A ceremony Friday, Feb. 17, will celebrate the opening of a display commemorating the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus.

The Leddy Library is hosting the exhibit in collaboration with Windsor’s Polish community as Canada’s national inauguration of the Copernicus Jubilee (550). Friday’s launch reception will begin at 1:30 p.m. The display will be available for public viewing from 3:30 p.m. Feb. 17 to 6 p.m. Feb. 18.

Copernicus, a Polish polymath of the Renaissance, made significant contributions to astronomy and mathematics that are still applied today. His revolutionary vision of science and theory of the sun’s placement at the centre of our solar system changed human understanding of the universe.

“Nicolaus Copernicus is perhaps the most famous Polish scientist of all time,” said Jerry Barycki, president of the Polish-Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor and lead in working with Leddy Library from the Polonia community in Windsor. “His work was revolutionary in astronomy 500 years ago and much of what followed in astronomical physics was built on his scientific discoveries.”

Witold Dzielski, ambassador of the Republic of Poland, will join the celebration at Leddy Library along with Janusz Tomczak, president of the Canadian Polish Congress; Dominik Roszak, vice-chair of the World Polonia Council; and other dignitaries.

“The Leddy Library and the Polonia community have collaborated to present dozens of exhibits over the years,” says Pascal Calarco, Polonia liaison librarian. “These events compliment the comprehensive Polonia Collection available at Leddy Library that has been generously supported by the Polonia community.”

After leaving Windsor, the Copernicus display will travel to several Canadian cities including Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa and will be presented to the Polish Senate in Warsaw later this year.

Learn more on the Leddy Library website.

—Marcie Demmans