Speak the Culture: Poland

Speak the Culture: Poland by Andrew Whittaker

The fifth book in Thorogood’s groundbreaking series of cultural guides takes Poland as its subject. Written and produced in collaboration with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Speak the Culture: Poland provides a fast track to understanding the key events, figures and customs of this richly creative country in the heart of Europe.

The book begins with an overview of the country’s cultural foundations – the history, language and identity – before moving on to Poland’s artistic achievements, from the Renaissance poetry of Mikolaj Rej to the contemporary films of Roman Polanski. The key figures of art, architecture, literature, philosophy, music, theatre and cinema are revealed succinctly and colourfully. A chapter on media outlines the main newspapers, magazines and television and radio stations. The final section of Speak the Culture: Poland covers the country’s living culture – its religion, social mores, education, economy and more.

Like previous titles in the series, Speak the Culture: Poland works as a thorough yet accessible accompaniment to travel, language learning and business relations. Only by grasping the culture of Poland will readers develop a fully rounded knowledge of this historic but little understood nation.

Speak the Culture: Poland - Contents

1. Identity
2. Literature and Philosophy
3. Art and Architecture
4. Performing Arts
5. Cinema and Fashion
6. Media and Communications
7. Food and Drink
8. Living culture: the state of modern Poland

Download a sample chapter of Speak the Culture: Poland.

Speak the Culture: Poland - About the Author

Editor in Chief Andrew Whittaker is a successful journalist and writer who has travelled widely, and written extensively on culture and lifestyle.

Speak the Culture: Poland - Reviews

Praise for the Speak the Culture series

‘The book is fascinating… It provides a fast track in understanding key events, customs and culture of the nation.’

Florence Waszkelewicz Clowes, Books in Brief , Polish American Journal

‘The Speak the Culture series… is the best crib sheet for the curious we have seen.’

Michael Kerr, Daily Telegraph

‘No publisher has attempted anything quite like this, and the publishers Thorogood are to be much applauded for their ingenuity and achievement.’

Barry Forshaw, travel journalist