“Polak w Niemczech” (1925–1972). The press organ of the Union of Poles in Germany

The content and (political) aims of the Union periodical
 

“Polak w Niemczech” focussed its attention on topics relating to culture, politics, religion, language and the work of the Union. There were monthly reports about cultural developments in the Polish community in Germany, about the Polish language and the necessity of teaching and refining it, and on the national awareness of the Poles living in Germany. It provided information about important (political) events in the re-established Polish state, as well as in Germany. It also reported on the religious life of Poles in Germany and on the collaboration between the Union and Polish clerics. In 1934, there was even a special edition of “Polak w Niemczech”, which contained a 28-page report on a pilgrimage by Poles from Germany to Rome, which took place in November 1933 (Fig. 5–7). The periodical also included songs, articles about historical events, sports reports, entertainment, and poems. In 1927, the leadership of the Union decided to add a working calendar, which was dedicated to a different theme each month, and which from then on largely remained a feature of the Union’s press publications. For example, in January, the year began with reports on the organisation of the Union, along with the work of the association and its goals. February was dedicated to literature, the Polish press and Polish cultural life (Fig. 8), while March featured information about religious life in Germany, including church services. In April, the main focus was on young adults and various youth organisations operating in Germany (Fig. 9), while the May issue was dedicated to sports (Fig. 10). Articles relating to mothers and children dominated the June issue (Fig. 11); the theme for July was Polish songs and Polish choirs. During the summer month of August, the periodical dedicated its pages to topics relating to holidays, while September focused on the Polish community. The foundations of charity work were the main theme in October, while in November, it was trade unions. To round off the year, December was declared Polish cooperative month. All Polish organisations were requested to abide by this yearly structure.[12]

As the press organ of the Union of Poles in Germany, “Polak w Niemczech” also reflected the opinions and goals of the organisation. The promotion of Polish culture in Germany, with particular attention paid to the Polish language, customs and traditions, was then, as now, one of the two fundamental goals of the Union of Poles in Germany and as such was an important focus of its work. The second goal was to act as a mouthpiece for the political interests of the Poles before the German state. Therefore, “Polak w Niemczech” was among other things an information platform covering the political activity of the Union during the Weimar Republic. The Union’s successful activities included the dispatch of two representatives of the Union of Poles in Germany to the Prussian parliament (Landtag) in 1924 and the permission granted to the Union to open Polish schools in Germany in 1928.[13] A second core demand of the Union of Poles in Germany was – and still is – the recognition of the Poles living in Germany as a national minority and the observance of the minority rights that such a recognition would entail. Articles on this subject were repeatedly published in the Union periodical.