The Kazakh journey demonstrated that culture, language, and music are not merely forms of expression, but tools of survival and community reconstruction. It was a journey that demanded attentiveness and humility, while at the same time reaffirming that even in the most geographically distant places, relationships built on memory and art can become the foundation for meaningful, long-term cooperation.
Strong emphasis was placed on educational activities. Polish language workshops for children of Polish origin from Pierwomajka, Lozovoye, and Kamyshenka were conducted. These classes demonstrated how essential language is in shaping a sense of belonging—even when Poland exists primarily as a story and a symbol.
A particularly important moment of the journey was participation in the 13th “Singing Polonia” Festival in Kokshetau. As part of the festival, Justyna Miguła performed Polish songs, while Piotr Damasiewicz presented a piano recital, contributing to a polyphonic narrative of a dispersed yet vibrant Polish cultural identity. The festival also provided an opportunity to meet leaders of Polish diaspora organizations and artists from various regions of the country.
A meaningful artistic and symbolic gesture was the recording of a short recital (trumpet, violin, and voice) in the Polish church in Kamyshenka—a place that for decades has served not only religious functions, but also as a cultural and communal center.
The journey also led to connections with ensembles performing traditional music of national minorities in Kazakhstan, opening possibilities for future intercultural projects that transcend a single national identity. Meetings with the presidents of Polish associations in Kokshetau and Karaganda further completed the picture of a complex, dispersed, yet highly active Polish diaspora network.
Parallel to these activities, research work was carried out, including recorded interviews with descendants of Poles, Germans, and Ukrainians deported to Kazakhstan in 1936 and later. These testimonies—often documented for the first time—became invaluable material capturing collective memory and individual life stories of people for whom Kazakhstan became a new, though never fully chosen, homeland.
A crucial part of the journey was the internship at the Polish House in Pierwomajka, which allowed for direct immersion in the everyday life of the local community. It was there that the first relationships with members of the Polish diaspora were formed, quickly evolving into workshops and joint musical and educational activities. These encounters were deeply personal—conversations often touched on family histories of deportation, memories of lost homelands, and ongoing efforts to define identity within Kazakhstan’s multicultural landscape.
One of the most significant events was the concert at the Polish House in Pierwomajka, organized for members of the Polish community from surrounding villages. In this context, music became a shared language—understood across generations and life experiences. For many listeners, it was a profoundly emotional moment, evoking memories of family homes and stories passed down by grandparents.
During the stay, cooperation was also established with the Polish Association of the Astrakhan Region and its president, Ruslana Śniegórska. These contacts opened perspectives for future initiatives extending beyond Kazakhstan to the broader post-Soviet region, where numerous communities of Polish descent continue to exist.
At the Intersection of Memory and Language. A Kazakh Journey Toward Community
Between May 12 and 22, Kazakhstan became another stage of our shared research and artistic journey. Once again, the expedition was undertaken by Piotr Damasiewicz—musician, composer, and traveler—and Justyna Miguła—musician, linguist, and traveler. This time, the destination was not defined by geographical discovery, but by encounters with the Polish diaspora in Kazakhstan—a community whose history, language, and collective memory were shaped by forced deportations and life far from the land of their ancestors.
The first days were spent in Astana, where we met with Julia Spiryndova, who is responsible for cultural projects at the “Polacy” Association. Our conversations focused on the current condition of Polish cultural initiatives in Kazakhstan, their importance in sustaining national identity, and the potential for international artistic cooperation. From the outset, it became clear that Polish diaspora activity in the country relied largely on grassroots engagement and a deep sense of responsibility for passing language and tradition on to younger generations.
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