Hemar also broadcast satirical programmes on Radio Free Europe, as well as organising theatre performances on stages in London, and at Ognisko. Whilst often an excessively scrupulous and bellicose manager – whom many Polish artists admitted they feared – he was also a foundation of Polish life in the UK. According to The Formation of the Polish Community in Great Britain 1939-1950:
[Hemar was] sometimes referred to as ‘the Polish Noel Coward’, but [had] considerably more political ‘bite’ than Coward.
Even today, Hemar’s influence – and the influence of the life and culture of the Anders’ Army generation – has not been forgotten. A plaque commemorating Hemar’s impact on Ognisko, and on the Polish exile community in London, still looks over one of the reception rooms – a reminder of the early days of Polish émigré culture, and its legacy today.
Written by Juliette Bretan, May 2021
Bibliography: Keith Sword, Norman Davies and Jan M. Ciechanowski, The Formation of the Polish Community in Great Britain 1939-1950 (London: SSEES, 1989); Anna Mieszkowska, Mistrzowie kabaretu (Warsaw: Zwierciadło, 2016), Peter D. Stachura, ed., The Poles in Britain (London: Frank Cass, 2004); Paweł Chojnacki, The Making of Polish London through Everyday Life, 1956-1976 [PhD Thesis], UCL; Dorota Sieroń-Galusek, Moment osobisty (Katowice: Uniwersytet Śląski, 2013); POSK.org; Albertcamus.pl; Artyści Andersa - Mała Polska nad Tamizą.