THE POLISH LECTURE SERIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA By Dr. Michel S. Pawlowski Member of the Board of Directors and Polish Studies Chair, AIPC
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he University of Virginia’s Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (CREEES) again offered a collection of high-quality lectures in its Polish Lecture Series. Endowed through the kind generosity of Lady Blanka Rosenstiel and the American Institute of Polish Culture, and run by CREEES in consultation with Associate Professor Dariusz Tolczyk of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures and the Corcoran Department of History. The Series sponsors a variety of Polishthemed talks that expose American students and the Central Virginia community to the riches of Polish culture, history, and politics, and gives the University of Virginia the ability to invite leading North American and European scholars in all areas relating to Polonia and Poland. The Peasant Prince1
integrity by receiving the Order of Cincinnatus from General George Washington. The Society of the Cincinnati, an organization in the United States and France was founded in 1783, to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the Revolutionary War officers who fought for American independence. General Washington was elected the first President General of the Society. After the American Revolutionary War, Thaddeus Kosciuszko led a Polish uprising against the Russian Empire. He was such an inspiration that Thomas Jefferson called him, “as pure a son of liberty, as I have ever known.” In his will, Kosciuszko bequeathed his property for the emancipation and education of African-American slaves and named Jefferson the executor, but after he died, Jefferson walked away from this obligation. Kosciuszko’s Will was never
On April 7, 2016, the Spring Lecture series sponsored by the American Institute of Polish Culture (AIPC) at the University of Virginia (UVA), founded by President Thomas Jefferson, opened with a riveting film and lecture with questions and answers on Kosciuszko, A Man Ahead of His Time. Alex Storozynski, President Emeritus & Vice Chairman of the Board of The Kosciuszko Foundation, produced and directed the film based upon his book, The Peasant Prince. Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution. His film was originally featured on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in October 2015. It is important to point out that Alex Storozynski is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, an editorial board Dr. Michel S. Pawlowski, Pastor Marilu J. Thomas, Mr. Alex Storozynski, member at the New York Daily News, the Prof. Dariusz Tolczyk, Prof. Jeffrey Rossman founding editor of amNew York, and a former city editor and contributing editor to The New York Sun. AIPC was enacted. Mr. Storozynski’s discussion as well as the film brought all very pleased to showcase Mr. Storozynski’s work as part of the UVA of the above to light, especially Kosciuszko’s concern for the plight of Polish Lecture Series. the slaves and his contributions to America’s war for independence Professor Dariusz Tolczyk introduced Alex Storozynski to the from Britain. packed auditorium of students, faculty, community members and Alex Storozynski was thrilled with the interest and reception visitors from Monticello. All attendees intently watched and listened given him by the UVA community. He pointed out that Kosciuszko to the film and the lecture, and a lively question and answer session was a very important aspect of both Polish and American history; followed. Mr. Storozynski also signed copies of his book. he is an example to all of humanity. Besides his memorable The film and Mr. Storozynski’s discussion focused on the fact military service and his stand on abolishing slavery, Kosciuszko that Thaddeus Kosciuszko fought in the American Revolution and also supported the establishment of a military academy for the for independence and was recognized for his courage, valor and U.S., which exists today at West Point. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic position in America and personally selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko in 1776 1 In addition to the Film/Discussion/Lecture, supplementary historical information was included to design its fortifications.2 Today there is a monument dedicated from UVA publicity flyer on “Kosciuszko: A Man Ahead of His Time;” “Order of Cincinnatus” [Wikipedia]; “West Point History”, http://www.usma.edu/wphistory/sitepages/home.aspx; “Thomas Jefferson” [Wikipedia]; “The Peasant Prince/Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution,” Alex Storozynski, St. Martins Press, 2010.
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Good News
Kosciuszko never learned that the Military Academy he so vigorously promoted for years would be placed in the fortress that he built to fight the American Revolutionary War at West Point.
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