Poles

The countries of the Three Seas Initiative have made different use of their regained freedom. However, if they did not have to grapple with the consequences of aggressive Russian imperialism and were better understood in the West, they could contribute a lot to the global freedom potential. 

The war has forced several millions of Ukrainians to leave their country. The Poles have welcomed these war refugees to their homes with open arms. By an unprecedented decision of the Polish authorities, the Ukrainians were granted the same rights as the Poles, the only exception being the right to vote. 

“[…] there are no more occupiers. We’re our own masters and hosts,” rejoiced Warsaw politician and columnist Ignacy Baliński in November 1918. But Poland’s newly regained freedom still had to be defended against Russia – just as Ukraine does today.

It is no coincidence that we inaugurated the Empty Frames campaign in Polish museums right before the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s attack on Poland on 17 September 1939.

The effects of World War II – demographic, economic, infrastructural, scientific, educational and cultural – are felt by Poles until today.

For the past 30 years, the Polish economy has been developing at a high pace, reaching an annual average of 4-5%. The COVID-19 pandemic halted this rapid growth, however only in 2020, after which Poland returned to its previous fast track of development. 

„Anti-Semitism has existed for thousands of years. Who looks for it, will find it. I don’t look for it. I can say that in Rzeszów and in Rymanów I feel very good. I do not feel unwanted, but just the opposite” – writes Małka Shacham DORON