Live Interview with author of My Memoir: Nazis and Communists. Growing up in 1940s War-Torn Poland

The Queens Memory Project is proud to present a live oral history interview recording session with 92-year-old Teresa Piechocka, whose new memoir delves into true stories of her childhood in Poland in the 1940s. Her parents, Maria and Kazimierz Donimirski, were involved in social and educational activities to help keep Polish culture alive. This commitment to Polish sovereignty made them a target and kept the family on the move, hiding from the Nazi invaders. For five years of war, after being expelled from their home by the Nazis, they kept changing their place of residence; hiding with extended family, friends or relying on the kindness of strangers.

After years living as a refugee, the author’s struggles continued after the war as she endured a newly installed Communist government and raised a family in conditions that barely rose above subsistence level. She led a life defined by incredible perseverance and self-preservation.

Queens Memory’s Community Coordinator, Meral Agish will interview Ms. Piechocka to record her testimony of courage, resourcefulness, and unyielding will to survive for the library’s oral history collections. Signed copies of Ms. Piechocka’s memoir will be available for sale.

For a recording of this event, visit https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/r/m32n58dw4g