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Why London’s Polish cultural centre is pivotal to our lives Why London’s Polish cultural centre is pivotal to our lives
(about 2 months later)
As a British citizen of Polish parents, the Polish Social and Cultural Centre (Posk) – which was daubed with racist graffiti after the referendum result – has played a central role in my life.As a British citizen of Polish parents, the Polish Social and Cultural Centre (Posk) – which was daubed with racist graffiti after the referendum result – has played a central role in my life.
In the 1980s and 90s, the centre in west London helped an immigrant community to find its place and maintain a sense of identity in its adopted homeland. We had different habits and customs from British people. Some of our names were difficult to pronounce. Polish parishes and community centres, built by the postwar immigrant community, operated throughout the UK.In the 1980s and 90s, the centre in west London helped an immigrant community to find its place and maintain a sense of identity in its adopted homeland. We had different habits and customs from British people. Some of our names were difficult to pronounce. Polish parishes and community centres, built by the postwar immigrant community, operated throughout the UK.
I was a pupil at the Polish Saturday school in south London and frequented the nearby Polish church. I danced in the Polish group Karolinka. Posk was home to key immigrant organisations – with a theatre, library and gallery – and was the most important meeting point for us. As young British Poles, we regularly visited it to take part in language competitions and dance festivals, have Polish meals and watch Polish concerts. We gravitated towards those who we shared common ground with; there were fewer of us here then.I was a pupil at the Polish Saturday school in south London and frequented the nearby Polish church. I danced in the Polish group Karolinka. Posk was home to key immigrant organisations – with a theatre, library and gallery – and was the most important meeting point for us. As young British Poles, we regularly visited it to take part in language competitions and dance festivals, have Polish meals and watch Polish concerts. We gravitated towards those who we shared common ground with; there were fewer of us here then.
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Since 2004, young Poles have been able to travel, study abroad and move abroad to work. Twenty years ago, the gulf between my experiences and those of my cousins in Poland was formidable. Today, the younger generation easily crosses that gulf. Despite this, Posk continues to play a large role in the lives of London-based Poles.Since 2004, young Poles have been able to travel, study abroad and move abroad to work. Twenty years ago, the gulf between my experiences and those of my cousins in Poland was formidable. Today, the younger generation easily crosses that gulf. Despite this, Posk continues to play a large role in the lives of London-based Poles.
Two years ago, I started teaching its Polish folk dance group, Tatry. The group of Polish folk dance and culture in the UK and increases ties between immigrants and local communities. Drawn in to the colourful spectacle, dancers deepened their understanding of the history of the local community, while having the opportunity to demonstrate their place in it. Tatry are a wonderfully diverse group of people. The youngest member is 24, the oldest 69. The dancers aren’t all native-born Poles; among them are people from the UK, Ukraine and India. There are parents, students, teachers, cleaners, labourers, office workers, scientists and doctors. Our musicians are English.Two years ago, I started teaching its Polish folk dance group, Tatry. The group of Polish folk dance and culture in the UK and increases ties between immigrants and local communities. Drawn in to the colourful spectacle, dancers deepened their understanding of the history of the local community, while having the opportunity to demonstrate their place in it. Tatry are a wonderfully diverse group of people. The youngest member is 24, the oldest 69. The dancers aren’t all native-born Poles; among them are people from the UK, Ukraine and India. There are parents, students, teachers, cleaners, labourers, office workers, scientists and doctors. Our musicians are English.
They don’t just dance together. They support one another through the challenges of life in London – in the search for housing, employment, friends and interests. Perhaps in working toward a common goal with such a wide cross-section of societypeople become more tolerant of others’ views and opinions, and start to understand what shapes them.They don’t just dance together. They support one another through the challenges of life in London – in the search for housing, employment, friends and interests. Perhaps in working toward a common goal with such a wide cross-section of societypeople become more tolerant of others’ views and opinions, and start to understand what shapes them.
The attack on Posk was the work of an isolated minority. The expression of support for the Polish community in its wake has been much more remarkable. Undoubtedly, however, a large section of British society has its doubts about the status quo. Just months ago, the dancers at Posk were drawing similar conclusions from the results of the 2015 election in Poland. Without some sort of attempt at mutual understanding, we surely run the risk of neglecting to address the real issues highlighted by the referendum result. Yet diverse groups of people must seek to understand the concerns and motivations of others in a rapidly changing world. Only then can we meaningfully face the challenges posed by the post-referendum environment.The attack on Posk was the work of an isolated minority. The expression of support for the Polish community in its wake has been much more remarkable. Undoubtedly, however, a large section of British society has its doubts about the status quo. Just months ago, the dancers at Posk were drawing similar conclusions from the results of the 2015 election in Poland. Without some sort of attempt at mutual understanding, we surely run the risk of neglecting to address the real issues highlighted by the referendum result. Yet diverse groups of people must seek to understand the concerns and motivations of others in a rapidly changing world. Only then can we meaningfully face the challenges posed by the post-referendum environment.