Polish Association in Christchurch
Media Release
9 March 2013

Polish Community Welcomes Its New Library

2 years have passed since the Polish community lost its library of books, movies and CDs in the February earthquake. The library, built over many years from members’ private collections, was housed in the Canterbury Community House in Hereford Street and, like the possessions of many other community organisations, was unable to be recovered from the red zone before the building was demolished.

Thanks to the financial support and its own fundraising efforts, the Polish Association in Christchurch was able to assemble a new collection of over 200 titles. The backing of Christchurch City Libraries means that the local Poles will once more be able to enjoy literature in their mother tongue when the Polish collection is launched at Central Peterborough Library on 21 March at 6pm.

“It took a long time and a lot of effort by many people to get us here, but the effort was worth it, with our new library offering a wide selection of titles for everyone’s taste. We appreciate the Christchurch City Libraries’ generous offer to accommodate and look after our collection and make it available to the public” says Dorota Szymanska, the Association’s President.

In the 2006 census, just under 200 Christchurch residents identified their ethnicity as Polish, but the 2013 census result is expected to be higher. Polish-speakers living in Christchurch also include many descendants of earlier settlers, as well as temporary workers and students.

Her Excellency the Ambassador of Poland, Beata Stoczynska, will officiate the opening of the Polish section of the library by unveiling a memorial plaque, the first of 10 to be placed along “The Polish Trail” in various New Zealand towns in 2013, marking the 40th anniversary of Poland-New Zealand diplomatic relations.

On the night, a Polish immigrant writer, Alina Suchanski, will launch her new book– “Alone” – a story of her stepfather’s journey through the Soviet Union and Persia to New Zealand in the 1940’s as one the Pahiatua Children, eventually settling down in Christchurch, where he lived until his death in 2012.

When: Thursday, 21 March 2013 at 6.00 p.m.
Where: Central Library Peterborough
Free entry

ENDS

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