New exhibition The Polish Heart Beats, at the National Civil War Centre on Appletongate, Newark, “bridges the gap between the Polish community and the people of Newark”

A new exhibition which celebrates the bonds which bind the Polish community and the people of Newark has opened.

The Polish Heart Beats is a unique exhibition based in the National Civil War Centre, showcasing items which reflect the history, traditions, and stories of the Polish people.

Newark has a large Polish community and is twinned with the town of Sandomierz.

The town was also well known among Polish airmen during the second world war who were based at nearby airfields, and Newark Cemetery is home to the largest collection of Polish war graves in the country, where annual commemorations such as the Air Bridge and All Souls services are held.

Exhibition curator, Liam Skillen, explained that the Polish community had been involved in selecting the items which are now on show, with some donating personal objects, and others coming from the museum archives.

He said: “It was very much a collaborative process where the community helped to shape the whole exhibition.

“It has been a very fun and enjoyable thing to be a part of and I have learnt so much about Poland and their culture.

“I am absolutely over the moon and pleased with how everything has come together and been received.

“It is a brilliant and important learning opportunity, and I would encourage everyone to come and have a look for themselves.”

Items on show include the uniform, medals, and personal affects of a Polish veteran who fought in the second world war, as well as historic polish clothing, and one of the Newark Creates Book Benches which is decorated with traditional Polish folk art.

There is also information about Poland and its history, including the connections shared with Newark such as the story of Polish Presidents in Exile, who until their repatriation in 2022 were buried and looked after at Newark Cemetery.

Upon touring the exhibition, Mayor of Newark Diane Ledger said: “It is lovely to see everything and provides an opportunity for the people of Newark to learn about a different culture.”

Many members of the Polish community were also in attendance at the launch, including Anna Rutkowska, who said: “This kind of event bridges the gap between the Polish community and the people of Newark, and brings us closer together.

“What I really loved seeing was the map of Poland, where people can mark where they come from and I can’t wait to see the results when the exhibition comes to an end — it shows that we may all come from different places, but we connect here in Newark.

“It provides an outreach and engagement for the citizens that do not normally have a voice, and I hope this is the start of something great and we see more events like this in the future.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s portfolio holder for heritage and culture, Rowan Cozens, said: “We have a long relationship with the Polish community here in Newark and we are very proud of that.

“The exhibition is very much a celebration of that community and our involvement with it. These people are probably your neighbours, your children may go to school with their children, so come and be curious, find out more, and learn about another culture.

“It shows cohesion, it shows a sense of place, understanding for one another, working together, and everyone feeling a part of our terrifically multicultural district.”