Muzeum Izba Polska

"Beet girls" in Sakskøbing

Around year 1900 a large group of Polish immigrants - mostly young women - came to Denmark to work here. For many of these persons concerned they worked on the islands of Lolland and Falster in the fields of sugar beets, and one started to call them “roepiger”, which means “beet girls”. In the year of 1940 the sculpture “Roepigerne” or “The Beet Girls” - created by the sculptor Gottfred Eickhoff - was erected in Sakskøbing, which is placed on Lolland. It was created in memory of the Polish immigrants, who at that time by and large had become respected and fully integrated members of the society.

  • "Beet girls" in Sakskøbing
  • "Beet girls" in Sakskøbing
  • "Beet girls" in Sakskøbing

The celebration of the 75th anniversary for Eickhoffs sculpture was held between the 25th and the 27th November 2015. On the 25th of November the expert on Polish immigration Søren Kolstrup told about the Polish immigrants’ history since 1892 till today at Saxenhus in Sakskøbing. The 27th of November Sakskøbing Tambour-Corps, Brass Band and an exhibition on the sugar beets production on Lolland contributed to the festivities surrounding the anniversary.

The 27th of November was also the day, where the celebrations culminated with the unveiling of a plaque in memory of the Polish “beet girls” and their great contribution to the development of the local society. Speeches were also held. The Polish ambassador - who had visited Museum Polakkasernen previously that day - surprised everyone and won the applause of the audience, when she performed nearly all of her speech in Danish (she had only been ambassador for 14 days, but had worked for the Østersø-council in Copenhagen in 2003). The mayor in the municipality of Guldborgsund John Brædder gave a detailed presentation of the beet Poles’ and the “beet girls’” history.

Exhibition

Contact

Museum Polish Barrack

Højbygårdvej 34, Tågerup, 4970 Rødby
Phone: 25 77 92 01
Mail: 

CVR 35612831

MobilePay: 69 85 44

Admission DKK 50 -  adults. Children under 12 free.

The Museum is open to visitors throughout Easter 2024 from Maundy Thursday to the 2nd of Easter (28 March to 1 April) - every day from 14.00 to 16.00.

The museum opens as planned for individual visits from 2 July 2024 to and including 29 September and in week 42 every day except Monday from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

It will also be possible to arrange group visits (minimum 10 people) during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October outside the normal opening hours. Group visits must be arranged on telephone 25 77 92 01. Inquiries can also be made by email: info@polakkasernen.dk

 

 

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The project is co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Polonia funds.
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