Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Poland

Poland is one of those countries in Europe that many people don’t know much about. So, in order to help the world, learn more about Poland. We bring you the 10 things you didn’t know about Poland.

10: Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

By far the most politically and historically significant structure in the history of Poland. No discussion about Poland will be possible without discussing the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth existed from the years 1569 to 1795 and could be classified as a dualistic state and confederation. What is also interesting is that the Commonwealth was marked by high levels of ethnic diversity. But simultaneously a great degree of religious tolerance. Some did it once again as a rarity in those days which is formalizing the Warsaw confederation act of 1573.

In addition to its political innovations, the Commonwealth was a great source for the fusion of east orthodox. And Latin culture created many timeless pieces of art music the likes of which could not be found in western Europe. However, as with all great political experiments, it too fell to the ravages of time and became increasingly weaker and less prosperous. Which leads to the partition in the 18th century by Austria, Prussia, and the Russian empire.

9: Catholicism in Poland

When compared to much of the rest of contemporary Europe? One thing about Poland that immediately comes to light is just how much more religious and in particular Catholic Poland as a nation. While it is true that such places have Spain and Italy are nominally Catholic? They lack the same solemnity and earnestness that Poles bring to the table when it comes to Christianity. Fully 87.5% of the population is Catholic with almost as many regularly attending church services. This is as much a historical legacy as it is a near-contemporary one. So, in many ways, a strong Catholic feeling of many poles serves as a counterpoint to decades-long suppression and intolerance towards them by a foreign alien power embodied by the Soviet Union.

8: Indomitable Spirit of Poland

Polish people are tough cookies and have had to deal with a lot of abuse, whenever they have left their native Poland. When Polish immigrants came to the US, they encountered massive obstacles in the form of prejudice and bias. Especially When it came to hiring for jobs, exclusion from participation in public activities, and more. Recent polls in the United Kingdom have faced Bias and persecution in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. While at the same time being both hard-working and reliable. This combination leads to resentment and distrust. Throughout time the polls have shown themselves to have an indomitable spirit that can face any challenge. This is just one more in their long history.

7: CD Projekt Red

It might be surprising but what is possibly the greatest game developer in the history of game development is based in Poland. Most prominently known for their in-game realization of the series of books revolving around The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia written by the Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. CD Projekt Red goes beyond Call of Duty to bring the player the total gaming experience that every gamer dream of. CD Projekt Red gives its customers high-quality DLC that is free. Founder Mancini whiskey has publicly shared with the honest and dedicated work ethic CD Projekt Red brings to the table makes shareholders often want to leave. But he and his team stick to their guns. Because they know their quality and reputation for integrity will keep CD Projekt Red successful for decades to come. And will always command the true respect of PC gamers everywhere.

6: Polish Food

Not many people know about Polish food but it is both delicious and unique. One of the most fascinating and tasty foods from Poland is the famous smoked cheese called oskibeck. Which is a type of cheese made from salted sheep milk? And originally stands for the Tatra mountains of Poland. Another delicacy is the diverse range of sausages collectively referred to as kielbasa. Here you can get everything you imagine from smoked sausage to air-dried sausage to blood sausage and more. If you like it sweet something you certainly will want to try is the Polish sweet that resembles a doughnut called Paschke. That is deep-fried dough covered in sugar powder iseen or orange zest. Whatever your palate, you will definitely find something to your liking in Polish cuisine.

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5: Poland in World War II

The poles are tough people and they have had to be lowered it is rarely talked about. The devastation brought to the Polish population during World War II was enormous. The national socialists had a mandate that considers the Slavic people so-called Untermenschen or figuratively translated nether-people. And in the desire for Lievens home sought the acquisition of Poland and the destruction of the Polish people.

In fact, Nazi crimes claimed the lives of close to 2.77 million, ethnic poles were often murdered in the most brutal fashion. Sometimes by firing squad and sometimes in concentration camps. Many simply died of slave labor and disease. Systematic ethnic cleansing of the Polish people was an important objective of the national socialists. Is exemplified in this quotation by Heinrich Himmler who stated the following in March of 1940. “All Polish specialists will be exploited in our military-industrial complex. Later, all polls will disappear from this world. It is imperative that the great German nation considers the elimination of all Polish people as its chief task”. This period was a dark chapter in Polish history and the Polish people bear scars. Nonetheless remain silently stoic on when the topic is broached.

4: Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinski

Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinski is one of the most interesting men to ever arise from modern Poland. A direct descendant of the Polish Szlachta. He has had tremendous influence over the course of American politics and foreign policy. In the 1950s and 1960s, he formulated powerful ideas on how to counter Soviet influence in the Eastern Bloc countries including the country of his birth Poland. Often butting heads against such giants as Dwight Eisenhower who favored aggressive antagonism. Whereas he favored a peaceful non-antagonistic approach to the Eastern Bloc after witnessing eastern Europe’s own resistance against the Soviets embodied in such events as the Polish October and the Hungarian Revolution.

In later years, he was instrumental in helping to fund and form the Afghan Mujahidin network in the 1980s, in an effort to counter the Soviets. He has been highly critical of American foreign policy in the wake of 911 considering it unsubtle and poorly executed. It is unlikely that any other Polish person has had the same impact on the United States and by extension the world as this man has.

3: Exceptional Educational Standards of Poland

Despite the image of Poland being some type of backwater country? Polish people are among the most educated people in the world with over 90% of poles completing secondary education. In over 50% of them have an academic degree. Polls also outperform Americans in every test of illiteracy, numerical competence, and mathematics. In addition, the Polish economy has been growing increasingly stronger. Poland is one of the few countries in Europe with a positive outlook on the future base on a rational assessment of the current state of affairs.

2: Pope John Paul II

Perhaps the most famous pope of the 20th century, Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła was of Polish origin. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pius a 9th. He was also the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century. An incredibly talented linguist Pope John Paul II spoke as many as 12 languages. He had mastery in Polish, Latin, German, Spanish, Italian, French, English, Portuguese, Slovak, Ukrainian, Esperanto, and Serbo-Croatian, languages. Which he frequently used when he was in office. John Paul was known for his virtue and pacifism. While at the seminary in Poland in the 1940s, managed to aid in saving many victims of the Nazis. Pope John Paul II was canonized in April of 2014 and raised to sainthood, a fitting legacy for this quiet yet courageous man.

1: Migration Crisis of Poland

The Polish have had to deal with a great many things during the course of their history Ottomans, Nazis, the oppressive shadow of the Soviets, and more. All this has taken its toll on them. While, good and honest people, polls generally do not trust outsiders and are distrustful of foreigners. In the wake of the migration crisis, Poland was one of the few countries to receive almost no refugees, with vocal opposition coming from many poles against mandates. With all the burdens of their past and what appears to be a fairly bright future in Poland. It is no wonder why many poles have this conservative cautious attitude, for as they say, ‘caution wins the day.

So, there you have it, the 10 things you didn’t know about Poland. What do you say about Poland? Let us know in the comments down below. Thanks, and Bye for now.