Polish Cultural and Educational Union

Polski Związek Kulturalno-Oświatowy (commonly known as PZKO) (Czech: Polský kulturně-osvětový svaz) (meaning "Polish Cultural and Educational Union") is a Polish organization in the Czech Republic. It represents the Polish minority in the Czech Republic together with Kongres Polaków. It is the largest Polish organization with largest membership in the Czech Republic.

Before World War II there was a myriad of various Polish organizations. When PZKO organization was founded, in 1947, creating of other Polish organizations was prohibited.^[1] It was the only organization representing the Polish minority in the communist era, therefore it was under strong influence of the Communist Party. PZKO gained monopolist position, and was responsible for all activities related to the Poles, as other Polish organizations had been banned. Eventually, PZKO became more and more under influence of the Communist Party.^[2] During the 1960s, reformists began to have stronger voice, but after the Prague Spring of 1968, purges were conducted, and reformists were fired from their positions.^[3] Ernest Sembol, chairman of the General Committee of PZKO was also fired. The Normalization Era had begun, and PZKO was again under even stronger influence of the Communist Party. After the Velvet Revolution, in 1990, PZKO exonerated people discriminated after 1968, including most noted personalities: Jan Rusnok, Henryk Jasiczek, Adam Wiesław Berger, Tadeusz Siwek and Ernest Sembol.^[4]

The goals of PZKO are to promote and shield various cultural and educational activities of the Polish minority. PZKO organizes and supports many activities, including clubs (women's, senior's, youth's), lectures, concerts, excursions, dance, music and folklore groups, choirs, art groups, exhibitions, various sport and social activities etc. The largest and most famous event shielded by the organization, is the annual Gorolski Święto, in Jabłonków (Jablunkov), another large event organized by PZKO is Festiwal PZKO. PZKO also closely cooperates with Polish schools in Zaolzie, and with the Polish Scene (ensemble) of Cieszyn Theatre, in Czeski Cieszyn (Český Těšín).

PZKO comprises of local branches, called MKs (Miejscowe Koła) which exist in almost all municipalities and villages in Zaolzie. Most of these local branches have their own buildings, known as Domy PZKO (PZKO Houses), which serve as a place of various cultural and other events.

General Committee (Zarząd Główny) is housed in Czeski Cieszyn (Český Těšín). Its current chairman is Zygmunt Stopa.