This exhibition is about Poles who lived in Harbin from 1896 to 1930 and investigates how Poles retained their unique identity living in a foreign land.

 

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province. Before the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (Dongqing Railway) in 1897, it was still a small fishing village. Following the construction of the railway, Harbin became the center of immigrants.

 

Since the eighteenth century, the territory of Poland had experienced three partitions by powerful neighboring states. In the third partitions (1795), the territory of Poland was divided by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. During the late nineteenth century, most of the territory of Poland was governed by the Tsarist Russia (1721 – 1917, later USSR). In the late 19th century, the Russian owned railway company began to construct the Chinese Eastern Railway in Harbin. During that time, nearly ten thousand Poles went to Harbin to participate the railway construction. Harbin slowly became the center of the Poles living in Heilongjiang.

 

The Poles established their community and reinforced their identity through conducting religious, business and commerce, as well as cultural, and educational activities. They also played a significant role in the internationalization and cultural diversification of Harbin.

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This exhibition is divided into 4 sections.

Each will explain how the Poles reinforced their national identity when they lived in Harbin.

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1. Railway Construction

2. Religion

3. Schools and Education

4. Eagles in the Land of Dragon