After the Second World War, around 2.5 million Poles were stranded in the three western zones of Germany. The annexation of Poland by the communist Soviet Union and the loss of Poland’s eastern territories made it practically impossible to return home. The paths for further emigration were also mostly closed. In this uncertain and sometimes tragic situation, the Polish displaced persons managed to achieve uniquely broad and profound cultural achievements until the mid-1950s.

Lecture by Dr. Jacek Barski, Managing Director of the digital documentation center for the culture and history of the Pol:innen in Germany, Porta Polonica in Bochum

Free of charge, registration not required

More info: Blind spots

As part of the event series“Blind-Spots – a series of events in memory of the former displaced persons in Westphalia-Lippe”