Art and Culture

Poland, a nation at the crossroads of East and West, has evolved over its ­history into a unique and distinctive culture. Polish nationality has maintained its unity and strength through art rather than politics, since the country was twice erased from the map of Europe. Many authors and artists in exile were steadfast in keeping the country alive through their works. After the 1918 reunification, nationalist cultural movements gave way to the exuberanceof the avant-garde. Artistic expression was then plunged deep into one of history’s darkest moments; the trauma of the Holocaust and the censure of Soviet rule.