Polish Cultural and Educational Union


Polski Związek Kulturalno-Oświatowy is a Polish organization in the Czech Republic. It represents the Polish minority in the Czech Republic together with the Congress of Poles. PZKO is the largest Polish organization with largest membership in the Czech Republic, although the number of members is decreasing as a result of demographic decline of the Polish community.

History

Before World War II there was a myriad of various Polish organizations. When PZKO organization was founded, in 1947, creating of other Polish organizations was prohibited. It was the only organization representing the Polish minority in the communist era, therefore it was under strong influence of the Communist Party. PZKO gained monopolist position, and was responsible for all activities related to the Poles, as other Polish organizations have been banned. Eventually, PZKO became more under influence of the Communist Party, being incorporated by authorities into the communist National Front in the 1950s. During the 1960s, reformists began to have stronger voice, but after the Prague Spring of 1968, purges were conducted, and reformists were fired from their positions. Ernest Sembol, chairman of the General Committee of PZKO was also fired. The so-called Normalization Era had begun, and PZKO was under even stronger influence of the Communist authorities. After the Velvet Revolution, in 1990, PZKO exonerated people discriminated after 1968, including most noted personalities: Jan Rusnok, Henryk Jasiczek, Wiesław Adam Berger, Tadeusz Siwek and Ernest Sembol.

Activities

The goals of PZKO are to promote and shield various cultural and educational activities of the Polish minority. PZKO organizes and supports many activities, including clubs, lectures, concerts, excursions, dance, music and folklore groups, choirs, art groups, exhibitions, various sport and social activities etc. The largest and most famous event shielded by the organization, is the annual Gorolski Święto, in Jablunkov, another large event organized by PZKO is Festiwal PZKO. PZKO also closely cooperates with Polish schools in Zaolzie, and with the Polish Scene of Cieszyn Theatre, in Český Těšín.
For its activities PZKO was awarded several awards, including the Wojciech Korfanty Award in 2001 for achievements and merits in preserving the Polishness of Silesia.
PZKO comprises local branches, called MKs which exist in almost all municipalities and villages in Zaolzie. Most of these local branches have their own buildings, known as Domy PZKO, which serve as a place of various cultural and other events.
General Committee is housed in Český Těšín. Its current chairman is Helena Legowicz.

Statistics

YearLocal branchesMembers
1947797,296
19497911,214
19528013,046
1955-16,170
19609217,780
19659219,994
19679220,656
19709220,858
19759423,449
19809424,237
19859523,701
19889523,171
19909523,070
19939320,825
19959220,200
19969119,573
20078412,300

Chairmen of the ZG (General Committee)