Episode 1: Poland What can we expect in this episode? This episode begins with some facts about Poland, followed by a summary of the country's history. Then follows a more detailed journey through Poland's history, which ends with the new times when Poland has become a member of NATO, the EU, and the Schengen area. Furthermore, tourism today is described, and it concludes with a summary of nine of the country's largest tourist attractions. This episode is dedicated to Ole Jensby, Copenhagen. Facts about Poland: The Republic of Poland is a country in the central part of Europe. Poland has mainland borders to the west with Germany, to the south with the Czech Republic & Slovakia, to the east with Ukraine & Belarus, to the northeast with Lithuania & Russia (aka Kaliningrad), and the Baltic Sea to the north, where Poland has a sea border with Denmark and Sweden. Area: 312,696 km² and thus the 9th largest country in Europe and the 69th largest country in the world. Population: Approximately 40,000,000 (in 2023), which is the 33rd most populous country in the world. Capital: Warsaw. Language: Polish, one of the West Slavic languages. In addition, there are small groups who speak Yiddish, German, Kashubian, Belarusian, Ukrainian and Russian, as well as Romani (spoken by Roma). Currency: Zloty (abbreviated as PLN). Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Zloty. Coins: 1, 2 and 5 Zloty. 1 Zloty = 100 Groszy. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Groszy. --- Summary: Historical timeline of Poland: Poland's history is marked by the country's struggle for independence, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. In the period from 1914 to the present day, Poland has undergone significant changes and challenges, including the destruction of the First World War, nationalism, and anti-Semitism, the horrors of the Second World War and the subsequent Soviet occupation. During the First World War, Poland was occupied by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. After the war, Poland restored its independence and became a sovereign state. However, this was short-lived as the country was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II, leading to the deaths of millions of Poles, including Jews who were targeted for extermination. After the war, Poland was liberated by the Soviet Union, and a communist government was established, leading to a period of political repression and economic hardship that lasted for several decades. In the 1980s, Poland was hit by a wave of protests and strikes led by the Solidarity movement demanding political reforms and greater freedoms. The government responded with violence, but the movement continued to grow in strength, leading to free elections in 1989 and the end of communist rule in Poland. In 2004, Poland became a member of the European Union, which brought significant benefits such as access to a larger marketplace, increased investment, and greater political and economic integration with other countries in the region. Poland also became a member of the Schengen area, which has made travel within the EU much easier for Polish citizens and has helped promote greater cultural and economic exchange between Poland and other countries in the region. However, Poland faces significant challenges in the early 2020s, including political polarization, threats to democratic institutions, and a growing sense of nationalism and xenophobia. The ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) has been accused of undermining the independence of the courts and the media and of using xenophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric to build support among its base. The government has also been criticised for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to a significant increase in cases and deaths in the country. These challenges have led to tensions between Poland and the EU, leading to a number of conflicts and disputes. For example, the EU has raised concerns about the government's attacks on the courts and the independence of the media, and Poland has been threatened with sanctions if the situation does not improve. In addition, Poland's resistance to accepting refugees and immigrants has led to conflicts with other EU countries, and Poland has refused to participate in the EU's common migration policy. Another challenge facing Poland is climate change. The country is still heavily dependent on coal, and the government has been reluctant to introduce ambitious climate targets and has even blocked the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Finally, Poland has also seen an increase in nationalist and far-right movements, which have led to violent protests and attacks on minorities, including LGBT people. The government has also strengthened its control over the media and censored critical voices, leading to concerns about freedom of expression and democracy in the country. By and large, Poland's history has been one of struggle and resistance against oppression and foreign powers. While the country has made significant progress since its restoration as a sovereign state in 1918 and achieved membership in the EU and Schengen, it faces significant challenges today, including political polarisation, threats to democratic institutions, and climate change, which will require determination and courage to overcome. --- In the following, the history of Poland is told in a more detailed version. Prehistory: Tribes and Early Culture: The presence of tribes and early cultures characterized the prehistoric era in Poland. They were mostly hunters and gatherers who lived off the land and depended on the natural resources for survival. Archaeological findings date some of the earliest evidence of human life in Poland to around 500,000 BC. During the Peasant Age, around 4,000 BC, agricultural settlements began to be established in present-day Poland. These communities lived on agriculture and traded with neighbouring regions. Pottery-making became prominent during this period. As these early cultures developed, they also developed different artistic styles that can still be found today in many archaeological artefacts. Intricate carvings on stone tools and figures, as well as decorations on clay containers, are examples of this. All in all, these early cultures laid the foundation for future civilizations to flourish in Poland, and they greatly contributed to the country's rich history and cultural heritage. --- The Middle Ages: Feudalism and Christianity: In mediaeval Poland, feudalism and Christianity were two dominant influences that shaped society. Feudalism was a socioeconomic organization that exchanged land for military service. The nobility controlled vast estates and the peasants who worked their land. In the feudal system, there was the king, followed by nobles, lesser nobles, and finally peasants. During this period, Christianity played an important role in shaping Polish culture. In 966 AD, Poland's first ruler, Mieszko I, converted to Christianity as part of his political strategy to unite his people and gain recognition from other European powers. The Catholic Church became an important institution in Poland and greatly influenced all aspects of life. During this period, the church also played an important role in promoting education throughout Poland. Monasteries were institutions of learning where monks taught boys from noble families reading, writing, and arithmetic. Girls were taught in convents or by private tutors employed by wealthy families. All in all, feudalism and Christianity had a significant impact on mediaeval Polish society and continue to define it today. --- The Polish-Lithuanian Community: Reunification and Expansion: In 1569, the Polish-Lithuanian Real Union was established, combining the two neighbouring nations and forming one of Europe's largest and most powerful countries. The negotiations between King Sigismund II Augustus of Poland and Grand Duke Stephen Báthory of Lithuania resulted in the creation of a commonwealth with a common parliament, military, judiciary, and foreign policy. This union brought stability to the region and allowed Poles and Lithuanians to exchange cultural ideas. Poland-Lithuania increased its territory significantly under Commonwealth rule through conquests and alliances. Poland-Lithuania reached its peak as a European power during the reign of King John III Sobieski. It successfully defended against invasions from the Ottoman Empire twice during his reign, including winning the historic Battle of Vienna in 1683, which is considered one of the turning points in modern history. But this development created tensions among the country's diverse population, leading to conflicts, including wars with Sweden, Russia, and the Ottomans, which significantly damaged the kingdom in the following years. Despite its eventual collapse, the Polish-Lithuanian Real Union remains an important chapter in European history for its contribution to regional and continental politics, culture, and society. --- The Partitions: Austria, Prussia, and Russia: Austria, Prussia, and Russia shared the Polish-Lithuanian Real Union. The first partition took place in 1772, when these powers took advantage of internal weaknesses in Poland to annex a large part of the country's land. After this, a second partition occurred around 1793, and a new partition took place in 1795, reducing the extent of Poland on maps for almost a century. Each power had different motives for dividing this area. Prussia wanted to advance control, while Austria chose to administer Galicia (not to be confused with Galicia in Spain) as a buffer zone against Ottoman Turkey. Meanwhile, Russia wanted to weaken Poland's political influence. The partition was met with opposition from many Poles, who saw it as an affront. Despite their uprisings, Polish attempts t
