Union of Poles in Kazakhstan

The Union of Poles in Kazakhstan (Związek Polaków w Kazachstanie) is a diaspora association founded in 1997 that represents the interests of the Polish population living in Kazakhstan. It emerged from the wave of Polish community organizing that followed perestroika in the Soviet Union, and its founder and first chairman was Franc Bogusławski. The organization was officially registered in 1997, and later leadership included figures such as Witali Swiencicki. The Union works to develop Polish culture in Kazakhstan and to support the teaching of the Polish language. It brings together regional Polish organizations, associations and community centers from across the country. According to the Polish Wikipedia entry, 13 regional organizations and associations, 2 branches and several Polish community centers joined the Union. Its Coordinating Council currently includes 9 associations from different regions of the country, among them "Orszak Polonijny", the "Więź" Polish Culture Center, and the "Polonia" Association of Poles of Pavlodar Region. In 2019 Katarzyna Ostrowska was elected as the new president of the Union of Poles in Kazakhstan, and five years later she was re-elected to the position. In 2022 the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok established cooperation with the Union. The organization maintains an official website and continues to pursue cultural, educational and community-building activities for the Polish minority in Kazakhstan.

The first Polish organizations in Kazakhstan emerged as a result of perestroika in the Soviet Union. The Union of Poles in Kazakhstan was founded by Franc Bogusławski, who also served as its first chairman. The organization was officially registered in 1997. Later, the position of president was held by, among others, Witali Swiencicki. Over time, 13 regional organizations and associations, 2 branches and several Polish community centers joined the Union of Poles in Kazakhstan. Currently, its Coordinating Council includes 9 associations from various regions of the country, among them "Orszak Polonijny", the "Więź" Polish Culture Center, and the "Polonia" Association of Poles of Pavlodar Region. The Union represents the interests of the Polish population living in the country, works on the development of Polish culture, and takes care of Polish language teaching. In 2019, Katarzyna Ostrowska was elected as the new president of the Union of Poles in Kazakhstan. Five years later, she was re-elected to the position. In 2022, the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok established cooperation with the Union.

• 2024

  Katarzyna Ostrowska is re-elected as president of the Union.

• 2022

  The Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok establishes cooperation with the Union.

• 2019

  Katarzyna Ostrowska is elected as the new president of the Union of Poles in Kazakhstan.

• 1997

  The Union of Poles in Kazakhstan is founded by Franc Bogusławski and officially registered.

A diaspora association representing the Polish minority in Kazakhstan and promoting Polish culture and language.

1. 1Союз Поляков в Казахстанеzpkz.kz
2. 2Związek Polaków w Kazachstanie – Wikipediapl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Związek Polaków w Kazachstanie – Wikidatawikidata.org