The vibrant Jewish culture that existed in Poland for 1000 years prior to WWII was effectively destroyed by the Holocaust. Nonetheless, during the Communist era, the Polish government sponsored Jewish cultural events and commissioned artists to create art posters to publicize these events. Some posters were for Jewish films, others were for operas and exhibitions, and many were designed to accompany productions of the E.R. Kaminski National Jewish Theater. The posters, as well as the art, is significant. These posters, from the golden era of the Polish School of Posters (1946-1989), are recognized as the best in contemporary poster art, comparable to the posters of the La Belle Epoque. Works courtesy Contemporary Posters, NYC.

Hear more about the history and art of Polish Jewish cultural posters from Donald and Ylain Mayer of Contemporary Posters, a poster gallery specializing in Polish art posters, as well as remarks by a representative of the Consulate General of Poland.
Talk: 6pm
Reception: 7-8:30pm

With stunningly beautiful imagery, one of the finest puppet theaters in Europe brings to life the stories of renowned Polish-Jewish writer Bruno Schulz. The Last Escape is the story of a pensioner trapped in his room, trying to break through his own loneliness and despair by recalling his past and conjuring up a new world where time exists on many levels. Schulz, the preeminent Jewish writer from Poland, has been inspiration for Cynthia Ozick, John Updike, and Philip Roth. In Polish with English supertitles.

Directed by Andrzej Wajda (115 min, Poland, 1990)
A special presentation of a masterful film that follows the last days of life of the legendary Polish pedagogue Janusz Korczak and his heroic dedication to protecting Jewish orphans during the war. He created a children’s self-government for his 200-child orphanage, whose justice contrasted greatly to what was happening in the outside world. Special presentation by Annette Insdorf, professor of film at Columbia University and a leading expert on Polish films.