Project made by Magdalena Kukie czy ska

Poland is a culturally diverse country. It all depends on regions in which people may notice different traditions and customs. I will do my best to present the most common features that bring us,Poles, together.

The most essential feature which should be mentioned first is our native language Polish. Polish is a West Slavic language and the official language of Poland. It is also the third most widely spoken Slavic language, after Russian and Ukrainian. What is more, its grammar structures, phonetics and alphabet make Polish one of the most difficult languages in the world.

Another important aspect which brings us, Poles, together is the territory, which has changed since world wars. When World War II began (September 1st, 1939) Polish territory was again partitioned between Germany and USSR (The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Many Polish cities such as Lww or Wilno were taken away from Poland.

Poland, as a country and a nation, suffered a lot. All the wars made Poles extremely patriotic and courageous. Communism, occupations and annexations united the Polish nation. Patriotism is greatly intense here in Poland; you can see it whenever there is a terrible catastrophe: either the political one (the death of the president and all well-known and important people for Poland) or a natural disaster like floods.

Until World War II, Poland was a religiously diverse society, which means that Jewish, Protestant and Christian Orthodox minorities coexisted with a Roman Catholic majority. As a result of the Holocaust and the end of WW2, Poland has become overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. Most Poles adhere to the Christian faith, with 89.8% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Church in Poland enjoys immense social prestige and political influence. It is also seen as a symbol of Polish heritage and culture.

Poland may also be very proud of many Poles who contributed to our culture and history. There are many fields for which we are famous, e.g.: physics and astronomy, music, religion or arts.

The grave of Chopin in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

FREDERIC CHOPIN (1810-1849)

NICOLAUS COPERNICUS (1473-1543) Astronomer - he was the

Famous pianist and the greatest Polish composer ever. His repertoire included concerts, sonatas, etudes, preludes, polonaises, mazurkas and waltzes.

first who developed a heliocentric theory of the solar system. He published his discoveries in the work 'On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.

JOHN PAUL II, KAROL WOJTYLA (1920-2005)

He became the Pope in 1978. Poland was extremely proud of John Paul II, and grieved a lot when he died.

MARIA SKLODOWSKACURIE (1867-1934)

Marie SklodowskaCurie was a physicist and chemist, who was awarded the Nobel Prize , twice. She discovered polonium and radium.

Poland has many beautiful, historic and awe-inspiring places worth visiting. If I had to recommend some to a foreigner, I would choose: Cracow, Torun, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Zakopane and Warsaw. Each of them has its unique architecture, history and traditions.