Associations with Polish history

 Above: The Market Square in Old Town, Warsaw Most of the times, people talk about Polish history in relation to anniversaries of world events in which Poland played a significant role. For foreigners, this might be the only opportunity to learn about the history of the country. Yet Polish history

The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Facing the “Flying Peril”

 In 1934, two decades after the outbreak of the First World War and five years before the onset of the Second, a prescient former British soldier and politician named Winston Churchill spoke about the threat posed to England by air warfare. Churchill remarked that, “The flying peril is not a

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism: It’s Complicated

 There seems to be a general agreement that the Memorial to the Victims of Communism—Canada a Land of Refuge is a worthy project. However, controversy surrounds the current proposed location and design. Canada, a Land of Refuge— More than a Memorial “People are trying to make this political,” says Ludwik

Margaret Chwialkowska Illustrates Reflection in Annex Gallery Exhibit

 All photos by David Barbour  Ottawa-based artist Margaret Chwialkowska’s solo exhibition, “The Illusion of Reality,” brings a marvelous must-see energy to the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Annex Gallery at Ottawa City Hall. In this collection, Chwialkowska delves into the theme of reflection. Her work explores the evolving natural landscapes and the mind

Art Exhibit Showcases Grandeur of Local Environment

 Inspired by nature, award-winning Ottawa artist Margaret Chwialkowska will be featuring her solo exhibition “Gatineau Sublime” at the Galerie Old Chelsea from December 4 to December 31. Ever since Chwialkowska moved to Canada from Poland in 1979, she has been overwhelmed by the natural beauty of North American landscapes. Capturing the magic

Awakening the giant: The return of Poland

 In this issue of Ottawa Life, we begin the first of a two-part series on Poland. That is to say the new Poland – a country with a most intricate history of war and ideological conflict, but also one of sophisticated art and culture. Polish influence extends to Canada and