History
The Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) is a charity set up in 1964 by the Polish exiled community in the UK, at the initiative of a great social visionary, Professor Roman Wajda, Chair of the Association of Polish Engineers in Great Britain. His intention was to set up a non-profit self-financing commercial framework with charitable status, within which Polish culture and science can be promoted without the interference of the Communist regime in Poland. Professor Wajda and his colleagues came from that generation of Polish exiles who had survived of World War Two either under German occupation, or in Siberian labour camps, or fighting alongside the British Armed Forces, but who found themselves stranded in the UK without a country after the Yalta Conference in 1945.
By an Act of Parliament in 1967, POSK took over the ownership of the largest free Polish library outside Poland from the UK government. In 1972 it purchased the current site in King Street Hammersmith to erect a new modern dedicated building which would house, not only that library, but also a theatre, a restaurant, a gallery, meeting rooms, and considerable office space for the many social and cultural organizations in the Polish community.
These organizations included the Federation of Poles in Gt Britain, Polish ex Combatants Association, the Polish Educational Society, which ran more than a hundred Polish Saturday schools throughout the UK, the Association of Polish Engineers, professional theatre groups, and the Polish University Abroad. Unfortunately, the founder, Professor Wajda, died just two weeks before the opening of the newly built Centre in December 1974.
The building was constructed after a massive effort by the whole Polish community, and without any outside funding, to preserve its independence. More than 80,000 books and archive material were rescued and transferred here from their former site in Kensington by a massive community effort in a continuing fleet of private cars. The main motive for the early enrolment of new members of POSK was a desire to offer their earnings, their talent, and their spare time to build this common community hub, which they considered their home away from home.
With time, the Polish community evolved into a second generation of UK Poles, while links with Poland and its culture were strengthened by the intake of new Polish citizens settling in the UK following further social and political upheavals in Poland, including the imposition of martial law in 1982. After 2004, when Poland was admitted into the European Community, the Polish diaspora in the UK was transformed into a much wider one million strong ethnic community of enterprising young Poles entering the labour market and eventually settling here with their new enterprises and new families. POSK and the older organizations housed here adapted to absorb the needs and interests of this vibrant new community. POSK’s original post-war motto was “Poland and free Poles for the benefit of Poland,” but it is now the common home for all Poles in the UK.
POSK has excellent relations with the Polish Embassy in the UK ever since Poland recovered its freedom and independence in 1990. It is the main point of contact for any official British or Polish visitor, including the current Polish President Andrzej Duda, British and Polish prime ministers, London mayors and church leaders. It has been visited three times by His Majesty King Charles III, though in the first two instances he came under his earlier status as Prince of Wales.
The building is accessible by a wide flight of stairs, but with a step-free access alongside the main entrance.
THE ASSOCIATION
From the beginning, the charity and the building have been owned exclusively by its members, currently over 2,500 strong, who pay a lifelong single fee of £60. They elect their Chair and their Council at the Annual General Meeting each year. The day-to-day management of POSK is carried out by a Board of Directors selected from the ranks of the elected Council. The Chair, the Directors and the members of the Council all work on a voluntary basis. Membership is open to any individual or to any organization that agrees with the aims of the Association.
POSK hosts numerous exhibitions, meetings, concerts, opera, film screenings and theatrical performances – both for adults and the youngest. POSK is also the site for the Joseph Conrad Society, the Pilsudski Institute of London and it boasts a very lively Jazz Café which is open to live concerts every weekend. Numerous Polish organizations continue to have their home here: some of them dissolve or transform over time, but new ones arrive, such as the East European Resource Centre or the Polish Psychologists Association.
POSK still maintains this huge edifice mainly from its own funds, earned through a prudent policy of self-sufficiency, from membership fees and through rents from office and apartment tenants. Donations and grants, both from individuals and Polish foundations, help POSK carry out the social and cultural activities for which it was created. It has also benefited from grants from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Department of the Environment under the urban aid scheme.
THE POLISH LIBRARY
Founded during World War Two, the Library which predates the Centre itself, is one of the largest outside Poland and is the largest institution in the building. It is the very raison d’être for the original founding of POSK and is visited by many scholars worldwide for research on Poland’s history and culture and on the Polish community abroad, as well as by the general public to use its reading room and lending facilities.
The Library has more than 200,000 books, 116 boxes of social life records, over 2000 archival collections of personal papers of prominent émigrés and many institutions, as well as historic manuscripts, and more than 60,000 unique photographs, 6000 titles of periodicals and 300 gramophone records. It has more than 5000 publications issued clandestinely by underground movements during Poland’s occupation, the largest in the world . Its Émigré Archive provides advice and access to public resources, including obituary catalogues of more than 40,000 Polish exiles who had lived abroad. The Library is available for research and writing projects by academics, teachers and school children who can be aided by friendly staff.
The Lending Library has a large historical collection of non-fiction books as well as the latest crime and romantic fiction available in printed and online format. Membership costs £20 per year (£15 for pensioners).
The Reading Room has a large collection of newspapers and periodicals from Poland, the UK and other countries. The Circulating Library despatches shelf-ready books in Polish or about Poland to public libraries around the UK. The Conrad Study Centre houses the original first editions of Joseph Conrad’s books in English and in other languages, as well as publications about the author in numerous languages, which are now owned by the Library. Duplicate books can be sold to personal visitors and at quarterly book sales in the POSK foyer or can be exchanged with books in other libraries worldwide.
Contact Phone: 020 8741 0474; email: library@polishlibraryposk.org.uk. Website: www.polishlibrarylondon.co.uk. Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 10am-8pm, Fridays 10am-5pm, each first Saturday of the month 10am-5pm.
THE BOOKSHOP
There is a bookshop on the ground floor which is run by the Polish Educational Society. It offers a wide range of Polish books and books in English about Poland as well as traditional Polish artefact, and it specializes in Polish children’s books and school textbooks.
Telephone: 020 8748 5522; E-mail: bookshop@polskamacierz.org.
Open every day. Monday to Saturday 11.00 to 18.00; Sunday 12.00 to 17.00.
THE POSK THEATRE
The Theatre was opened in 1982 in the last phase of the main building construction. It is the first purpose-built Polish theatre outside Poland, with a professional stage, lighting and sound system. It has a seating capacity of 300. Since opening, the theatre has been used to promote Polish drama in both Polish and English. The theatre repertoire covers a wide spectrum, including plays, concerts, cabarets, opera, poetry evenings, and children’s plays. It is also used by members and by other non-Polish communities for their productions. It has a full-size Steinway grand piano on its stage.
The theatre can also be used as a multi-functional hall for film shows, conferences, meetings, exhibitions, fashion shows, dinner dances and seasonal balls. Catering for these events can be provided on request ranging from simple refreshments to cold and hot buffets, as well as sit down menus.
The theatre offers excellent rehearsal facilities and is used by professional opera companies for the preparation of their productions. It can also be converted for use as a recording studio, with advanced recording equipment. The theatre programme is announced on our information leaflet, which is published monthly in both Polish and English. Please follow details on our website www.posk.org.
THE GALLERY
The Gallery is situated on the ground floor behind front entrance hall. It displays primarily Polish modern and contemporary art focusing on both globally established artists and the young up-and-coming talent. It also shows artists from continental Europe and beyond. Exhibitions feature paintings, graphics, photography, sculpture and art installations, as well as aspects of Polish history.
Open every day from 09.00 to 21.00. Contact: 0208 741 1940. No entrance fee.
PILSUDSKI INSTITUTE OF LONDON
The Institute is on the third floor towards the rear of the building, and was founded in 1947 in order to collect, safeguard and provide access to documents, historic artefacts, and books related to modern Polish history, and in particular those connected to the work and political vision of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, the father of the free Polish state, and his associates. The Institute fosters public engagement by means of exhibitions, lectures, book launches, and celebrations of anniversaries related to Polish history. The Institute emphasises its open character by addressing a wide range of audiences, from scholars to school children, across both the Polish and British communities.
Opening hours Tuesdays: 11.00-19.00 and Thursdays: 11.00-19.00. Closed for lunch break between 13.00 and 14.00.
Contact: 0208 748 6197; Email: instytut@pilsudski.org.uk
THE STUDIO AND JAZZ CAFÉ
The Studio is in the basement of the building and is a very popular jazz venue. It was opened in March 2007, and it has attracted the best Polish, British and European musicians. The POSK Jazz Café is open on Fridays and Saturday evenings for live performances.
On other days the Studio is available for hire for smaller theatrical productions, concerts, dances and discos, private functions, meetings, conferences and staff training. There is a full bar service and catering facilities, for cocktails, buffets and sit down meals.
ŁOWICZANKA RESTAURANT
The Łowiczanka Restaurant (pronounced “wo-vee-chang-ka”) on the first floor provides a wide range of Polish cuisine. Same family firm since 1994. Serves the traditional Polish recipes with a gourmet twist. Regular theme nights and dances, including live music on Saturday nights. The restaurant accepts orders for private parties, weddings, banquets and social gatherings. Seats 150 in main room, and additional 25 in separate smaller room. There is a small bar by the side of the main entrance for a small social meeting or a pre-meal drink.
Contact 07494 134047 contact@lowiczankarestaurant.com.
Hours of opening: Tuesday – Friday - 6.30pm - 10.00pm Weekends - 12.30pm – 01.00am
CAFÉ MAYA
Licensed café accessible from the street through a side entrance by five steps, serving breakfast, Polish lunches, as well as tea or coffee and a wide variety of cold plates and cakes. Owned by Łowiczanka Restaurant.
Hours of opening: Monday – Friday – 9.30am – 9.00pm Weekends - 09.00am – 11.00pm
POSKLUB
POSKlub on the fourth floor came into existence in 1976 as a member’ club. It was popular with older members and was a place to enjoy a simpler cheaper traditional Polish meal. The premises contain a large bar and dining area, Polish satellite television and a large outside terrace with a wide view of London. It is a popular venue during Polish sports events.
Dances are held every Saturday evening. It is also the site of traditional Polish culinary events.
EAST EUROPEAN RESOURCE CENTRE
A service that this POSK tenant can provide to many vulnerable Polish individuals, and even families, that are homeless, or face difficult legal problems, or require welfare and benefit support, or have difficulties with landlords, or face bullying in their place of work, or domestic abuse at home and require discreet professional advice in the Polish, or other Eastern European, language. The EERC, whose offices are in the POSK building, do offer such a service free of charge from Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm. Appointments must be pre-booked by emailing info@eerc.org.uk, or call 07521 857415 (Polish), 07730 021986 (Romanian), 07718 612218 (Ukrainian)
HALLS FOR HIRE
Malinowa Room – Second Floor. Main Hall with stage 275.89 sq m. 200 seats
Tables, chairs, wooden floor, sound system, bar, air conditioning, screen, overhead projector, DVD, television, piano, disabled access, suitable, for meetings, conferences, presentations, parties, weddings, dance classes, rehearsals, music lessons, seminars
Szafirowa Room – Second Floor. 48.72 sq m. – 60 seats
Tables, chairs, piano, screen, overhead projector, DVD, television, disabled access, fully carpeted, suitable for meetings, conferences, presentations, rehearsals, seminars. Walls are decorated with original paintings by émigré artist Mieczyslaw Lurczynski.
Multi-Media Room – Fourth Floor. 41.19 sq m. – 70 seats
Tables, chairs, piano, screen, overhead projector, DVD, television, disabled access, wooden floor suitable for meetings, conferences, presentations, rehearsals, seminars, music lessons
Sala Orłów – Ground Floor – 50 seats
Tables, chairs, wooden floor, sound system, air conditioning, screen, overhead projector, television, suitable for exhibitions, conferences, concerts, music lessons, meetings, rehearsals
Atrium – Third Floor – 90 seats
Table, chairs, wooden floor, sound system, air conditioning, grand piano, screen, overhead projector, television, disabled access, suitable for concerts, music lessons, meetings, conferences, dance lessons, rehearsals
Studio – Basement – 212.64 sq. m. – 150 seats
Tables, chairs, wooden floor on two levels with wide flight of stairs in between, sound system, bar, air conditioning, screen, overhead projector, television, piano, small stage, disabled access to lower floor, suitable for concerts, parties, weddings, music lessons, meetings, conferences, seminars, dance classes. Not available Fridays and Saturdays.
Theatre - Stage - 101 sq. m. – 300 seats
Dressing Rooms, stage lighting, sound system, Steinway grand piano, screen, DVD, television, box office, disabled access, suitable for concerts, shows, presentations, meetings, parties, conferences, seminars,
For further enquiries and prices: 0208 741 1940.
Dear Editor,
On reading Anne McElvoy's piece " Washington-Moscow reset begins" 18/02/25. I reflected on the unexpected comparison behind the potential destiny of Mihail Gorbachev and Donald Trump. One was the unexpected catalyst for the dismemberment of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union, even though that was not his intention. The latter could well be the catalyst for the dismemberment of NATO and the EU though that was not necessarily his intention either.
The difference was that the collapse of the Soviet bloc was a blow for freedom, while the latter's destructive efforts could lead to the extinguishing of freedom.
Yours faithfully
Wiktor Moszczynski
