Polish Institute of Culture & Research

06/17/2026

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

One night only. Free event.

Fresh from a packed screening in Liverpool, England, “Covenant of Blood: The Last Soldiers of World War II” comes to Orchard Lake for its North American premiere.

Discover the powerful story of Poland's Cursed Soldiers, who continued their fight for freedom long after World War II ended, and experience an additional screening of “947 Days in Auschwitz”, the extraordinary story of Witold Pilecki.

Meet filmmaker Patrick Ney following the screening during a special discussion and reception.

Saturday, June 20, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Galeria at Orchard Lake Schools

Free Will Donation

Reserve your seat today: www.picrol.org

Bring a friend. Share this post. Help us give this important premiere the audience it deserves.

- Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs

The Polish Institute of Culture & Research organizes programs, courses and events that promote Polish and Polish American culture and accomplishments, and maintains a repository for artifacts, archival materials, works of art, and publications. The Polish Institute of Culture & Research recognizes t...

06/12/2026

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE • JUNE 20

What happens when World War II officially ends, but the fight for freedom is only beginning?

Watch the trailer for „Covenant of Blood: The Last Soldiers of World War II” and discover the extraordinary true story of the Polish resistance fighters who refused to surrender to communist oppression.

Join us on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Galeria at Orchard Lake Schools for this one-night-only event.

The evening will also feature „947 Days in Auschwitz”, a moving documentary connected to the remarkable story of Witold Pilecki, the man who voluntarily entered Auschwitz to organize resistance and report the truth to the world.

Meet filmmaker Patrick Ney (UK), participate in a live Q&A, and enjoy a complimentary reception following the screening.

Admission is free. Free-will donations are appreciated.

Register today at www.picrol.org.

Watch the trailer below and help us spread the word by sharing this post. Let’s give this remarkable North American premiere the audience it deserves.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S2uG7sTMWy4&pp=0gcJCUACo7VqN5tD

-Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs


Subscribe to the channel here 👉 http://bit.ly/2odF8FE

06/09/2026

The Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake joins the Polish American community in mourning the passing of Antoni Walawender.

Mr. Walawender was a man of integrity, kindness, and quiet generosity whose lifelong commitment to preserving Polish heritage and serving others left a lasting mark on Orchard Lake and the broader Polonia community. We are deeply grateful for his friendship, leadership, and example. His legacy will continue to inspire, and he will be greatly missed.

We extend our heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences to his family and all who knew and loved him.

Wieczny odpoczynek racz Mu dać, Panie,
a światłość wiekuista niech Mu świeci.
Niech odpoczywa w pokoju wiecznym. Amen.

06/07/2026

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

One night only.

Fresh from a packed screening in Liverpool, England, “Covenant of Blood: The Last Soldiers of World War II” comes to Orchard Lake for its North American premiere.

Discover the powerful story of Poland's Cursed Soldiers, who continued their fight for freedom long after World War II ended, and experience an additional screening of “947 Days in Auschwitz”, the extraordinary story of Witold Pilecki.

Meet filmmaker Patrick Ney following the screening during a special discussion and reception.

Saturday, June 20, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Galeria at Orchard Lake Schools

Free Will Donation

Reserve your seat today: www.picrol.org

Bring a friend. Share this post. Help us give this important premiere the audience it deserves.

- Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs

The Polish Institute of Culture & Research also known as the Polish Mission promotes Polish culture, history, language and research as an integral part of the Orchard Lake Schools.

06/06/2026

This weekend, step into the story of Michigan Polonia.

The Galeria at Orchard Lake offers a special sneak preview of our newest exhibition, created through a remarkable collaboration between the Polish Media Center and the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake. More than an exhibit, it is a tribute to generations of families who built communities, preserved their faith, celebrated their culture, and passed on their Polish heritage with pride.

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States, this exhibition reflects on the enduring contributions of Poles and Polish Americans across Michigan, with a special focus on Metro Detroit. Many of the photographs on display come not only from our own archives but from the treasured personal collections of local Polonia families, each image preserving a moment that might otherwise have been lost to time.

With the vision of editor Alicja Karlic and the meticulous curatorial work of Galeria Manager Elijah Majeski, along with the dedicated efforts of Mietek Oniskiewicz, Alina Klin, and many volunteers and contributors, these stories now come together in one place for all to experience.

Join us for a special preview today, Saturday, June 6, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. following the 4:30 p.m. Mass in the Grotto as part of the Orchard Lake Schools Founders Day celebration.

The Galeria will also be open on Sunday, June 7, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. during First Polish Sunday.

Bring your family. Find familiar faces. Share memories. Celebrate the generations that helped shape Michigan's Polish story and become part of the next chapter.

P.S. We were honored to welcome the Orchard Lake Schools Class of 1966 as the first guests to experience the exhibition. Led by Vice Regent Joe Majcher, the alumni enjoyed a special preview and guided tour with Dr. John Radzilowski, Director of the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake. It was a fitting first audience for an exhibit dedicated to preserving the stories, memories, and legacy of Michigan Polonia for future generations.

-Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs

06/06/2026

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Polish race car driver Tymek Kucharczyk, who celebrated on the victors’ podium, placing 3rd at the Detroit Grand Prix’s Indy NXT, and then joined Richard Walawender and Waldek Raczkowski after the race at the Polish Consulate in Detroit.

🏆 Gratulacje! Piąte podium Tymka w sezonie Indy NXT! W przyszłym tygodniu odbędzie się wyścig w Midland, Illinois. Powodzenia!

05/25/2026

Amerykanie dzisiaj obchodzą Dzień Pamięci (pierwotnie znany jako Dzień Dekoracji). To federalne święto w Stanach Zjednoczonych, którego celem jest uhonorowanie żołnierzy, którzy zginęli podczas pełnienia służby w siłach zbrojnych

05/24/2026

Big announcement on the U.S. Premiere of Covenant of Blood! 🇺🇸🇵🇱

We are thrilled to announce that the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake will host the North American Premiere of Covenant of Blood: The Last Soldiers of WWII on Saturday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Galeria at Orchard Lake Schools, Michigan.

This powerful documentary by Patrick Ney and Stefan Tompson explores the tragic and often forgotten story of Poland’s anti communist underground resistance after World War II, the “Cursed Soldiers” who continued fighting for a free Poland long after 1945.

Guests will also experience a special additional 15 minute documentary feature, 947 Days of Auschwitz, offering a moving and deeply human reflection on one of history’s darkest chapters.

We are honored to bring this important work to North America and to continue sharing stories that preserve truth, memory, and the Polish experience.

To register:
https://picrol.org/calendar/north-american-premiere/

Can’t attend? Tag someone who can.

See you in Orchard Lake

-Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs

05/24/2026

From Kyiv to Orchard Lake: An Afternoon That Moved the Galeria

Today, the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake was honored to welcome acclaimed Ukrainian pianist Tetiana Shafran for a breathtaking concert presented in partnership with the American Romanian Festival.

Associate Director for Polonia Affairs Ania Bieciuk welcomed guests and offered special recognition to those joining us from the Polish, Ukrainian, and Romanian communities. Moments like these remind us of the power of culture, music, and community to bring people together across borders and traditions.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Marian Tănău, Founder and CEO of the American Romanian Festival, for this meaningful partnership and for bringing such extraordinary talent to Orchard Lake. Marian shared with guests that he had personally picked Tetiana up from the airport yesterday following her arrival in the United States. During the drive, a plane passed overhead and Tetiana instinctively ducked, quietly remarking that it sounded like the Russian bombers that terrorize the skies over Ukraine at night. It was a deeply human and sobering reminder of the reality so many Ukrainians continue to endure.

Tetiana came to us directly from Kyiv as part of her ten-day tour of the United States, and we are profoundly grateful that the Galeria was among her first stops.

Her artistry was extraordinary. Audiences were visibly moved as she performed works by Beethoven, Chopin, Busoni, and beautifully distinctive works by Mykola Lysenko and George Enescu . Many sat with eyes closed, fully immersed in the music and emotion of each movement. Following a standing ovation and encore, Tetiana concluded the afternoon with Chopin’s Nocturnes, Op. 62.

A reception followed the concert, allowing guests to gather in fellowship and experience our current exhibition, “The Story of Poland in Posters,” whose final day on view was today. The exhibition, drawn entirely from the Polish Institute’s own collection, offered yet another reminder of the richness of the cultural treasures preserved here at Orchard Lake.

Programming like this is unique and deeply special. It gives artists like Tetiana a home and a stage, while offering our community meaningful cultural experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere. We encourage all who value these moments to continue supporting the arts and attending the programs we are privileged to host in the Galeria.

Thank you, Tetiana Shafran.

And thank you to the American Romanian Festival for your remarkable partnership.

-Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs

Photos: Ania Bieciuk and Alina Klin