Polish Banner

This banner is part of the museum's Community Banners project, 'Memories and Dreams'. It is symbolic of Polish immigrants' experiences in South Australia.
The images tell the story of Mr Twardowski. Maria Kropinski explained that ‘Mr Twardowski was a famous magician who lived in Krakow in the sixteenth century. Pursuing riches and knowledge, he sold his soul for the devil’s help. The time came for Mr Twardowski to fulfil his side of the agreement. He was to meet the devil in Rome, a place he never intended to visit. But one day he entered an inn called Rome and the devil was able to take him to hell. Mr Twardowski prayed to Mary to save him. She took mercy and ordered the devil to leave him on the moon, where he sits today, his only companion a spider, which was caught on his clothes. Occasionally, the spider spins a thread to earth and brings back news of Poland’.

By passing on stories like this in the national language, Polish immigrants have been able to maintain their culture in their new land.