Your child deserves the gift of Polish education

Eliza Orzeszkowa was one of the most outstanding Polish writers of the Positivist period. She was born in 1841 in Milkowszczyzna in the Grodno region.

The choice of Eliza Orzeszkowa as the school's patroness was not accidental, she proved by her activity that she could be taken as a role model. Orzeszkowa can be held up as a model of courage and independence: she defied patterns and fought not only for equal access to education, but also for civil rights.

She displayed great knowledge, empathy and social sensitivity. And although she was a writer, she devoted most of her life to social and educational activities - she believed that children of all social classes had the right to learn to write and read. She ran a boarding school for girls from indigent families, where she helped them to get an education and academic scholarships. She secretly taught the Polish language in the village school she founded.

During the January Uprising, she stayed in Ludwinów, where she supported the insurgents - she later described her experiences in the novella „Gloria victis”, among others. She later described her experiences in a novella entitled "Gloria victis".

She was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1904 and 1909. In the documents to the academy, one could read that; „...in the works of Eliza Orzeszkowa the heart of man beats...”. - however, she never received the prize.

Her works dealt with social issues, drawing attention to problems of inequality, the emancipation of women and the need for grassroots and organic work. Her best-known works include the novels Nad Niemnem, Marta, Meir Ezofowicz and Cham.

In her works she drew attention to the plight of the poor, the excluded and the weak. She taught tolerance, sensitivity and responsibility for others. Eliza Orzeszkowa also fought for women's suffrage. She devoted herself to social work and charity work until the end of her life.

Despite the difficult times of the partitions, her work and social activities were permeated by concern for Poland and the people. Eliza Orzeszkowa's involvement in important matters is the best evidence of her exemplary civic attitude, based on work, honesty and love of the homeland.

The values that guided Eliza Orzeszkowa are perfectly in line with the mission of the educational institution, so we are proud to invite you to learn more about the educational offer of the Eliza Orzeszkowa Language School in London.