Promethidion – Polish Cultural Integration Through the Arts

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Meaning Behind the Name

“Promethidion” is the title of a poem by the Polish poet, artist and thinker Cyprian Kamil Norwid. Written in the form of two poetic dialogues, it is dedicated to art and its role in the creation of ‘social all-harmony’. Norwid chose the word Promethidion for the title of his poem – which means a descendant of Prometheus. Prometheus, according to Greek mythology, moulded the first humans from clay; after which he stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans. Fire here becomes a symbol of the warmth and light that every human being needs.

In 2004, after the opening of the British borders to new European Union members, there was a great need in Bedford to support workers arriving from Poland and their families struggling with various difficulties in adapting to life in a new country.

I was on maternity leave at the time as an English teacher, and my passion was the work of Cyprian Kamil Norwid. This is the direction I wanted to develop in. However, the influx of people coming to our home for help was constantly growing. The cases were complicated, the situations drastic, and there was no other place where they could get competent help for free.

Very quickly, however, there were people who wanted to support me in offering this help. There was a lot of beauty in this selfless dedication and in our joining forces. This beauty brought joy and inspired action.

Connecting Art, Support, and Identity

Norwid’s vision that ‘beauty exists to delight work’ was being fulfilled.

In our activities we followed Norwid even further. In addition to helping people solve problems, learn the language and raise awareness of the laws and rules of life in the UK, we paid significant attention to connecting with culture and the arts.

We ran numerous art workshops and hosted meetings that included singing, music and poetry. We encouraged people to share their artistic skills with others. This was particularly evident at regular events such as Children’s Day, but also at other cultural events we were always happy to join.

This was needed both for those seeking help and for the volunteers providing help, who were looking for a source of inspiration for action.

A Turning Point: Promethidion Ensemble Is Born

An example of this is the inclusive holiday workshop for children in 2007, combining singing, art and theatre. From this connection with the arts came joy, a sense of unity and warmth. The arts element was simple, requiring no great talents—just a willingness to try and share creativity with others.

In 2007, just before registering with Companies House, we polled people using our services to choose a name for the developing organisation. “Promethidion” was one of the proposals. Unfortunately, it did not win against the “Polish-British Integration Centre”, which was preferred by most.

Thanks to her musical skills, when Lucynka Ratajczyk became involved in our organisation, we were able to start a children’s song and dance ensemble. ‘Promethidion’ was the natural choice for the name of the group. It inspired not only people in need of support, volunteers, and staff—but also funders. In 2008 Barnfield College gave us funds to purchase folk costumes, which the children still perform in today.

Growing Partnerships and Cultural Impact

Promethidion continued for 15 years, building strong ties with organisations such as the John Paul II Polish School from 2010 onwards. The group played an important role in promoting Polish culture within Bedford and encouraging cross-cultural exchange through music and performance.

The ensemble helped bring Norwid’s ideas to new audiences while offering children and parents a sense of belonging and empowerment. Over time, it became a vital part of PBIC’s broader mission—to support those facing hardship and help them rediscover their own strength.

Key figures in the later years of the group included Lucynka Ratajczyk, Małgorzata Brady, and Kasia Przybyło, who collectively helped shape the ensemble’s direction and success.

What It Meant to Be a “Promethidion”

Being part of Promethidion meant more than singing and dancing—it meant bringing light to those who needed it. Members of the group demonstrated patience in rehearsals, courage in performance, and enthusiasm for learning new songs and traditions. Musical ability was valuable, but so too were teamwork and commitment.

Parents were essential to the group’s success. By transporting their children to rehearsals, offering emotional support, and helping foster the social bonds of the ensemble, they became de facto volunteers for PBIC. Their dedication and understanding of the group’s impact were deeply appreciated.

~ Mags Brady, CEO of PBIC

 The MYID Project: Capturing Stories of Bedford’s Polish Migration

The MYID Project (Migrant Young Investigators Development) was led by the Polish British Integration Centre (PBIC) in partnership with The Higgins Bedford, and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through its Young Roots programme. The aim was to preserve and share the personal stories of Polish people who settled in Bedfordshire during or as a result of World War II.

Training a New Generation of History Keepers

The project engaged young people aged 11–25 in a series of training workshops that equipped them with interviewing, filming, and archival skills. These young “history keepers” interviewed parents, grandparents, and older members of the community, recording memories of life in pre-war Poland, experiences of displacement, and the challenges of settling in Bedford. Participants also collected artefacts and photographs, helping to build a unique archive of Bedford’s Polish heritage.

Exhibition and Public Engagement

MYID was introduced to the public during Bedford Polish Heritage Day in 2017, and concluded with the launch of a major exhibition at The Higgins Bedford on 11th November 2018, marking the centenary of Poland regaining independence. The exhibition featured recorded interviews, film screenings, and displays of historical materials, all of which have been archived at the museum for future generations.

The project had a dual impact. It preserved a fading chapter of local history and gave young migrants the tools to connect with their cultural identity, while developing valuable communication, research, and social skills. The exhibition also aimed to change public perceptions of migration and to encourage more migrants to engage with local heritage spaces.

The MYID Project (2013): Photographing Polish Life Around the Table

In 2013, PBIC delivered the first MYID Project, focused on photography. This phase explored Polish identity in Bedfordshire through one everyday space: the kitchen or dining table. The tables of Polish households were photographed, often cluttered, lived-in, or carefully set—to capture the details of daily life, migration, and memory.

The project aimed to document what felt familiar and meaningful in the lives of Polish families, especially across generations. Each table told a story. .

This work remains an important visual archive of migrant experience and continues to influence how we use photography in community storytelling today.