Polish Cultural and Educational Union

Infobox Organization
name = Polski Związek Kulturalno-Oświatowy


image_border =
size = 150px
caption = Emblem of PZKO
motto =
formation = 1947
type = Cultural and educational organization
headquarters = Český Těšín
location = Zaolzie, Czech Republic
membership = 12,300
language = Polish
leader_title = Chairman
leader_name = Zygmunt Stopa
key_people =
num_staff =
budget =
website = http://www.pzko.cz

Polski Związek Kulturalno-Oświatowy (commonly known as PZKO) ( _cs. Polský kulturně-osvětový svaz) (meaning "Polish Cultural and Educational Union") is a Polish organization in the Czech Republic. It represents the Polish minority in the Czech Republic together with Kongres Polaków. PZKO is the largest Polish organization with largest membership in the Czech Republic, although the number of members is decreasing as a result of demographic decline of the Polish community.

TOCleftBefore World War II there was a myriad of various Polish organizations. When PZKO organization was founded, in 1947, creating of other Polish organizations was prohibited. [Zahradnik 1992, 128.] It was the only organization representing the Polish minority in the communist era, therefore it was under strong influence of the Communist Party. PZKO gained monopolist position, and was responsible for all activities related to the Poles, as other Polish organizations had been banned. Eventually, PZKO became more and more under influence of the Communist Party. [Zahradnik 1992, 145.] During the 1960s, reformists began to have stronger voice, but after the Prague Spring of 1968, purges were conducted, and reformists were fired from their positions. [Zahradnik 1992, 154.] Ernest Sembol, chairman of the General Committee of PZKO was also fired. The Normalization Era had begun, and PZKO was again under even stronger influence of the Communist Party. After the Velvet Revolution, in 1990, PZKO exonerated people discriminated after 1968, including most noted personalities: Jan Rusnok, Henryk Jasiczek, Adam Wiesław Berger, Tadeusz Siwek and Ernest Sembol. [Stopa 2006, 73.]

The goals of PZKO are to promote and shield various cultural and educational activities of the Polish minority. PZKO organizes and supports many activities, including clubs (women's, senior's, youth's), lectures, concerts, excursions, dance, music and folklore groups, choirs, art groups, exhibitions, various sport and social activities etc. The largest and most famous event shielded by the organization, is the annual Gorolski Święto, in Jabłonków (Jablunkov), another large event organized by PZKO is "Festiwal PZKO". PZKO also closely cooperates with Polish schools in Zaolzie, and with the Polish Scene (ensemble) of Cieszyn Theatre, in Czeski Cieszyn (Český Těšín).

PZKO comprises local branches, called MKs (Miejscowe Koła) which exist in almost all municipalities and villages in Zaolzie. Most of these local branches have their own buildings, known as Domy PZKO (PZKO Houses), which serve as a place of various cultural and other events.

General Committee (Zarząd Główny) is housed in Český Těšín (Czeski Cieszyn). Its current chairman is Zygmunt Stopa.

Statistics

Chairmen of the ZG (General Committee)

* Jan Pribula (1950-1951)
* Józef Kula (1951-1953)
* Karol Mrózek (1953-1955)
* Józef Mrózek (1955-1957)
* Adolf Kubeczka (1957-1959)
* Bogumił Goj (1959-1962)
* Eugeniusz Suchanek (1962-1968)
* Ernest Sembol (1968-1970)
* Jan Pribula (1970-1971)
* Eugeniusz Suchanek (1971-1975)
* Stanisław Kondziołka (1975-1987)
* Roman Suchanek (1987-1990)
* Władysław Młynek (1990-1993)
* Jerzy Czap (1993-1999)
* Zygmunt Stopa (1999- )

See also

* CSEMADOK - similar organization of Hungarians in Czechoslovakia

Footnotes

References

* Harvard reference
Surname =
Given =
Year = 2007
Chapter =
Editor = Bałon, Franciszek
Title = PZKO w roku 2007. Aneks do Leksykonu
Edition =
Publisher = ZG PZKO
Place = Czeski Cieszyn
isbn = 978-80-254-0121-7.

* cite book
last = Radłowska-Obrusnik
first = Martyna
coauthors = and Otylia Toboła
title = Leksykon PZKO
publisher = Zarząd Główny PZKO
date = 1997
location = Czeski Cieszyn
pages =
url = http://www.kc-cieszyn.pl/biblioteka/strony/ramka.php?autor=leksykon&licz=1
doi =
oclc = 189531468

* cite book
last= Stopa
first= Zygmunt
authorlink=
editor= Daniel Kadłubiec
chapter= Kolejny jubileusz PZKO
title= Kalendarz Śląski 2007
url=
series=
year= 2006
publisher= ZG PZKO
location= Czeski Cieszyn
isbn= 80-239-8132-3
oclc=
doi=
id=
pages=

* cite book
last = Zahradnik
first = Stanisław
coauthors = and Marek Ryczkowski
title = Korzenie Zaolzia
publisher = PAI-press
date = 1992
location = Warszawa - Praga - Trzyniec
pages =
url =
doi =
oclc = 177389723

External links

* [http://www.pzko.cz Official website]