Polonophobia Confronted By Marie Curie Dry

Curie (Life & Times), by Sarah Dry, Sabine Seifert. 2005

Marie Curie: Defiant Polish Patriot and Scientist. The Young Marie Curie Used to Spit on the Obelisk of the Russian Tsar

This book goes beyond discussing the scientific achievements of Marie Curie, as well as the many tragedies she had to go through in life. It also focuses on her early life as a young Polish patriot under the oppressive heel of Russian rule.

DEFYING THE RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES THAT RULED PARTITIONED POLAND

As a schoolgirl, the Marie Curie would walk to Saxony Square in Warsaw and spit on the obelisk set up by the Russia tsar. The young Curie describes attending a kulig, a traditional Polish sleigh party that was recognizably an act of resistance against Russian cultural domination.

CLANDESTINE POLISH EDUCATION

When she was older, Curie attended the “Floating University”, an underground academy that held secret classes in living rooms and meeting halls. Not mentioned is the fact that the “floating university” was revived after the Germans conquered Poland during WWII and had abolished all higher learning for Poles.

A stirring read!