Upcoming Events

This lecture considers the problem of the cultural value of political mystifications, forgeries, and appropriations. In doing so, I will focus on the historical and ideological contexts (in particular, the role of the Communist International in Moscow) of one of the most popular “songs of protest,” which was published by the American folklorist and pro-Communist activist from a Jewish-Hungarian family Lawrence Gellert’s (1898-1979) in his influential collection of African-American political songs (1936). In the 1930s, the song was translated into several languages and published in various left-wing periodicals, set to music, illustrated, performed in various countries, choreographed, interrogated by the American government as a part of “the propagandistic play,” and, all in all, embodied the anti-religious nature of a revolutionary new genre of song created by Black Americans. It eventually became an integral part of many communist singers’ repertoire (from Paul Robeson, William Bowers, and Pete Seeger to Ernst Busch). In this lecture, I show that the poem itself was both an ideological construct and a significant cultural fact which helped to introduce a new musical genre and secretly promoted the Soviet political agenda of the mid-1930s.

October is the month of Parliamentary Elections in Eastern Europe’s powerhouse, Poland. On 15 October, the electorate stands at a crossroads and our invited panelists will discuss the path the Polish voters will have chosen. In addition to the implications for Poland, our panelists will discuss what the election results mean for relations with Poland’s neighbors, Ukraine in particular. And given that Brussels has repeatedly drawn attention to Polish democratic backsliding under the current government, this CoE will ask what the election means for the EU? Moderators are:
Randall Halle, University of Pittsburgh
Paweł Lewicki, University of Pittsburgh Panelists are:
Jan Kubik, Rutgers University/University College of London
Michal Kotnarowski, Polish Academy of Sciences
Monika Nalepa, University of Chicago

The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation will host a public piano performance of Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Mussorgsky at PNC Recital Hall at Duquesne University on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 3 p.m. to benefit the foundation’s youth programs in Poland and Ukraine. Pianists David Allen Wehr and Dr. Robert Armstrong look forward to delighting music enthusiasts with several selections highlighting the expressiveness of the Romantic period and, particularly, Frédéric Chopin’s genius contribution to Polish and musical history. A brief overview of Chopin’s life and work will also be included in the program. Ticket price: $25 / $10 for students
Available for purchase here: bit.ly/ChopinRecital or contacting the Kosciuszko Foundation at mlellena@zoominterest.net. All proceeds benefit the foundation’s ongoing Teaching English in Poland (TEIP) program for Ukrainian Children and disadvantaged Polish youth.

Through experiential learning, high school students engage directly with global issues by assuming the role of world leaders and negotiating responses to timely topics.

How did Jewish children conceal their presence during the Holocaust and what effect did hiding have on child survivors? This talk will expand the story of Krakow Jews as told in the film "Schindler's List" by zooming in on Jewish children's experiences and what that conveys about the German occupation of Krakow, Poland.

Come practice your Hungarian speaking skills and meet other individuals who are interested in the language. All levels are welcome!