WELCOME TO OGNISKO POLSKIE - THE POLISH HEARTH
Ognisko Polskie - the Polish Hearth is one of London’s oldest Polish Clubs which today hosts a variety of theatrical, musical and other cultural events.
Founded in 1939 to maintain the cohesion of the free Polish community in the United Kingdom during the Second World War, it went on to become the centre of social and cultural life for the Polish community in exile. It has since served to provide a home for Poles to meet and build friendships, as a place where Polish culture and history is kept alive and where Polish identity and independence are maintained.
80th Anniversary of the victory of the battle of Monte Cassino
2024 marks the 80th Anniversary of the victory of the battle of Monte Cassino by the soldiers from the Polish II Corps under Generał Władysław Anders. The Battle of Monte Cassino during the Italian Campaign in World War II began with an assault by the allies on 17 January 1944. It was one of the most iconic and brutal battles of the War but on 18 May 1944, a Polish flag followed by the British Union Jack were raised over the ruins of the monastery.
Many veterans could not return to Poland as a result of the Yalta agreement and found their new home in the British Isles and at Ognisko Polskie, including Generał Anders, his wife, Irena Anders (Renata Bogdańska), Feliks Konarski pseud.Ref-Ren who famously wrote the lyrics of the iconic song “Czerwone Maki na Monte Cassino”
As part of this Anniversary, Ognisko Polskie has created a series of podcasts which inlcude interviews with veterans, historians and excerpts of diaries of those that fought in the battle.
The link directly to the podcast player is here:
Do not miss any further episodes. You can subscribe to Ognisko Polskie Monte Cassino 80th anniversary via your favourtie platform:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Pocket Casts
OUR PATRON: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT
The Duke and Duchess of Kent had visited Poland in 1937 and had close links and friendships with members of the Polish aristocracy. After the start of the Second World War, the Duke showed his support for the country by bestowing his patronage of Ognisko Polskie under it's original name of the Polish House after its inauguration on the 16th July 1940.
Portrait of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent by Barbara Kaczmarowska Hamilton
CLUB EVENTS
Ognisko Polskie holds a wide range of events including cultural, historical, musical and literary and social events as well as commemorating important Polish Anniversaries such as National Independence Day on November 11th. Most events are open to non-members who are always very welcome at the club.
Events Calendar
11.01.2025: Live Jazz - Concert with Tomasz Zyrmont
22.01.2025: Book Talk - 'The Suspicion of Spies' by Tim Spicer
03.02.2025: Musical Moments
14.02.2025: Valentine's Day Concert with Kris Louis Siemiński
16.02.2025: KinoKlub - 'Chłopi'
23.02.2025: Annual General Meeting
Further events information can be found - HERE
CLUB
Email: Office@OgniskoPolskie.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7589 4670
HOW TO FIND US
The entrance to the club and restaurant is 55 Exhibition Road. Travel information and a map can be found - HERE
NEWSLETTER
Please sign up to receive our weekly newsletter informing you about news and events - HERE
RESTAURANT
Email: info@ogniskorestaurant.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7589 0101
Website: www.ogniskorestaurant.co.uk