Delhi University recently marked the 55th anniversary of its Polish Studies programme with a grand celebration. This milestone event highlighted not only the history of the Polish language being taught at the university but also the growing bilateral relations, strengthened further by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Poland earlier this year in August—the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 45 years.
Sebastian Domzalski, the Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in India, told The Sunday Guardian, “This year we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and India, and the highlight of the celebration was the significant visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Poland, making the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 1979. During this visit, we discussed a broad range of topics, including the promotion of cultural and linguistic exchanges. Language continues to serve as an important bridge between Poland and India.”
On the occasion, Dr. Tatiana Szurlej gave an engaging presentation on the history of Polish language teachers at Delhi University, recounting the legacy of pioneers such as Agnieszka Kowalska-Soni, Maria Krzysztof Byrski, Artur Karp, and many others who have enriched the lives of Indian students. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the academic community and on the cross-cultural ties between India and Poland. The event, held at the university’s prestigious Arts Faculty, drew a large audience of diplomats, scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Polish culture, including Prof. Amitava Chakraborty, HOD, and the former HODs, Prof. Ranjana Saxena and Prof. Neelakshi Suryanarayan, among others.
The event also included speeches from various academic leaders as well as from Dr. Magdalena Filipczuk, Action Director, Polish Institute New Delhi, who took the audience on a journey through the history of the programme, highlighting how the teaching of Polish at Delhi University has evolved over the decades. “It started with a small group of enthusiastic students, and today, it has grown into a well-established academic discipline. Our graduates have contributed to both academic and diplomatic circles, playing key roles in enhancing the understanding of Polish culture in India,” Dr. Filipczuk noted. Her words struck a chord with the audience, particularly students who were reminded of the rich heritage they are a part of.
Dr. Filipczuk’s speech also paid tribute to the past and current faculty who has been instrumental in shaping the department. “While today is a celebration of our programme’s achievements, it is also a tribute to the dedication and passion of all the teachers who have been part of this journey. Their tireless efforts have made Polish studies an integral part of the curriculum at Delhi University,” she said, before shifting focus to the broader cultural and educational implications of the programme’s success.
Another significant voice at the event was that of Krzysztof Hoffmann, Assistant Professor, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland. He delivered two lectures as part of his visit to India. “My lectures at the University of Delhi were organized in collaboration with the Polish Institute. First one focused on The Witcher. Today, the character is a celebrity of the Polish origin. He is the protagonist of the hit Netflix series as well as computer games produced by the Polish studio, CD Projekt. Both turned out to be not only a commercial success but also critically acclaimed phenomena. The game won the Game of the Year Award. Most importantly, The Witcher was born on the pages of the books by Andrzej Sapkowski.” He further added, “The second lecture intended to encourage students to explore Polish music – including rock and jazz, for instance Krzysztof Komeda who wrote the scores for Roman Polanski’s movies.”
As part of the anniversary celebrations, a curtain raiser for an upcoming exhibition was also shown. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Polish-Indian diplomatic relations, the Polish Institute in New Delhi, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, is organizing a significant exhibition titled ‘Safe Haven: Poles in India during World War II.’ The exhibition, based on archival materials and consisting of around 20 boards, will showcase the experiences of Poles deported from the Eastern Borderlands during World War II and the crucial role India played in providing a safe haven for those evacuated from the USSR under the Majski-Sikorski pact of 1941.
The exhibition will particularly highlight the assistance offered by Maharaja Jam Shri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Sahib Bahadur of Nawanagar, who sheltered over a thousand Polish children between 1942 and 1946. “This part of history is a testament to the deep bond that exists between Poland and India,” remarked Dr. Magdalena Filipczuk, the exhibition’s curator. “The generosity shown by the Maharaja and the Indian princely states went beyond cultural, religious, and social differences, embodying values of understanding and respect,” she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Poland in August 2024, also emphasized this historical connection, highlighting the care extended to Polish children in India during World War II. The exhibition, set to open on November 20, 2024, in New Delhi, will later be displayed at the Archaeological Museum in Jamnagar in early 2025 for an extended period.
“We aim to make this exhibition a remarkable highlight of the 70th anniversary celebrations, marking a significant chapter in our shared history,” Dr. Magdalena noted. She emphasized that the exhibition would not only celebrate this historical bond but also serve as an international event, creating a lasting impact across India.
The day concluded with a reminder of the pivotal role education plays in diplomatic relations, as highlighted throughout the event. The 55th anniversary of the Polish Studies programme at Delhi University is not just a celebration of academic achievements but a testament to the growing bond between India and Poland, reinforced by PM Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Poland in August 2024, which has strongly reiterated the shared belief in the power of education and cultural exchange.