Polonophile

A Polonophile, less often Polophile,[1][2] is an individual who respects and is fond of Poland's culture as well as Polish history, traditions and customs. The term defining this kind of attitude is Polonophilia. The antonym and opposite of Polonophilia is Polonophobia.

The flag of Poland with the Polish Coat of Arms
National personification of Poland, Polonia, by Jacek Malczewski

History

Duchy and Kingdom of Poland

The history of the concept dates back to the beginning of the Polish state in 966 AD under Duke Mieszko I. It remained strong among ethnic minorities as in allied neighbouring countries and during Polonization of the Eastern Borderlands, Livonia, Silesia and other acquired territories implied by the Polish Crown or the Polish government, thus also triggering Polonophobia.[3][4][5]

One of the first recorded potential Polonophiles were exiled Jews which settled in Poland throughout the Middle Ages, particularly following the First Crusade between 1096 and 1099.[6] The culture and intellectual output of the Jewish community in Poland had a profound impact on Judaism as a whole over the next centuries, with both cultures becoming somewhat inter-connected and influenced by each other. Jewish historians claimed that the name of the country is pronounced as "Polania" or "Polin" in Hebrew, and this was interpreted as a good omen because Polania can be divided into three separate Hebrew words: po (here), lan (dwells), ya (God), and Polin into two words: po (here) lin ([you should] dwell).[7] This suggested that Poland was a good destination for the Jews fleeing from persecution and anti-Semitism in other European countries. Rabbi David HaLevi Segal (Taz) expressed his pro-Polish views by stating that Poland is a place where "most of the time the gentiles do no harm; on the contrary they do right by Israel" (Divre David; 1689).[8] Ashkenazi Jews willingly adopted some aspects of Polish cuisine, language and the Polish national dress, which can be seen in Orthodox Jewish communities around the world.[9][10]

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Main articles: Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, and Polonization
The flag of Tartu in Estonia, which was granted to the city by Polish king Stephen Bathory in 1584, is still in use nowadays. It closely resembles the Polish flag and represents Poland's historical influence over Livonia

When Stephen Bathory, King of Poland, captured Livonia (Truce of Jam Zapolski), he granted the city of Tartu (Polish name: Dorpat) in contemporary Estonia its own banner with the colours and layout resembling the Polish flag. The flag dating from 1584 is still in use today.[11]

When the Poles invaded the Tsardom of Russia in 1605, a self-identified prince known as False Dmitry I assumed the Russian throne. A Polonophile, he assured that king Sigismund III of Poland would be able to control the country's internal and external affairs and secure Russia's conversion to Catholicism, thus making it a puppet state. Dmitry's murder was a possible justification for arranging a full-scale invasion by Sigismund in 1609. The Seven Boyars deposed reigning Tsar Boris Godunov to demonstrate their support for the Polish cause. Godunov was transported as a prisoner to Poland where he died.[12] In 1610, the Boyars elected Sigismund's underage son Władysław as the new Tsar of Russia, however, he was never crowned.[13] This period was known as the Time of Troubles, a major part in Russia's history which remains relatively unspoken of in Polish historiography due to implied Polonization policies.

False Dmitry I swears oath of allegiance to Sigismund III of Poland and promises conversion to Catholicism

During the times of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Zaporizhian Cossack state was allied to the Catholic King of Poland and the Cossacks were often hired as mercenaries. This had a strong impact on the Ukrainian language and led to the establishment of a functioning Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in 1596 at the Union of Brest.[14] The Ukrainians, however, retained their Orthodox Christian faith and the Cyrillic alphabet. During the Russo-Polish War of 1654–1667 the Cossacks were divided into the pro-Polish (Right-bank Ukraine) and pro-Russian (Left-bank Ukraine) factions. Petro Doroshenko, who commanded the army of Right-bank Ukraine, as well as Pavlo Teteria and Ivan Vyhovsky were open Polonophiles allied to the Polish king.[15] The Polish influence on Ukraine ended with the Partitions in the late 18th-century when the territory of contemporary Ukraine was annexed by the Russian Empire.[16]

Under John III Sobieski the Christian coalition forces defeated the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, which ironically sparked admiration for Poland and its Winged Hussars in the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan named Sobieski the "Lion of Lehistan [Poland]".[17] This tradition was cultivated when Poland disappeared from map for 123 years; the Ottoman Empire, along with Persia, was the only major country in the world which did not recognize the Partitions of Poland.[18] The reception ceremony of a foreign ambassador or a diplomatic mission in Istanbul began with an announcement sacred formula: “the Ambassador of Lehistan [Poland] has not yet arrived".[19]

After Partitions
Main articles: Partitions of Poland, Congress Poland, Austrian Poland, and Province of Posen
Robe à la polonaise, a Polish dress popular at Versailles in the 18th-century and worn by Marie Antoinette

The Partitions, which arguably occurred due to Poland's previous conquests, gave a rise to a new wave of Polonophilia in Europe and the world. Exiled revolutionaries such as Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko, who fought for the independence of the United States from Britain, relatively contributed to pro-Polish sentiment in North America.[20][21]

When Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands, Belgian diplomats refused to establish diplomatic relations with the Russian Empire as it annexed a large portion of Poland's eastern territories during the Partitions.[22] Diplomatic relations between Moscow and Brussels were established after some decades.[23]

The November Uprising in Congress Poland in 1830 against Russia prompted a wave of polonophilia in Germany, including financial contributions to exiles, the singing of pro-Polish songs, and pro-Polish literature. By the time of the January uprising in 1863, however, this polonophile sentiment had mostly vanished.[24]

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was a lifelong Polonophile and Poland's supporter in every field

One of the most prominent and self-declared Polonophiles of the late 19th-century was German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche, who was certain of his Polish heritage,[25] often expressed his positive views and admiration towards Poles and their culture. Despite this, modern scholars believe that Nietzsche's claim of Polish ancestry is a pure invention.[26] According to biographer R. J. Hollingdale, Nietzsche's propagation of the Polish ancestry myth may have been part of his "campaign against Germany".[27]

One of the strongest centres of Polonophilia in 19th-century Europe was Ireland.[28] The Young Ireland movement as well as the Fenians saw similarities between the two countries as "Catholic nations and victims of larger imperial powers". In 1863, Irish newspapers expressed wide support for the January uprising, which was seen as a risky move at the time.[28]

Throughout modern history, France was long Poland's ally, especially after Louis XV married Polish princess Marie Leszczyńska, the daughter of Stanislaus I. Certain Polish customs and fashion became popular in the Versailles such as the Polonaise dress (robe à la polonaise) which was adored by Marie Antoinette. Polish cuisine and ways of cooking also became known in French as à la polonaise. Both Napoleon I and Napoleon III expressed strong pro-Polish sentiment after Poland ceased to exist as a sovereign country in 1795.[29][30] In 1807, Napoleon I established the Duchy of Warsaw, a client state of the French Empire which dissolved in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna. Napoleon III also called for a free Poland and his consort, Eugénie de Montijo, astonished the Austrian ambassador (Austria was one of three partitioning powers) by "unveiling a European map with a realignment of borders to accommodate independent Poland".[31]

When Poland finally regained its independence following World War I, Polonophilia gradually transformed into a demonstration of patriotism and solidarity, especially during the horrors of World War II and struggle against communism.

Silesia
Silesians fighting for Poland against Germany in the Silesian Uprising, 1921

One of the regions which demonstrated its Polish identity was the ethnic Silesian minority in Upper Silesia which was subjected to systematic Germanisation and conversion to Protestantism under the German Empire.[32] After the Polish nation-state was founded in 1918, Germany's Regency of Oppeln (Upper Silesia) rebelled in solidarity with the Second Polish Republic what became known as the Silesian uprisings.[33][34] An easternmost sliver of the region became part of the Polish Republic in 1922, and the Polish Government had decided to grant this German territory autonomy in 1919 with the Silesian Parliament as a constituency and the Silesian Voivodeship Council as the executive body.[35]

After World War II, the whole of Upper Silesia and German Lower Silesia were assigned to Poland in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement. Expulsions and forced polonization followed.[36] [37] To this day some Silesians identify as Polish or German citizens and cultivate their Catholic traditions, simultaneously preserving their unique and separate identity.[38]

Contemporary

Armenia
Main article: Armenia–Poland relations

Armenians in Poland have an important and historical presence which dates back to the 14th century,[39] however, the first Armenian settlers arrived in the 12th century which makes them the oldest minority in Poland with the Jews.[40] A very significant and independent Armenian diaspora existed in Poland but was assimilated over the centuries due to Polonization and the absorption of Polish culture. Between 40,000 and 80,000 people in Poland today either claim Armenian nationality or Armenian heritage.[41] Mass waves of Armenian immigration to Poland began after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and continues to this day.[41][42]

Armenians are highly fond of Polish culture and history.[43] Several Armenian cultural features also exist in the Polish national dress, most notably the Karabela sabre introduced by Armenian merchants under Poland-Lithuania.

Georgia
Main article: Georgia–Poland relations
Georgian soldiers in the Polish army, 1925

Many Georgians participated in military campaigns led by Poland in the 17th century. Bogdan Gurdziecki, an ethnic Georgian, became the Polish king's ambassador to the Middle East and made frequent diplomatic trips to Persia to represent Polish interests. During the war in South Ossetia in 2008, also known as the Russo-Georgian War, Poland strongly supported Georgia. The President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, flew to Tbilisi to rally against the Russian military intervention and subsequent military conflict. Several European leaders met with Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili at Kaczyński's initiative at the rally held on 12 August 2008 which was attended by over 150,000 people. The crowd responded enthusiastically to the Polish president's speech, chanting "Poland, Poland", "Friendship, Friendship" and "Georgia, Georgia".[44]

The main boulevard in the city of Batumi, Georgia, is named after Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria.[45]

Hungary
Main articles: Hungary–Poland relations and Pole and Hungarian cousins be

Hungary and Poland have enjoyed good relations since the inauguration of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the Middle Ages.[46] Hungary and Poland have maintained a very close friendship and brotherhood "rooted in a deep history of shared monarchs, cultures, and common faith". Both countries commemorate a fraternal relationship and Friendship Day.

A standing ovation by Hungarian MPs after the Hungarian Parliament passed 2016 as the Year of the Hungarian–Polish Solidarity and Friendship. The countries sustained a 1000-year-old diplomatic relation and Friendship Day is celebrated in Hungary and Poland on 23 March.

In World War II, Hungary refused to allow Hitler's troops to pass through the country during the Invasion of Poland in September 1939. Simultaneously, Hungary, which under Miklós Horthy was allied with Nazi Germany, declined to participate in the invasion as a matter of "Hungarian honour".[47]

On 12 March 2007, Hungary's parliament declared 23 March the "Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship", with 324 votes in favor, none opposed, and no abstentions. Four days later, the Polish parliament declared 23 March the "Day of Polish-Hungarian Friendship" by acclamation. The Parliament of Hungary also voted 2016 as the Year of Hungarian-Polish solidarity.[48]

Hungarian-born prince Stephen Báthory, who was elected King of Poland in 1576, is the primary figure of the close ties between the countries.

Italy
Main article: Italy–Poland relations

Because Italy and Poland shared common historical backgrounds and common enemies (Austria), a good relationship is maintained to this day. After the Revolutions of 1848 in the Italian states against the Austrian Empire, Francesco Nullo, a merchant by trade, travelled to Poland to aid the Poles in the January uprising against Russia. He was killed at the Battle of Krzykawka in 1863 fighting for Poland's independence.[49] In Poland, Nullo is a national hero and numerous streets and schools are named in his honour.[50]

The struggle for a united and sovereign nation was a common goal for both countries and it was noticed by Goffredo Mameli, a Polonophile and the author of the lyrics in the Italian national anthem – Il Canto degli Italiani.[51] Mameli featured a prominent statement in the last verse of the anthem – Già l'Aquila d'Austria, le penne ha perdute. Il sangue d'Italia, il sangue Polacco... translated as "Already the Eagle of Austria has lost its plumes. The blood of Italy, the Polish blood...".

Pope John Paul II also greatly contributed to a favourable opinion of the Polish people in Italy and in the Vatican during his pontificate.[52]

United States
Main article: Poland–United States relations
Writer Edgar Allan Poe was a self-declared Polonophile and offered his service in the Polish army to fight for Poland's independence
President Woodrow Wilson presented his Fourteen Points where he demanded that a sovereign Poland is to be established after World War I

Tadeusz Kościuszko and Casimir Pulaski, who fought for the independence of the United States and Poland, are seen as the foundation of Polish-American relations. However, the United States began to be involved in Poland's struggle for sovereignty during the two Uprisings that took place in the 19th-century.

When the November uprising started in 1830, there was only a very small number of Poles in the United States, but the views of Poland were shaped positively by their support for the American Revolution. Several young men offered their military services to fight for Poland, the most well-known of which was Edgar Allan Poe who wrote a letter to his commanding officer on 10 March 1831 to join the Polish Army should it be created in France. Support for Poland was highest in the South, as Pulaski's death in Savannah, Georgia was well-remembered and memorialized. The most famous landmark representing American Polonophilia of the time was Fort Pulaski in the state of Georgia.

Włodzimierz Bonawentura Krzyżanowski was another hero who fought at Gettysburg and helped to repel the Louisiana Tigers. He was appointed the governor of Alabama, Georgia and served as administrator of Alaska Territory, a high distinction for a foreigner at the time. He fled Poland after the failed 1848 Greater Poland Uprising.

Fort Pulaski National Monument named after Casimir Pulaski

Strong support for Poland and pro-Polish sentiment was also observed in Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, who in 1918 delivered his Fourteen Points as peace settlement to end World War I and demanded in the 13th point that "an independent Polish state should be erected...with a free and secure access to the sea...".[53][54]

Donald Trump also expressed his sentiment towards Poland and Polish history in his speech in Warsaw on 6 July 2017. Trump spoke highly of the spirit of the Polish for defending the freedom and independence of the country several times at the speech, notably the unity of Poles against the oppression of communism. He applauded the Poles’ prevailing spiritual determination, and recalled the gather of the Poles in 1979 that created the famous chant "We want God".[55] Trump also made remarks on Polish economic success and policies towards migrants.[55]

The large Polish-American community maintains some traditional folk customs and contemporary observances, such as Dyngus Day and Pulaski Day, which became well known in American culture. This also includes the influence of Polish cuisine and the spread of famous specialties from Poland like pierogi, kielbasa, Kabana sausage and bagels.[56]

See also

References
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