruszająca i pełna historycznej prawdy, choć opowiedziana w przystępny, niemal bajkowy sposób. Opiera się na autentycznych wydarzeniach, wspomnieniach żołnierzy i materiałach archiwalnych, a jednocześnie zawiera wątki fabularyzowane, które pomagają młodemu czytelnikowi lepiej zrozumieć realia tamtych trudnych lat. Jak opowiedzieć dzieciom o wojnie
Moving abroad brings a lot of “new”: new landscapes, new language, new people, new jobs, new living space, new shops, new food, etc. It is good to look into the future and the bright sides of these changes. Yet, alongside the “new,” there are “lacks” that cannot be replaced. One of them is the traditions celebrated in our homelands. They used to be so common and natural that we often only notice their absence when we can no longer observe them.
Seattle has long been a melting pot of cultures, and for the Polish-American community, the Seattle Polish Foundation (SPF) is the heart that keeps its rich heritage alive. If you’ve ever bitten into a delicious pierogi at the bustling Pierogi Fest at the Polish Home or danced to the rhythm
I was prompted to write this article by two events, one last Saturday and one happening soon.
On Sunday, March 2, the Seattle Polish Film Festival organized a fundraiser for Ukraine and presented the movie “Erase the Nation” about the war in Ukraine. It was a sold-out event with lots of Poles, Ukrainians, and Americans in the audience.
Starting March 13, the Seattle Jewish Film Festival will present a Polish movie “The Death of Zygielbojm” (Śmierć Zygielbojma).
Living abroad comes with many challenges, some predictable, others unexpected. When my husband and I decided to leave Poland, I was excited for the new adventure: to see new places, meet new people, and gain new experiences. I knew I would miss my people and my familiar places. I understood
The Polish Home Association is happy to announce the opening of an Art Gallery in the Polish Cultural Center. We are creating a forum for artists associated with the Polish community to present their art and to popularize and promote art in our community.
President – Magdalena WysockaVice President – Barbara AugustyniakSecretary – Mira PawluśkiewiczTreasure – Henryka Posłuszny Congratulations!! We would like to invite you all to the Spring Bazaar at the Polish Cultural Center on April 12th, 2025 Noon to 5pm For any questions please email: polishbazaar@polishhome.org
This year Seattle Polish Film Festival will be happening in October, but if there is a Polish film showing up in Seattle area in the meantime, we’ll let you know about it, and remind you at the same time that we continue working on our festival to bring to you the best Polish films available.
This time we are encouraging you to check the film “The Death of Zygielbojm” (Śmierć Zygielbojma), directed by Ryszard Brylski. It will be streaming March 13 – April 13 during the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. For tickets please check the SJFF website: Home | Seattle Jewish Film Festival
The film “The Death of Zygielbojm” will be streaming March 31 – April 13 during the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. For tickets please check the SJFF website: Home | Seattle Jewish Film Festival In May 1943, Szmul (Shmuel) Zygielbojm, a member of the Polish government-in-exile, dies under suspicious circumstances in