In the Czech part of Těšín Silesia, a diverse group of objects has been preserved that testify to the Polish identity of the region and its persistence despite the changes in borders, social and cultural structures. In addition to numerous war memorials from the First and Second World Wars, roadside crosses and chapels, there are also secular and artistic forms of commemoration that remind us of the presence and contribution of Poles to the life of this land.

In Karviná, there is a plaque dedicated to Jan Olszak , a distinguished social activist and columnist, which is described in a separate report.

Among the most interesting are monuments and plaques dedicated to cultural and social movement figures. In Bogumín, there is a monument to Ludwik Zamenhof , the originator of Esperanto, a language that for a short time enjoyed a lively interest in workers' and educational circles here. In Olbrachcice there is a boulder with a plaque commemorating Jan Tacin and Henrik Jasiczek - poets and national activists, whose work and public activities played a significant role in shaping Polish consciousness in Zaolzie.

In the urban space of Český Těšín, a plaque commemorating the existence of the Workers' House - a place of meeting, education and cultural life of the Polish community - has been preserved. In Karviná-Kopalni there is a plaque marking the location of the former Party House , which for decades was the centre of local political activity. In Olbrachcice and Albrechcice, on the other hand, we can find traces of the memory of local social workers - among others, a plaque dedicated to Karol Sliwka , a graphic artist, designer and populariser of Polish visual culture.

A symbol of the enduring presence of Polish musical culture in Zaolzie remains the monument to Frederic Chopin in Bogumin , unveiled in recognition of Poland's heritage in European culture. In turn, plaques on former Polish schools - in Karviná-Raj, Mosty near Jablunkov. Ligotka Kameralna or Bystrzyca - recall the network of educational institutions that nurtured the Polish language and tradition in the region for decades.

New forms of commemoration of an artistic nature have also emerged in recent decades . In Český Těšín, there is a contemporary sculpture "Dictionary" , which refers to the idea of understanding and language as a space shared by cultures. In the Sculpture Park , on the other hand, works by Polish artists can be seen, which are part of a broader current of cross-border dialogue in contemporary art.

In the religious context, commemorations of clergymen and people of merit in the church and social life of the region occupy an important place. In Karviná-Kopalni, there is a plaque on the church dedicated to Father Jędrzej Hałesz , a long-time pastor and defender of Polish identity in times of social change. In Horní Suchá, a plaque to Jozef Dostal (1826-1873) , reminding of the religious and national traditions of the village, has been preserved. In Bogumín, a monument to John Paul II was erected, which has become a contemporary symbol of the unity of the faithful communities on both sides of the Olše River.

In many parishes in the region - among others in Bledovice Dolne, Bystřice, Havířov, Nias and Ligotka Kameralna - foundation inscriptions in Polish have been preserved, reminding of the donors and founders of churches, chapels or pieces of sacral equipment.

All these objects, scattered in the space of Těšín Silesia, create a multi-threaded map of the memory of the Polish presence on the Czech side of the Olše River - a map in which the interweaving of history, faith, language and art still determines the rhythm of the region's cultural heritage.

List of sites commemorating the Polish presence in Czech Cieszyn Silesia

Secular commemorations:

1. Ludwik Zamenhof monument - Bogumin
2. Boulder with a plaque commemorating Jan Tacin and Henryk Jasiczek - Olbrachcice
3. Plaque dedicated to Jan Olszak - Karviná
4. Plaque commemorating the stay of Jozef Pilsudski - Jablunkov
5. Plaque commemorating the existence of the Workers' House - Český Těšín
6. Plaque commemorating the former Party House - Karviná-Kopalnie
7. Memorial to Frederic Chopin - Bogumin
8. Plaque to Karol Plum - Olbrechcice
9. Monument to Vincenc Vitos - Třinec
10. Commemorative plaques on former Polish schools - Karviná Paradise, Mosty near Jablunkov, Bystrzyca, among others

Artistic commemorations:

1. Sculpture "Dictionary" - Český Těšín
2. Sculptures by Polish artists in the Sculpture Park - Český Těšín

Religious commemorations:

1. Plaque dedicated to Rev. Jędrzej Hałesz - Karviná-Kopalnia
2. Plaque to Jozef Dostal (1826-1873) - Sucha Górna
3. Monument to Pope John Paul II - Bogumin
4. Monument to Rev. Władysław Santarius - Trzanovice
5. Foundation inscriptions in churches - Bystřice, Havířov, Nias , among others

Monuments, plaques and other memorials as well as wayside crosses and statues are described in separate entries.