Thursday, 15 November 2018, 3:00pm - 8:00pm

Old Divinity School, St John's College, Cambridge

For the 100th anniversary of the regaining of Poland's independence, Cambridge Polish Studies and the Cambridge University Polish Society are proud to host a very special event to commemorate, discuss and celebrate this historic occasion. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend. Get your free ticket here.

The event will also mark the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in Poland, also in November 1918.

The event will include two panel discussions: (1) on the role of women in Polish independence movements of various eras, and (2) on the changing meaning of national independence today in an increasingly connected and globalised world. The event will conclude with a musical performance from folk group Sutari and a celebratory drinks reception for all attendees.

Participants will include:

Annabelle Chapman, The Economist magazine

Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, former Minister for Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland

Jakub Krupa, Polish Press Agency (PAP), London

Jakub Majmurek, Gazeta Wyborcza daily newspaper

Marcin Makowski, Do Rzeczy magazine and Wirtualna Polska

Barbara Nowacka, social activist and leader of the Poland Initiative party

Ursula Phillips, University College London

Bartłomiej Radziejewski, Nowa Konfederacja opinion journal

Agata Szczęśniak, OKO.press and Krytyka Polityczna opinion journal

See below for a detailed programme.

The event will be hosted by Stanley Bill, Senior Lecturer in Polish Studies at Cambridge, and Simon Szreter, Professor of History and Fellow of St John's College.

The event will conclude with a concert from Polish modern folk group Sutari.​

Full Event Programme

3:00pm:    Opening – Stanley Bill and Simon Szreter

3:15pm:    Women and Independence – Annabelle Chapman (moderator), Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Ursula Phillips, Agata Szczęśniak

4:30pm:    Refreshments

5:00pm:    The Meaning of Independence – Jakub Krupa (moderator), Jakub Majmurek, Marcin Makowski, Barbara Nowacka, Bartłomiej Radziejewski

6:30pm:    Concert – Sutari

7:00pm:    Drinks reception

We thank the Polish Cultural Institute in London for their kind support of the event.