27th November, 7pm for 7:30pm, Ognisko Polskie – Polish Hearth Club

A rising star of Polish London’s scene in the 1950s, Wierzbicka’s artistic talent developed at the famous war-time Polish lycée in Villard de Lans, France.

Her later life was tragic story of despair and decline, culminating in a dramatic fire where almost all her work was destroyed.

Now by piecing together the few fragments of her musical compositions that remain, recently discovered short stories in the archives of London’s Polish Tydzień Polski newspaper and rare recordings of her reading poems by Marian Hemar about freedom and exile, we bring her words and music back to life.

Producer of ‘Fragments’ Eddie Tulasiewicz said:

“A rising star of Polish London’s scene in the 1950s, Maria Wierzbicka’s artistic talent developed at the famous war-time Polish lycée in Villard de Lans, France.”

“Maria eventually got to London, one of many thousands of Polish people who were unable to return to Poland. Music and poetry became vital parts of her life. She acted in cabaret and musical evenings at the Polish Hearth Club and other Polish clubs in London. “

“Once married in 1956 she moved to Cambridge and continued to write and compose. By the 1980’s she was back living in London after divorcing her husband. 

“She continued to compose music and write poetry in her west London home. But she was no longer part of the ‘artistic’ set, and was also disadvantaged by being a woman in what was a very male dominated world.”

“By the start of the 21st century Maria had become a recluse and a hoarder. Then a fire started in her house destroying almost all of her music and poetry. She died in 2009.”

“This is a unique opportunity to discover the words and music of Maria Wierzbicka which were long thought to have vanished for ever.” 

The evening will include:

• The music of Maria Wierzbicka recreated and sung by musician and tenor Tyrone Landau

• A new musical composition based on her life by leading composer and pianist, Pavel Timofeyevsky, who lived in Maria’s house after her death.,

• Actual recordings of piano playing and poetry readings by Maria Wierzbicka.

• Two recently discovered humorous short stories written by Maria Tulasiewicz in the 1960s and published in the Tydzień Polski newspaper in London 

Fragments is supported by the Zygmunt Zaleski Foundation . 

The production is directed by Luke Dixon and produced by Eddie Tulasiewicz.

There will also be an opportunity to see the exhibition Cradle of Freedom, telling the story of the Cyprian Norwid Polish High School in Villard de Lans www.polish-high-school.com

Tickets: £20 (£10 Members). Followed by wine & cocktail snacks

Booking at: Home | Ognisko Polskie – Polish Hearth or

by email events@ogniskopolskie.org.uk