COMMEMORATION EVENT

80th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino

• Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 to Saturday, May 18, 2024
• Time: 7 p.m. for 7:30 p.m.

At noon on 18th May, 1944, a Polish flag was raised on Monte Cassino: one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War had finally ended. Troops of the Drugi Korpus (Second Corps) under the command of General Władysław Anders, had achieved a heroic and extraordinary victory. Ognisko Polskie is commemorating the 80th anniversary of this battle with events over two consecutive evenings, both hosted by Jola Piesakowska.

On 17th May the focus will be on the battle of Monte Cassino, with a detailed account of the battle, accompanied by the eye witness account of a veteran who served as a telegraphist during the Italian Campaign.

The evening will conclude with a live performance of three war time songs, including Czerwone Maki na Monte Cassino (Red Poppies at Monte Cassino).

On 18th May the classic film Wielka Droga (The Long Road) will be screened, preceded by an explanation of the film’s historical significance. A discussion of the cast and crew, and their connection to Ognisko Polskie will follow the screening.