News > 2009

SINNE IS ALBA : EXPLORING THE POLISH COMMUNITY IN SCOTLAND – ON BBC ALBA

In the latest programme of the ‘Sinne is Alba’ series, which takes a look at different communities in Scotland, presenter Anne Morrison meets with various members of the vibrant Polish community in Scotland.

Since 2004, when Poland joined the EU, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Polish people making a home in Scotland however it’s not just been since 2004. There are many historical connections between Scotland and Poland with old Polish churches, Solidarity Square in Clydebank which celebrates the links, and Bonnie Prince Charlie who is half-Polish.

Anne Morrison meets up with Alexander Kudajczyk who first hit the headlines when working as a cleaner at Glasgow University despite being a concert pianist in his native Poland. The programme follows Alexander as he prepares for his performance at Glasgow's West End Festival and outlines how his life and career has changed since his appearance in the national press.

Among the other contributors in the programme is Bolek Kozub, a 92 year old World War Two veteran who served in the Polish army.  He recounts his memories of the Nazi invasion of Poland and his subsequent escape through Europe via Hungary, the French Alps and on to freedom in the UK on the Polish Ocean Liner, the SS Batory.

Bolek joined the reformed Polish divisions in Scotland and returned to Europe during the Normandy Landings. After the war Bolek married his Scottish girlfriend and settled in Edinburgh.

‘Sinne is Alba’ will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Thursday 2 April at 21:00 and is available on Sky channel 168 & Freesat channel 110.