A lecturer at Universities of Silesia (Katowice, Poland) and Kelts Hrayr Maghakyan, citing multifold sources proves in the interview with Aravot.am that in the 14th century Armenians came to Poland not as refugees seeking alms, but in a good sense as “colonists”. According to the scientist, due to Polish-Armenians the Polish aristocracy began to wear luxurious eastern clothes, to adorn and bear beautiful arms.
According to him, Poles also used Armenians’ abilities to possess Eastern languages and to be aware of the lifestyles of different countries, and the whole entourage of the Polish ambassadors was comprised of Armenians. Our interlocutor, however, proves that today’s Polish society, as a result of very limited information about Armenia, perceives Armenians and Armenia as a part of Russia and because of antipathy towards Russia, a very small percentage of Poles knows what significant influence Armenians had on their country’s socio-economic and political life.
Pursuant to Maghakyan’s assurance, a serious propaganda of Armenia and Armenian culture should be conducted in Poland and the international image of our country by an example of Georgians should be enhanced. Hrayr Maghakyan also reminded the names of several famous Polish-Armenians, about whom, perhaps, they are not informed in Armenia that much: journalist, writer, food critic and traveler Robert Maklovich, politician, former deputy Voychiekh Moyzesovich, monk, a follower of Armenian Catholic Church, social activist, church historian, poet Tadeusz Bohdan Isakowicz-Zaleski, film and theater actress, social activist Anna Dimna, composer, producer Robert Amiryan, politician, former deputy and senator Lukasz Abgarowicz. These are the people who have a significant role in today’s Poland’s life. We can add to the list the name of conductor, composer Krzysztof Penderecki, who has long become a friend of Armenia.
Gohar HAKOBYAN
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