The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome local author Basia Jaworska for a discussion of her newly published book, DAYS OF THE OWL, tracing her mother's extraordinary journey from the Polish Underground Resistance to a WWII POW camp to Martha’s Vineyard. Basia will be in conversation with former WMVY interviewer and programmer Barbara Dacey. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.
About the book:
“DAYS OF THE OWL is a compelling, often painful, depiction of true heroism in everyday life during the cruel Nazi occupation of Poland. The inner fabric of the society was stretched and torn, friendships were tested, and loyalty to the cause of patriotism was strained to an existential degree. In this beautifully crafted account of her mother Teresa's work as a teenager for the Polish resistance, Basia Jaworska creates an intimate account of life under the oppressive Nazi boot and in a cruelly-managed prisoner-of-war camp. She then follows her mother's post-war transition and marriage and her subsequent immigration with her new husband Zbyszek to start a life and family in America. Throughout her many grim, but ultimately triumphant adventures, Teresa's undaunted will and dignity shine brilliantly despite adversities of all kinds. In DAYS OF THE OWL, Teresa's spirit comes vividly alive to be admired and celebrated for her courage, dignity, and unshakable faith in herself and in those she so strongly loved.” ----Gerald Yukevich, M.D., author of “Blood Pudding”
About the presenters:
Basia Jaworska is a visual artist, author, and social activist, who has been an Island fixture for over 30 years. Her paintings have been exhibited on Martha’s Vineyard and across the country, on stage sets, murals, book and newspaper illustrations, poster art, and political cartoons on social media. Her art reflects a deeper quest to explore what makes individuals risk it all for a higher purpose, be that music, art, or social and political causes. She comes by her political leanings naturally—her mother and father were active in the Polish Underground Resistance movement in World War II. Her book, DAYS OF THE OWL, is both a legacy and a warning to a generation who may have forgotten how easy it is to fall into tyranny.
Barbara Dacey is a Buddhist practitioner and musician. For many years, she was a DJ, programmer, and interviewer at WMVY on Martha’s Vineyard, where she helped build and shape the radio station into the locally beloved and nationally respected institution it is today. Before her time at WMVY, she worked as a singer-songwriter and band leader, and as a modern dance accompanist and composer. She is a volunteer coordinator at Bodhi Path of Martha’s Vineyard and lives in Vineyard Haven.
For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.
