Event as part of the Pardes Festival 2026 | September 11–13 | September 18–20 |
The Bohemian Brethren—the spiritual heirs to the teachings of Jan Hus—define the unique nature of Leszno's history. Persecuted in their homeland, particularly during the Thirty Years' War, they found asylum in Poland. From the 17th century onwards, Leszno served as the central headquarters for the denomination's leadership and the vibrant hub for the intellectual elite of the Unity.

The Brethren maintained close contact with Protestant communities in Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, and the German states. This extensive network of religious, cultural, and academic connections resulted, among other things, in the creation of a rich archive and library. These institutions and their collections reflected the high level of education and the broad horizons of the community.

Today, a portion of their rich legacy—in the form of the former furnishings from the Church of St. John—is housed in the District Museum in Leszno, representing a heritage of the Bohemian Brethren that is unique on a European scale. The Leszczyński family, owners of Leszno in the 16th and 17th centuries, had a significant impact on the Unity's presence in Poland, as well as its literary and scientific achievements.
On Sunday morning, we will share the story of who the Bohemian Brethren were, why they settled in Leszno, what role the Leszczyński family played in this endeavor, and what lasting marks the Unity left on Polish culture. We will reflect on why the vision of education proposed by John Amos Comenius is so simple in its concept yet so challenging to implement. Finally, we will search for Czech traces in contemporary Leszno and take a closer look at the valuable historical artifacts in the permanent exhibition.

Presented by:  dr Kamila Szymańska

Check out the full program for the Pardes Festival 2026.