Polski Związek Kulturalno-Oświatowy

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Polski Związek Kulturalno-Oświatowy (commonly known as PZKO) (Czech: Polský kulturně-osvětový svaz) (meaning "Polish Cultural-Educational Union") is a Polish organization in the Czech Republic. It represents the Polish minority in the Czech Republic together with Kongres Polaków. It is the largest Polish organization with largest membership in the Czech Republic.

1 Statistics
2 Footnotes
3 References
4 External links

When this organization began, in 1947, creating of other Polish organizations was prohibited.^[1] It was the only organization representing the Polish minority in the communist era, therefore it was under strong influence of the Communist Party. PZKO gained monopolist position, and was responsible for all activities related to the Poles, as other Polish organizations had been banned. Eventually, PZKO became more and more under influence of the Communist Party.^[2] During the 1960s, reformists began to have stronger voice, but, after the Prague Spring of 1968, purges were conducted, and reformists were fired from their positions.^[3] The Normalization Era had begun, and PZKO was again under strong influence of the Communist Party. After the Velvet Revolution, in 1989, PZKO rehabilitated people ruined in 1968.

The goals of PZKO are to promote and shield various cultural and educational activities of the Polish minority. PZKO organizes ans supports many activities, including clubs (women's, senior's), lectures, concerts, excursions, dance and folklore groups, choirs, art groups, exhibitions, various sport and social activities etc. The largest and most famous action shielded by the organization, is the annual Gorolski Święto, in Jabłonków (Jablunkov). PZKO also closely cooperates with Polish schools in Zaolzie, and with the Polish scene (ensemble) of Těšín Theatre, in Czeski Cieszyn (Český Těšín).

The current chairman of the General Committee is Zygmunt Stopa.