Announcing the Clifford Place Collection Exhibit
2024-06-01 - 2024-06-30 | Vandalia Tower, 550 Vandalia Street, Suite 234, St. Paul, MN, United States
Don’t miss the upcoming exhibit showcasing the Clifford Place Collection of Polish poster art from the communist era. This fascinating collection of over 400 posters was assembled in the 1980s by Teresa and Brian McMahon in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, which was a hub for Polish immigrant artists at that time.
During the exhibit running June 1-30, 2024, around 25 of the posters will be on display along with select original paintings and watercolors. The posters provide a glimpse into an important period when Polish artists used metaphor and symbolism to express themselves despite government censorship.
The exhibit is being held at the Vandalia Tower in St. Paul (550 Vandalia Street, Suite 234) and will be open to the public on Fridays through Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is free.
In addition to the on-site exhibit, all 400 posters in the collection will be viewable online at www.cliffordplacecollection.com starting in June.
For more information, contact exhibit organizer Brian McMahon at (651) 399-7221 or brianmcmahonco@gmail.com. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience an iconic era of Polish art!
Poster by Wiktor Sadowski, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Minneapolis

Opening Night of 1970-1980’s Polish Poster Art Exhibit
2024-06-01 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Vandalia Tower, 550 Vandalia Street, Suite 234, St. Paul, MN, United States

Tekla Klebetnica
2024-06-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Church of the Holy Cross, 1621 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413, United States
Witness a remarkable concert featuring a world-renowned Polish folk-crossover band, Tekla Klebetnica.
Free event. Donations suggested.
Please visit Tekla Klebetnica’s website or contact the organizer for more information.

Polish Festival at Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church
2024-07-13 11:00 - 18:00 | Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church, 2114 5th Street NE, Minneapolis, 55418
Join parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church for a celebration of Polish culture with delicious food and lively music! Indulge in traditional Polish dishes, including golabki, pierogi, Polish sausage, sauerkraut/kapusta, hot dogs, rye bread, chips, dessert, pop, Polish beer, and coffee.
Enjoy a variety of games for both adults and children.
Don’t miss great food, fun, music, and games.
All are invited – we look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, call (763) 226-1624.

Slavic Experience 2024
2024-08-03 10:00 - 2024-08-04 22:00 | Park Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN, 55416, United States
The Annual Slavic Experience Festival is back, and this year, it’s bigger and better than ever. For two magical days in August, celebrate food, music, family, art, community, freedom, friendship, and love.
Please visit the PACIM table at the festival to learn about Twin Cities’ Polish community events, projects, and programs.

Meeting with Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski
2024-09-21 11:00 - 12:30 | John P. Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St NE, , Columbia Heights, MN., MN, United States
We regretfully inform you that the planned meeting with Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, scheduled for Sunday, September 21, at 11:00 AM, has been CANCELED. Unfortunately, Mayor Trzaskowski has been called back to Poland to address urgent matters resulting from the historic floods currently affecting the country.
We sincerely apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience this may cause. The situation is beyond PACIM’s control, and we appreciate your understanding during this unforeseen circumstance.

We are honored to invite you to a special opportunity to meet Mr. Rafał Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw, Poland, on September 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM in John P. Murzyn Hall, located at 530 Mill St NE, Columbia Heights, MN.
This is a unique chance for members of the Polish-American community, as well as anyone interested in getting to know one of Poland’s most prominent leaders, to engage in conversation and learn more about the dynamic relationship between Poland and the U.S. Mayor Trzaskowski is eager to connect with those in attendance and share insights about his work in Warsaw, his vision for the future, and how we can strengthen the bonds between our communities.
Whether you’re of Polish heritage or simply interested in learning more about this inspiring figure, we encourage you to attend and make the most of this rare opportunity!
Rafał Trzaskowski is a Polish politician, diplomat, and academic born on January 17, 1972, in Warsaw, Poland. He is a member of the Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) party. Trzaskowski holds a Ph.D. in political science and has served in various academic and governmental roles.
He began his political career as an expert on European affairs and was elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He later served as Poland’s Minister of Administration and Digitization from 2013 to 2014 and as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2018, Trzaskowski was elected Mayor of Warsaw, where he focused on modernizing the city and enhancing social policies.
Trzaskowski gained national prominence in 2020 when he ran for President of Poland, representing the opposition. Although he lost in a closely contested election, he remains a significant figure in Polish politics, known for his progressive views and advocacy for civil rights, environmental protection, and European integration.

Dedication Ceremony of 1944 Airlift Crew Memorial
2024-09-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Huset Park, 530 Mill St NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421, United States
The Warsaw Uprising, which began on August 1, 1944, was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. It was the largest military effort undertaken by any European resistance movement during the war. The uprising was a desperate bid to reclaim the capital as Soviet forces approached from the east.
One of the critical support operations for the uprising was Operation Frantic 7. On September 18, 1944, this U.S. Air Force mission involved a massive airdrop of supplies to the beleaguered Polish fighters. The mission saw B-17 Flying Fortresses flying from bases in Italy to deliver weapons, ammunition, food, and medical supplies.
PACIM, Sister Cities International Columbia Heights – Łomianki, the Institute of National Remembrance in Poland, the City of Columbia Heights, MN, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, and many individual donors joined efforts to commemorate the heroic crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress named “I’ll Be Seeing You” that took part in Operation Frantic 7 and was shot down by Germans over the suburbs of Warsaw on September 18, 1944. A rear gunner of the plane was Staff Sergeant Walter Shimshock, a Polish-American resident of Northeast Minneapolis. He was able to parachute from the crashing airplane but was captured and executed by the Germans. A memorial to honor him and other members of the heroic crew will be unveiled in Huset Park In Columbia Heights, MN, on September 21, 2024.
Despite the courage and sacrifice demonstrated by both the Polish resistance fighters and the Allied aircrews, the uprising ultimately failed due to a lack of sufficient external support and the overwhelming strength of the German forces. The city was devastated, and the resistance suffered heavy casualties. However, the valor displayed during the Warsaw Uprising and operations like Frantic 7 remains a poignant symbol of resistance against oppression.
We are also honored to host distinguished guests, including Mr. Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, and Ms. Agata Grochowska, Vice-Consul of the Polish Consulate in Chicago. The Polish Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), whose generous support made the monument possible, will be represented by Mr. Mateusz Szpytma, Deputy President, and Mr. Adam Siwek, Director of the Office for Commemorating the Struggle and Martyrdom.
Please arrive by 12:45 PM to ensure a timely start. The event will begin promptly at 1:00 PM with a presentation of colors by the Grand Forks AFB honor guard.
All confirmed attendees who replied to our invitation will have reserved seating in the main tent. Additional seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the adjacent pavilion for others.

Consular Session
2024-10-05 | St. John Paul II School, 1630 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN, United States
The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago is organizing a consular session in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 5, 2024. The session will take place at John Paul II School at Holy Cross Church.
During the session, it will be possible to submit an application for the issuance of a passport document.
Prior telephone registration is required for the session. Registration will be open on September 24 and 25, Chicago time. To make an appointment for a passport session, you must call the Consulate at 312-337-8166, ext. 1, between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., or until all slots are filled.
Detailed information can be found at the link:
https://www.gov.pl/web/usa/dyzur-konsularny-w-minneapolis-w-stanie-minnesota-w-dniu-5-pazdziernika-2024-roku

Free Advanced Screening of A Real Pain
2024-11-06 19:00 - 21:00 | AMC Rosedale 14, 1595 MN-36 Unit 1000, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Searchlight Pictures offered PACIM 15 free double passes for the advanced screening of A REAL PAIN, a movie written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.
A REAL PAIN follows cousins (Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) as they travel through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, a survivor of the Holocaust. This film is a heartfelt exploration of Jewish heritage, mental health, and history told through the perspectives of third-generation immigrants.
For complimentary passes, go to http://www.searchlightscreenings.com/PACIMxARPx1106. The code to redeem the passes is PACIMxARPx1106.

Veterans Day Celebration
2024-11-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Huset Park, 530 Mill St NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421, United States
Amáda Márquez Simula, Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights, MN, invites you to the Veterans Day Celebration at the 1944 Warsaw Uprising USAAF Airlift Memorial at West Huset Park in Columbia Heights, MN.
Program:
Welcome by the Mayor
Handing Out Roses
Posting of the Colors
Pledge of Allegiance
Singing of the National Anthem
Speech by the Mayor
Recognition of Veterans Present
Moment of Thankfulness
Honoring Veterans with Roses
Closing Song
Thank You and Cookies
Join us in paying tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans.

Polish Independence Day Run
2024-11-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Fr. Hennepin Bluff Park, SE Main St and 6th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, United States
The Polish Independence Run is an opportunity to celebrate the 106th anniversary of Poland regaining independence. This event is not only a sporting challenge but also a chance to represent the Polish community in Minneapolis and share our joy and pride in a free Poland, even while living beyond its borders.
Let’s run for independence!
Please register using this link or QR code on the poster. You can choose to walk or run to complete a 3 km or 5 km route
We kindly encourage everyone to wear clothing and accessories in Poland’s national colors and dress appropriately for the weather.
See you at the Independence Run on November 9th!
The Independence Run in Minneapolis is held under the patronage of the Polish Consulate in Chicago, IL.

Flower Laying Ceremony
2024-11-11 14:30 - 15:30 | Huset Park, 530 Mill St NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421, United States
In honor of Polish Independence Day, the Consul, Ms. Agata Grochowska, of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, in Chicago, IL, will lay flowers at the 1944 Warsaw Uprising USAAF Airlift Memorial. This solemn ceremony commemorates Poland’s regained independence and pays tribute to shared values of freedom and resilience.
Please join us in observing this special occasion and showing our respect for those who have sacrificed for these ideals.

International Armistance Day Commemoration
2024-11-11 19:00 | Brits Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall 55403, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Join Twin Cities’ local and international communities in Brit’s Clubhouse Room for live music, a color guard, and words honoring the global Anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War 1. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to stay after the program to socialize. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Poland will be represented by the Polish Consul in Chicago, Ms. Agata Grochowska.
Look forward to seeing you all, including your family. This event is free. All are welcome!

Free Additional Advanced Screening of A Real Pain
2024-11-12 19:00 - 21:00 | AMC Southdale 16, 400 SOUTHDALE CENTER, EDINA, 55435, United States
Searchlight Pictures offered PACIM additional free passes for the advanced screening of A REAL PAIN, a movie written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, in AMC Southdale 16.
A REAL PAIN follows cousins (Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) as they travel through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, a survivor of the Holocaust. This film is a heartfelt exploration of Jewish heritage, mental health, and history told through the perspectives of third-generation immigrants.
For complimentary passes, go tohttps://searchlightscreenings.com/PACIM1112 The code to redeem the passes is PACIMxARPx1112.

Meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland
2025-03-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Copernicus Center, 5216 W LAWRENCE AVE, Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago invites members of the Polish diaspora to a meeting with the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Andrzej Duda. The event will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Copernicus Center in Chicago.
Registration is required to attend the meeting. Please register at: https://copernicuscenter.org/spotkanie-z-prezydentem-rzeczypospolitej-polskiej-panem-andrzejem-duda/ We would also appreciate it if you could also notify us by email at office@pacim.org
All attendees must present a valid ID for admission.
Meeting program:
– Ceremony for awarding state decorations and Polish flags
– Speech by the President
– Artistic program
During the event, PACIM will receive a commemorative Polish flag and a special plaque from the President.
Konsulat Generalny RP w Chicago zaprasza na spotkanie z Prezydentem Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej Panem Andrzejem Dudą: niedziela 2 marca 2025 o godz. 4 pm. w Copernicus Center.
Uprzejmie prosimy o rozpowszechnienie tej informacji wśród Polonii.
Do udziału w spotkaniu niezbędna jest rejestracja, której można dokonać pod poniższym linkiem:
https://copernicuscenter.org/spotkanie-z-prezydentem-rzeczypospolitej-polskiej-panem-andrzejem-duda/
Program spotkania obejmuje:
– uroczystość wręczenia odznaczeń państwowych i flag polskich
– przemówienie Pana Prezydenta
– program artystyczny
Podczas spotkania, PACIM otrzyma od Pana Prezydenta polska flage wraz z inskrypcja na pamiatkowej tabliczce.

"Historia Wiktorii i Franka” – A Polish Play for Young Viewers
2025-03-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Landmark Center – F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, 75 Fifth Street West, St. Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Story of Wiktoria and Franek: How Did Solidarity Come into Being?
Historia Wiktorii i Franka: Jak Powstała Solidarność?

The play transports the audience to the turbulent times of Solidarity’s rise and the August 1980 strikes. The story of the union’s formation is presented from the perspective of two ten-year-olds: Wiktoria, who lives in Gdańsk in 1981, and Franek, who travels from the 21st century straight into the heart of these historic events. Through his journey back in time, Franek has the chance to witness firsthand what he had only heard about in his grandmother’s stories.
What sets this play apart is its interactivity. The children in the audience are not just passive observers—they become part of events that took place more than forty years ago. The actors portraying Wiktoria and Franek actively engage the young audience by asking questions and encouraging them to find solutions together.
This performance is not just a history lesson; it is an exciting journey through time—one that will surely leave a lasting impression and inspire curiosity about the past.
The play is performed in Polish and is intended for young viewers, but it is open to all.
Produced by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance, the play is presented by the Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota in cooperation with the Adam Mickiewicz Polish Saturday School in Minneapolis.
Following the performance, a post-show reception will take place in the Chief Justice Room (430), offering an opportunity to continue the conversation and reflect on the evening. Guests will have the chance to meet the cast, discuss the play, and enjoy a selection of appetizers and non-alcoholic refreshments in a welcoming atmosphere.
Attendance is free.
Due to parking availability and costs in downtown St. Paul, please consider using public transportation or carpooling.
Because of the Wild game at 1pm that day, the Lawson Ramp will be $20 credit/debit card on the entrance and the Victory Ramp will be $15 cash/card on the entrance. The Victory Ramp at 344 Wabasha St is about a half block further from the Landmark Center than the Lawson at 11 W 5th St/10 W 6th St.

PACIM Presents The Property at MSPIFF
2025-04-04 13:45 - 15:45, 2025-04-09 13:20 - 15:20 | The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St., Minneapolis, 55414, MN, 55414
We are pleased to announce that PACIM is a Community Partner of the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF), one of the largest and longest-running international film festivals in the country. This year, the festival will take place April 2–13 at The Main Cinema and other venues across the Twin Cities.
The Israeli-Polish co-production The Property, directed by Dana Modan and starring Rivka Michaeli, Andrzej Seweryn, Sharon Strimban, and Piotr Pacek, will represent Polish cinematography at MSPIFF this year.
Showtimes:
📍 The Main 4
🗓 Friday, April 4, 2025 ⏰ 1:45 PM
📍 The Main 5
🗓 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 ⏰ 1:20 PM
PACIM members receive discounted ticket prices for all MSPIFF44 movies by using the code PACIMMSPIFF44. Take advantage of this special offer and enjoy the festival!
Buy Tickets for The Property

About The Property
This romantic dramedy follows Regina and her granddaughter Mika on a journey to Poland to reclaim their family property, seized during World War II. However, their mission quickly unravels when Regina unexpectedly abandons the plan, leaving Mika lost and confused. Matters become even more complicated when an irritating distant relative keeps reappearing.
Just as Mika begins to fall for a charming tour guide, Regina seizes the opportunity to pursue her own hidden agenda—finding her long-lost love, from whom she was separated seventy years ago.

MSPIFF44 Program, Schedules, Tickets

Basia Bułat – Basia's Palace Live in Concert
2025-04-04 19:00 - 22:00 | The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, 55454
Basia Bułat is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter of Polish origin and a proud member of Canadian Polonia (Polish diaspora).
Her distinctive voice and artistry blend elements of R&B and soul with freak folk, creating a sound that is both unique and emotionally resonant. Her talent has been recognized on a grand scale—her songs have been adapted for major symphony orchestra performances, and she has been invited to perform at prestigious tributes to Leonard Cohen, Daniel Lanois, and The Band.
Since her debut in 2007, she has shared the stage with artists such as The National, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Daniel Lanois, St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, and Destroyer. As a versatile songwriter, she has collaborated across genres with artists like US Girls and Jeremy Dutcher. In addition to her powerful voice, Bułat is a skilled multi-instrumentalist, performing and recording on electric guitar, piano, autoharp, ukulele, bass, and charango.
Basia will be celebrating the release of her new album, Basia’s Palace. On it, she features Disco Polo, a folk song named for a genre of Polish dance music that her late father loved. The song reflects the duality of her musical inheritance. “This is an homage to what I feel are the two sides of my musical lineage—my mother was a classically trained piano and guitar teacher, and my father’s favorite genre was Disco Polo.”
PACIM members receive a special Buy One Get One deal (Thursday, March 13, 9:00 AM while supplies last by using code POLONIA.
🎟️ For more information and tickets, visit:
🔗 https://www.thecedar.org/events/basia-bulat-basias-palace-live-in-concert

Season Opening Day at Gammelgården
2025-05-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Gammelgården Museum of Scania, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55703, United States
PACIM, along with the French-American Heritage Foundation of Minnesota and the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, will participate in Season Opening Day at the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia. We will present displays and information about Polish immigrants and pioneers who lived in Minnesota during the same period that Swedish immigrants were arriving and settling in the state.
The event will feature new exhibits, hands-on historical activities, nineteenth-century games, live artisan demonstrations, a vendor fair, a toddler dance party, a historic fashion show, and farm animals from Little Blue’s Traveling Zoo. Visit displays from cultural organizations—including PACIM’s—and explore the Welcome House’s new exhibitions. Shop at the Butik and learn about volunteer opportunities. Fun for all ages!
For the full program, please see Season Opening Day
Listen to this story:

https://pacim.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Scania.mp3

Bicycle Rally
2025-05-03 13:30 - 16:00 | Huset Park, 530 Mill St NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421, United States
PACIM and Polish Saturday School in Minneapolis cordially invite you to the upcoming Bicycle Rally held in celebration of the Anniversary of the Polish Constitution of May 3rd, 1791, and the Feast of Our Lady, Queen of Poland. The rally will begin and end at Huset Park in Columbia Heights, by the Warsaw Uprising USAAF Airlift Memorial.
Event Details
• The rally is a recreational ride, not a competition. There are no podium placements.
• Participants are encouraged to form groups based on age or fitness level.
• Parents are responsible for their children and should accompany them throughout the event.
• Families with younger children are welcome to participate using bike seats, trailers, or other suitable equipment that ensures a comfortable and enjoyable ride for all.
• The main rally route takes approximately 2 hours. If a participant feels they cannot complete the entire route, they are welcome to return to the picnic area and wait for the group and the barbecue. For more experienced riders, Father Cyprian has prepared an extended route.
• Grilled sausage will be served to all riders after the completion of the ride at Huset Park.
If the weather is warm with light rain, the rally will proceed as planned. If there is a downpour or it is very cold, the rally will be canceled and will not be rescheduled, due to time constraints before the end of the school year. Organizers will notify participants the day before the rally if cancellation is likely. In some cases, the final decision may be made on the morning of the rally.
This year, bicycle transport will not be provided and each participant is responsible for bringing their bike to the rally location.

Route map
Reservation

Listen to the story:
https://pacim.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ElevenLabs_2025-04-30T01_15_53_Rachel_pre_sp100_s50_sb75_se0_b_m2.mp3

Polish Heritage Celebration at Urban Growler
2025-06-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Urban Growler Brewing Company, 2325 Endicott St, St Paul, 55114, United States
PACIM will take part in the Polish Heritage Celebration at the Taproom and Beer Garden of Urban Growler Brewing Company in Saint Paul, MN, on June 1, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Here’s what’s brewing:
🍺 Grodziskie – A traditional, smoky Polish beer
🌭 Polish Fare – Sausages and pierogi, served all day
💃 Traditional Polish Dancers – Live performances celebrating culture and community
Take this opportunity to chat with our representatives about PACIM’s activities, goals, and achievements.
You’ll also be able to support our mission through PhilanthroBrew donations.
Na zdrowie! (Cheers!)

The Land of 10,000 Ethnicities. Volume 1 – Central Europe.
2025-06-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-14 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-14 19:30 - 21:30 | E.M Pearson Theatre, Concordia University, 312 Hamline Avenue North, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Join Ethnic Dance Theatre on a captivating journey from Central Europe to the Land of 10,000 Lakes as we explore the lives and impact of those that came to call Minnesota home. Whether it’s the driving Kolomeikas of the Hutsul and Rusyn peoples, the playful steps from Liptov, Slovakia, or the sharp, military Hungarian Verbunk, the diversity of these Central Europeans will be on full display. Whether you are revisiting cherished memories or discovering new cultural expressions, this event promises to be a delightful and enlightening experience for all ages.
Using the dances, music, and songs of the peoples found throughout Central Europe, Ethnic Dance Theatre will highlight where these communities found themselves when they emigrated to our great state. Land of 10,000 Ethnicities will feature nearly 20 dancers as well as Mila Vocal Ensemble, and as always, featuring live music by the incomparable Ethnic Dance Theatre Folk Orchestra.
Polish culture is part of the story — and the celebration!
The performers used PACIM’s library to research the history of Polish immigration to Minnesota, bringing real stories and local heritage to life on stage. From the journey of early settlers to the traditions carried across generations, Polish culture continues to shape our community in meaningful ways.
Let’s celebrate it together!
Tickets:
Adult: $35
Senior/Student: $25
Children: $15
Tickets will be available at the box office 60 minutes prior to each show or can be purchased online. If purchasing online, be sure to use the code “pol15” for 15% off your tickets—graciously offered by Ethnic Dance Theatre to PACIM members and friends!
Buy Tickets

Afternoon with the Author: Anthony Bukoski
2025-06-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Landmark Center — The Chief Justice Room #430, 75 Fifth Street West, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Anthony Bukoski, The Thief of Words
From University of Wisconsin Press: “The Thief of Words is filled with desperate runaways, the unhappily married, and the displaced. These characters often long for happiness but struggle to explain—even to themselves—what that would entail.
The lightly interconnected stories in this riveting collection are split between the Polish American communities of northern Wisconsin and Louisiana, where refugees from World War II were resettled. Exploring themes of dislocation and assimilation, love and loneliness, and generational conflict, Anthony Bukoski admirably paints portraits of people doing their best, despite the odds and their sometimes-thwarted attempts to follow the urgings of their better angels.”
For forty-one years, Anthony Bukoski has written short stories about Polish Americans in northern Wisconsin. In the program, he will tell why he began doing this and how he has been inspired to continue. Though understanding that the stories may be flawed, he has been loyal to his subject, never straying from it. He will read very brief passages from a few of the stories and conclude by reading “A Sea Story” from The Thief of Words.
A discussion will follow.
He will be pleased to sign books afterward.
Anthony Bukoski was born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, the port city where his Polish immigrant grandparents settled. The author’s short story collections have twice won the Polish American Historical Association’s Creative Arts Award and once its Oskar Halecki Prize. The Sarmatian Review, under the aegis of the Polish Institute of Houston, also recognized Bukoski with its first Literary Award “for excellence in presenting the life of American Polish communities in the Midwest.”

Screening of Three Colors: Blue by Krzysztof Kieślowski
2025-07-17 12:30 - 14:30 | The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St., Minneapolis, 55414, MN, 55414
As part of their annual French film festival, Lumières Françaises (July 11–17), the MSP Film Society and The Main Cinema will present a special screening of Three Colors: Blue, directed by legendary Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowski.
Blue (Trois Couleurs: Bleu) is the first film in the internationally acclaimed Three Colors trilogy. Though set in Paris and spoken in French, its soul is unmistakably Polish—deeply reflective, poetic, and emotionally profound. The story follows a woman grappling with unimaginable personal loss as she searches for freedom and meaning—a theme deeply resonant with the Polish experience.
Kieślowski, known in Poland for such masterpieces as Dekalog and The Double Life of Veronique, brought his unique sensibility to this European co-production, earning worldwide recognition while remaining firmly rooted in the Polish tradition of thoughtful, symbolic cinema.
We warmly invite PACIM members and friends to join us in celebrating one of Poland’s greatest cinematic voices and to experience this moving work of art together.
TICKETS 👉 https://mspfilm.org/show/certified-binoche-three-colors-blue/
PACIM members and friends can use the code PACIMLF25 to receive a ticket discount for the screening of Blue or any other film presented during Lumières Françaises.
You can find the full program for Lumières Françaises at:
👉 https://mspfilm.org/series/lumieres-francaises/
Certified Binoche! Three Colors: Blue

Polish Fest at Sacred Heart of Jesus
2025-07-19 11:00 - 18:00 | Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Church, 2114 5th Street NE, Minneapolis, 55418
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish invites everybody to its annual Polish Festival featuring polka music, Polish food and beer, and raffles and games to win amazing prizes.
Polish Food: Golabki, Pierogi, Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut/Kapusta, Hot Dogs, Rye Bread, Chips, Dessert, Pop, Polish Beer, and Coffee.
Games for adults and children.
For more information, call (763) 226 – 162

Slavic Experience 2025
2025-08-02 - 2025-08-03 | The ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive, Saint Louis Park, MN, 55416, United States
Celebrate the universal human values we all share, for two magical days in August, the way they’ve been celebrated in Eastern and Central Europe for centuries untold. Food. Music. Family. Art. Community. Freedom. Friendship. Love. All are welcome. Because all are one.

A Folk Art Friday at Minnesota Discovery Center
2025-08-08 15:00 - 21:00 | Minnesota Discovery Center, 1005 Discovery Drive, Chisholm, MN, 55719, United States
August 8th, the Tamburitzans (a multicultural song and dance troupe) will be performing at the Minnesota Discovery Center. Additionally, earlier in the afternoon, MDC will be putting on Family Discovery Day: Fiber Arts Fun, an educational event during which local fiber artists will be demonstrating their traditional fiber arts skills on the historical Scandinavian looms and the antique spinning wheel located at MDC.
