Author's meeting with Alicja Balcerzak

What did World War II look like through the eyes of women?

What stories do the diaries and memories of those who survived the war hide?

On 23 October at 17:00 we invite you to a meeting with Alicja Balcerzak, author of the book “Wojenne herstorie. Women's Memoirs of 1939—1945”.

It is a book that shows war from a different perspective — not through the prism of fronts, battles and military strategies, but through the daily lives of women, their fear, longing, hunger, experience of occupation and the struggle to preserve their humanity. The protagonists are women of different backgrounds, education and nationalities, whose fates were marked by war and occupation.

The idea for the book was born during Alice Balcerzak's many years of research into the literary testimonies of the Second World War. The author reached out to women's diaries and diaries scattered throughout libraries and archives throughout Poland. She was particularly interested in the female perspective of war — often different from that present in traditional, male historical narratives.

The author herself is a Polish philologist, educator, theater director and cultural creator, as well as the author of scientific and popular science publications. He also has in his achievements the book “Unerased from Memory”, which received the 2nd prize in the competition for the best history book in 2022.

It is also worth noting that the book “War herstorie. Memories of Women 1939—1945” was nominated for the Jantar Literary Award. During the meeting there will also be an opportunity to purchase a book and obtain a personal autograph of the author.

October 23, 2026

17:00

Kosakow Cultural Center in Pierwoszyn, 11 Kaszubska Street

Free tickets are valid, available at the KCK office.

We invite you to meet the story told by the voices of women whose experiences have been overshadowed by great events for years.