Polonezköy, founded 200 years ago by Polish immigrants who came to Istanbul, is in danger of losing its cultural richness due to the decrease in its population of Polish origin.
Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, a Polish nobleman, founded Polonezköy near Istanbul in the 19th century. Today, this village faces a serious challenge: a declining population of Polish descent. Many generations have moved away, often back to Poland, putting the village’s unique cultural richness at risk.
The Last Keepers of Polish Heritage
A few determined residents of Polish descent remain, committed to preserving their heritage. Dilara Biskupski, a fifth-generation Polonezköylü, spoke with Anadolu Agency (AA) about the village’s cultural changes. “We are both Polish and Turkish,” she explained, highlighting this unique cultural blend.
Biskupski noted that almost all her relatives have left, many settling in Poland. However, she and her family are staying. “I am one of the last mothers of the sixth generation. I have three sons. They are among the last Polish generation in Polonezköy,” she said. “We want to stay here, run our businesses, raise our children, and keep our culture alive as much as possible.”
Biskupski described Polonezköy’s multiculturalism as a unique example for the modern world. “Polonezköy is a beautiful village. It truly embodies beauty, unity, and togetherness,” she said, emphasizing the harmonious mix of different cultures.
A History of Harmony: Muslims and Christians in Polonezköy
For two centuries, Muslims and Christians have lived peacefully side by side in Polonezköy. “Every holiday, all Christians and Muslims visit each other and exchange gifts,” Biskupski explained. This tradition shows deep mutual respect and celebration. However, she worries that this rich culture is now threatened. “All my aunts have moved abroad. I am the only one left on my father’s side of the family. Since its founding in 1842, Polonezköy has been a place where Muslims and Christians live together as friends and family, welcoming everyone. We hope this will always continue.”
The Zofia Rizi Memorial House: A Window into Polonezköy’s Past
Antoni Dohoda, a sixth-generation Polonezköy, explained that his great-grandfather built the first known house in Polonezköy. Today, this house is the Zofia Rizi Memorial House, sharing the village’s history and culture with visitors.
Dohoda emphasized that there is no discrimination in Polonezköy. “We grew up and have lived here in a friendly atmosphere,” he said. “We feel completely Turkish, and we are very happy and proud of that. But we have never forgotten our origins. Our ties to relatives in Poland are weakening. We mainly visit them for holidays. Several factors have caused the population to decline: economic pressures forcing some to sell their land, and the passing of older generations. Now, only the younger generation can carry on this culture. Keeping young people in Polonezköy is very difficult today.”
Cover Photo: Polonezköy.com
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