The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University co-presents “Wielka Droga/The Great Way” on Sunday, September 10 at 1:00 p.m. in the Downtown Central Library. The event is free and open to the public, and made possible in cooperation with the Polish National Archives – Audiovisual Institute (FINA) as part of its Polish Film Festival 2023.
“Wielka Droga/The Great Way” (1946), directed by Michal Waszynski, was the first Polish post-World War II feature film, recently digitally remastered by the Polish National Archives – Audiovisual Institute (FINA). Put together by the best film artists of pre-war Poland, many of whom served in the Anders Army, “The Great Way” includes significant documentary footage and retelling of the Army’s formation through the epic journey of thousands from USSR to reach Italy and new lives. The film was for many years forgotten and prohibited by the Communist authorities, and is a rediscovered story important to Polish heritage that many are not aware of.
The film, showing in the Downtown Central Library’s main floor Ring of Knowledge, will be followed by a reception hosted by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University.
A related visiting exhibit put together by FINA which tells the history behind the Anders Army is on view on the Downtown Central Library’s main floor through October 17.
Submitted by: Margaret Stefanski, chair, MLLC
