CULTURAL EVENTS

Cultural Events 2008

Walt Disney – The Kingdom of Music: a family concert on December 22 at Warsaw’s Sala Kongresowa

The Kingdom of Music – the third concert of music from Walt Disney films performed by the Polish Radio Orchestra – is a musical event aimed at families with children.  The City of Warsaw is organizing the concert as a Christmas gift to the youth of Warsaw.  The Warsaw University Choir and soloists Gabriela Kulka, Karolinna Trębacz, Kuba Molęda, and Łukasz Dziedzic will also appear.
Ms. Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, the Mayor of Warsaw is the honorary patron of the project. The Embassy is proud to support this unique initiative, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley.  Free invitations are available at Traffic Club, ul. Bracka 25. Also visit: http://www.magicznekoncerty.pl 

Polish-American author Janusz Glowacki as the hero of a new documentary film

Polish-American author Janusz Glowacki  is the hero of a new documentary film that will premiere on Polish channel TVP2 on December 14, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley.  Featuring many of Glowacki’s  American friends, including playwright Arthur Miller, the documentary includes clips from his famous play “Cinders,” produced in 1984 by Joseph Papp’s Public Theater in New York, and his award-winning plays “Hunting Cockroaches” and “Antigone in New York.”
The documentary, titled “Depresja Mon Amour,” will have a special pre-screening in Warsaw at CSW Zamek Ujazdowski on Thursday, December 4 at 18:00. Producer: Media Kontakt 2008 

Embassy Supports Jazz Workshops at Chopin School of Music in Warsaw

Kevin Harris

Joel Press

The Embassy is proud to support the visit to Warsaw of two American music professors from the New England Conservatory  of  Music in Boston, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley. Pianist Kevin Harris and saxophonist Joel Press will conduct master classes on November 24-26 at 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00 at the Dziekanka, ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 58/60.  This project is organized by the Jazz Department of the Chopin Music School at Bednarska. For detailed program of workshops click here. Kevin Harris and Joel Press will also appear at a concert in Warsaw RABARBAR club ul. Wierzbowa 11 on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 20:00 with Piotr Rodowicz on bass.

American Conductor Eugene Tzigane will join the Polish Sinfonia Iuventus orchestra on Thanksgiving Day

Eugene Tzigane

American Conductor Eugene Tzigane will join the Polish Sinfonia Iuventus orchestra on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at the Studio W. Lutosławskiego at 20:00, announced Cultural Attache Chuck Ashley.  Ambassador Victor Ashe is the honorary patron of the concert. The program includes: K. Szymanowski - Concert  Overture in E Major; I. Starwinski: Concert Suite “Fire Bird” (1919); and P. Tchaikovsky: 5th Symphony in E Minor, p.64
Mr. Tzigane is the winner of the Grand Prize at the 2007 International Competition for Conductors in Katowice and often conducts concerts with Polish orchestras.
Mr. Tzigane is a graduate of the New York University (BA) and Julliard School (MA in conducting) and of the Royal College of Music, Stockholm.

American Soprano to Perform in Warsaw, Bialystok, and Other Towns

Eleanor Valkenburg, Artistic Director of the Poetica Musica  consortium of musicians, will pay a return visit to Poland in late October to conduct a series of master classes and perform in several cities and towns. Ms. Valkenburg’s first visit to Poland coincided with the 2003 American Days festival in Bialystok, where she appeared with Maria Garcia on piano and Barry Crawford on flute.
This year Ms. Valkenburg will be accompanied by American pianist Anne Taffel. In addition to events in Białystok, Kozłówka and Podkowa Leśna, they will play a special concert at the Paderewski Museum in Warsaw on October 24 and conduct master classes for music students of the Chopin Music School on Warsaw’s Bednarska Street.  For schedule of concerts please click here. (more)

The California Honeydrops

The California Honeydrops

Following their appearance at the 28th Rawa Blues Festival in Katowice, The California Honeydrops, quartet will play gigs in Warsaw on October 7-11. Influenced by artists such as Robert Johnson, Professor Longhair, and the Soul Stirrers, this group of young musicians breathes new life and inspiration into the nearly forgotten music of the American South. Combining the styles of ragtime, blues, gospel and soul all in an acoustic jug band format -- one thing is certain: there is no other band like the California Honeydrops. (more)

Special Film Series: “All the President’s Films” October 1-5

With the U.S. Presidential election just one month away, the U.S. Embassy and Kino Lab are jointly sponsoring a week-long program on American presidents and politics: “ALL THE PRESIDENT’S FILMS.”  The film series starts on Wednesday, October 1 with All the President’s Men by Alan Pakula. The series will include the classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Oliver Stone’s JFK,  Primary Colors by Mike Nichols, and two films by award-winning cinéma-vérité  pioneer Robert Drew: A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy and Primaries.
All the President’s Men is a film showing various aspects of the Chief Executive’s activities. So is the whole series – presenting the figures of American Presidents in the election process or at work, some aspects of power and back-stage games, corruption and democratic mechanisms, as well as attempts to reveal the truth and background of political decisions. (more)
For more information, please visit http://csw.art.pl/kino_lab

Festival Program:

Wednesday, October 1
20:30 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: All The President's Men; by Alan J. Pakula; USA; 138', free admission
Introduction by Cultural Attache Chuck Ashley, U.S. Embassy Warsaw
 
Thursday, October 2
20:30 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILM: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; by Frank Capra; USA; 125', free admission
Introduction by Assistant Cultural Attache Candace Faber,
U.S. Embassy Warsaw
 
Friday, October 3
17:30 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: Primary; by Drew Associates; USA 1960; 60', free admission
18:30 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy; by Drew Associates; USA 2008; free admission
20:00 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: JFK; by Oliver Stone; Francja/USA; 189', free admission
Introduction by Counsellor for Press and Culture Andrew Schilling,
U.S. Embassy Warsaw
 
Saturday, October 4
19:00 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: Advise & Consent; by Otto Preminger; USA; 142', free admission
21:30 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: Primary Colors; by Mike Nichols; USA; 142', free admission
Introduction by American Citizens Service Chief Christopher Snipes, U.S. Embassy Warsaw
 
Sunday, October 5
18:00 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S FILMS: The Contender; by Rod Lurie; USA/Francja/Wielka Brytania; 126', free admission
Introduction by Information Management Specialist Joseph Costantino, U.S. Embassy Warsaw

Revolutions 1968 opens at Zacheta with U.S. Embassy support

On September 15, the Embassy celebrated with Zacheta the successful opening of their “Revolutions 1968” exhibit. The exhibit presents this politically and socially turbulent period through art from all over Europe and the United States, and touches on themes such as civil rights, ecological movements, new forms of architecture, and changing institutions.  Works from several American artists are on display, including Christo & Jeanne-Claude, Eleanor Antin, the Wooster Group, and Andy Warhol’s “Silver Clouds.”  

Heroic Polish Woman’s Life Being Celebrated in Broadway Play

Ambassador Ashe Speaks to Students at 2008 Opening Ceremonies for Lazarski School

American Embassy will support the RAWA Blues Festival

American Embassy will once again support the RAWA Blues Festival in Katowice, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley.  The 28th edition of the festival will be held in October and feature American stars Debbie Davies, Seth Walker, Samuel James, and The California Honeydrops, a quartet who will also appear in Warsaw and Zakopane later in October.
One of the most popular blues lovers’ gatherings in Europe since 1981, RAWA will once again be accompanied by the special film series “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues,” featuring rare archival footage and new performances filmed by Wim Wanders, Richard Pearce, Charles Burnett, Clint Eastwood and many others.
For detailed program of the festival click here.

R&B, gospel and soul singer, Kirk Franklin

The world famous R&B, gospel and soul singer, Kirk Franklin will appear as a special star of the Warsaw Gospel Workshops, announced Cultural Attaché, Chuck Ashley.
Several Grammy Awards, Stellar and  American Music Awards winner Franklin is the only Gospel artist who has sold nearly 12 million CD’s. His albums were rated as the best Gospel album in USA eight times. This concert is his first ever and only concert in Central-Eastern Europe. 
Park Sowinskiego, ul. Elekcyjna 7, Thursday, September 11, 20:00

American Instructors to Feature in Annual Gospel Workshops in Osiek

American singing instructors Wanda Reese and Carmen Reese of Atlanta, Georgia, and the Jackson Singers group will come to this year’s Gospel Camp Meeting to conduct workshops for participants from all over Poland, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. We are proud to be supporting this fantastic program again. The 12th gathering of Polish gospel music lovers at Osiek will take place August 11-17. For a detailed program of workshops, competition, and concerts please visit www.gospel-osiek.com.pl The Jackson Singers will make a special appearance at a final concert on Sunday, August 17 at 18:00 in Gdansk St. John’s Church, ul. Swietojanska 50.

US Embassy Gdansk Events Continue with Bill Viola’s The Messenger

Bill Viola: The Messenger, 1996 Video/sound installation Photo: Kira Perov

The US Embassy’s focus this summer on Gdansk continued with its support for the presentation of The Messenger by American video artist Bill Viola in Gdansk the evening of August 8. Cultural Attaché James Wolfe joined Lawrence Okey Ugwu, Director of the Nadbaltyckie Centrum Kultury, and curator Olga Milogrodzka in delivering remarks at the opening in St. Jan’s Cathedral, which was attended by hundreds of art aficianados. Thanks to the efforts of the Baltic Sea Cultural Center this famous piece created especially for the Durham Cathedral, UK, was brought to Poland for this exhibit.  In May 2007 the Embassy supported the first individual presentation of Bill Viola’s works at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw. Among the Embassy’s other activities in the Tri-cities, on July 17, Ambassador Ashe opened a new American Corner in Gdansk and the Embassy is supporting the annual Gospel workshops in Osiek and performances by the Transversal Theater Company in Chorzow and Gdansk. (more)

California’s Transversal Theater Poland Tour Concludes With Gdansk Shakespeare Festival

more photos

The California-based Transversal Theater Company returned to Poland for its third tour in four years, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. The company performed its new musical, Lumping in Fargo, written by Bryan Reynolds and composer Michael Hooker, at Teatr Rozrywki in Chorzow on July 30 and the Gdańsk International Shakespeare Festival on August 8 and 9 at the Teatr Wybrzeże Malarnia. Their offbeat production played to a packed house in their Gdansk appearances. In 2005, they brought their production of Reynolds’ play Woof, Daddy to Rampa-Teatr Na Targówku in Warsaw, Teatr Polski-Malarnia in Poznan, and Teatr Kana in Szczecin. Last year they performed Blue Shade, also written by resident playwright Reynolds, at Teatr Lalek in Wrocław, Teatr Modjeska in Legnica, and Teatr 77 in Łódź. (more)

Eldar Djangirov Trio Plays for Packed Ballroom at Warsaw’s Hyatt Regency Hotel

Eldar Djangirov (more photos)

Eldar Djangirov returned to Poland for concerts in Krakow July 27 and Warsaw July 28 at the head of his new trio, The Eldar Djangirov Trio featuring Armando Gola on bass and John Brown on drums. The Warsaw concert was held in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, under the joint sponsorship of the American Embassy, the Hyatt, Casinos Poland, and E&Y Investment Ltd. Eldar had last played in Warsaw on November 28, 2007, in the Melodia Club. Over 200 jazz fans packed the ballroom for the electrifying performance before being invited to Casinos Poland’s Hyatt location for drinks and games with the artists. His website http://www.eldarjazz.com/index.html#201504 describes Eldar as a “hard bop/post-bop pianist” who “has accomplished something that the vast majority of jazz artists -- pianists or otherwise -- will never accomplish: he landed a contract with a major label and received a Grammy nomination before he could” legally be served alcoholic beverages in the USA. Eldar was labeled a prodigy with the release of his debut CD “Eldar” in 2005 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for his 2007 CD “Re-imagining.” Billboard magazine has praised him for having “the fastest hands in jazz.” Eldar has recorded 5 albums.

Danni Leigh Performed at Wolin Island’s Annual Country Music Festival

American honky-tonk style country music singer Danni Leigh was the featured star of this year’s Western Picnic in Sułomino on Wolin Island, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe.  Affiliated with several American and European labels, the singer was a 1999 nominee for the Rising Star Trophy (a British Country Music Award). She will perform at 20:00 on Saturday July 19 on the main stage. The “Western Piknik” is an event bringing together American folk music, blues, dance, rodeo, and many outdoor activities in the unique natural environment of Wolin Island in the village of Sułomino. This was the 11th edition of the best free country music festival in Poland, which annually attracts thousands of fans from both sides of the Polish-German border – and even farther away. It lasted from July 17-20. There was no charge for entrance and only a modest fee for parking. The Embassy was proud to support the festival again this year. (more)

Ambassador Ashe and Pomorskie Voivodeship Officials Open American Corner in Gdansk

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and Pomorskie Voivodeship Vice-marshal Wieslaw Byczkowski cut the ribbon to officially open the new American Corner in Gdansk’s Joseph Conrad Provincial and City Library at 13:30 on July 17. The ribbon cutting took place after a brief ceremony featuring short speeches by library Director Iwona Koperkiewicz, Deputy Director Pawel Braun, Ambassador Ashe, and Vice-Marshal Byczkowski. Invited guests included officials from the voivodeship and the Tri-Cities governments and representatives of local academic, cultural, and other institutions, as well as local media. In his comments, Ambassador Ashe stressed the importance of establishing an American Corner in a city that, as the birth place of Solidarity, symbolizes our shared values of freedom and democracy. (more)

Liss Fain Dance to Perform in Warsaw’s Lazienki Park July 11

Liss Fain Dance Photo credit RJ Muna (more photos)

The San Francisco group LISS FAIN DANCE will conclude its return to Poland with an outdoor performance in Warsaw’s Royal Lazienki Park at 18:00 on July 11, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. The concert in Lazienki’s Amphitheater on the lake will be open to the general public.
Renowned for its innovative blending of modern dance with the clarity and vertical lift of ballet, Liss Fain and her dancers will conduct workshops at the Warsaw Ballet School organized in cooperation with The Center for Modern Dance on July 11 and 12. For more details please see http://www.ctw.art.pl/. On this tour, the modern dance company also conducted workshops and performed at the Silesian Dance Festival in Bytom on July 4, in Ladek Zdroj on July 6, and in Lublin on July 9, and in. Show times and admission information will be posted as it becomes available.
The appearance of Liss Fain Dance in Warsaw is possible thanks to the generous support of Intercontinental Hotel, our partner in many cultural initiatives, and the Royal Lazienki Park. (more)

Ambassador Attends Vivat Pulaski Event in Warka

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe attended the opening of Vivat Pulaski Day in Warka Sunday, July 6.  The event is one of two annual events the town honoring the life of Kazimierz Pulaski, the Polish hero who assisted the United States during the Revolutionary War.  The Pulaski Museum in the town of Warka honors Pulaski and Polish-American friendship.  The Vivat Pulaski Day event is also a symbolic celebration of American Independence Day.  Ambassador Ashe spoke at the event, saying, "General Pułaski was a true Polish patriot who loved freedom so much that when he could not deliver it to his home, he gave his life to help secure freedom for the United States of America.  All over America, parks, cities, streets, and other monuments continue to pay tribute to this famous son of Warka and show our gratitude." (more)

Ambassador Ashe addresses guests (more photos)

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and U.S. Embassy staff hosted an American Independence Day celebration at Biedermann Palace in Lodz on June 30, in celebration of 232 years of U.S. independence.  More than 200 Polish leaders of public and religious life, representatives of business and educational institutions and other members of the public attended the event.  Ambassador Ashe remarked that "Today, America's ties with Poland are stronger than ever."  Mayor of Lodz Jerzy Kropiwnicki also addressed the crowd.  Also present for the event were Voivode Jolanta Chelminska, Marszalek Wlodzimierz Fisiak, members of parliament, and local authorities.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and Mrs. Joan Ashe hosted an entertaining and exciting American Independence Day celebration at the Ambassador's Residence in Warsaw on July 3.  More than 2,200 people attended to celebrate the 232nd Anniversary of Independence of the United States of America. Ambassador Ashe addressed the guests made up of Cabinet Ministers, government officials, leaders of public and religious life in Poland, and many others and stated that "Just as Americans cherish the fundamental rights set forth in our Declaration of Independence, so too, you in Poland have a special appreciation of liberty." (more)

CSW at Ujazdowski Castle Begins KINO.LATO Film Festival

The 6th KINO.LATO film festival  at CSW Ujazdowski Castle was launched on July 4, with Dennis Hopper’s  legendary Easy Rider (1969), announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. This year the festival is dedicated to road movies and its aim is to present this varied and ever changing genre and its influence on world cinema. The festival organizers note that this genre has its roots in spoken and written tales of epic journeys, such as the Odyssey and the Aeneid. The modern "road picture" is believed to be a contemporary version of the Medieval heroic quest. The on-the-road plot was used at the birth of American Cinema but blossomed in the years after WWII, reflecting the boom of America's post-war automobile industry and youth culture and the growth of a related movement in American literature.  Arthur Pen’s Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and David Lynch’s Straight Story will be among the films presented during the festival. More info: http://www.kinolab.art.pl/info.php?id=177

Detroit Artist to Perform Concert of American Organ Music

American organist Norah Duncan IV performed a recital of organ works written by American composers Thursday July 10 at 19:30 in Warsaw’s Holy Cross Basilica, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, announced Cultural Attaché, James Wolfe. The all-American program featured organ music written in the United States of America during its entire 232-year history, starting with William Selby, a composer dating from the American Revolutionary War (Fugue in D Major) and reaching to contemporary composer Ralph Simpson (Jacob’s Ladder). Among the many composers included in the program was one of Polish-American descent: the late Thomas M. Kuras of Detroit, who was represented by his chorale prelude on the Sicilian Marian hymn, O Sanctissima. (more)

Randy Brecker and Wlodek Pawlik Trio Played in Bialystok and Tykocin Synagogue

Randy Brecker  Copyright: Jazz San Javier

American jazz trumpet star Randy Brecker headlined a jazz concert in Bialystok July 4 at 19:00, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe.  Brecker performed with Poland’s Wlodek Pawlik Trio (Włodek Pawlik - piano, Paweł Pańta - bass, Cezary Konrad - percussion) and Bialystok’s Orkiestra Filharmonii Podlaskiej for Wlodek Pawlik’s jazz suite “Tykocin” (Marcin Nalecz will conduct). Brecker and the Wlodek Pawlik Trio will performed July 6 at 19:00 in Tykocin in the old synagogue. (more)

Ambassador Welcomes Students Visiting Poland for English Teaching Program

Ambassador Ashe with WorldTeach Volunteers and Organizers

Ambassador Victor Ashe met on June 26 with a group of fifteen American university students visiting Poland as part of the WorldTeach Summer Program. The students will be teaching English to middle and high school students around Poland in special summer school sessions and living with local Polish host families. Ambassador Ashe spoke to the volunteers about Polish history and over 230 years of close ties between Poland and America.  He also urged the students to take advantage of their opportunity to see the many beautiful and historical sites in Poland near where they will live and teach over the summer. (more)

Cultural Attaché speaks to English Teachers – New U.S. Map For Classrooms Unveiled

Cultural Attache James Wolfe addresses teachers

Cultural Attaché James Wolfe spoke on June 23 to well over 500 teachers of English from around Poland at the English Teaching Market in Stare Jablonki, which featured the unveiling of a new U.S. wall map for classrooms. The main speaker at the opening session was Polish Minister of Education Katarzyna Hall. The annual three-day event, organized by the Nida Foundation and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation (PAFF), is open to teachers of English who may attend free of charge. Wolfe highlighted for the teachers the Embassy's numerous outreach programs for schools, including Speakers Bureau, Meet America, and English Teaching programs, as well as the development of Young Learners Resource Centers in Poland. The teachers also witnessed the unveiling of the brand new, large wall map of the United States of America size, jointly designed and developed by the Embassy, Nida, and PAFF for use in English classes. (more) (more photos)

Martha Stewart Opens Exhibit of Her Photographs in Warsaw

Famed housekeeping and decorating guru Martha Stewart visited Warsaw June 20 to open the first exhibition of her photography in Poland, announced Cultural Attaché, James Wolfe. The collection of American landscape photos by this icon of American pop-culture (with Polish family roots) was brought to Poland from New York by Nielsen Polska. The opening took place June 20 at 19:00 and the exhibit will remain on display at the salon of Almi Décor in Zlote Tarasy until July 5.
(more)

Jeus Christ Superstar Played in Warsaw

Warsaw-based American conductor Joseph Herter brought a production of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar to Warsaw Monday June 9 at 20:00, announced Cultural Attache James Wolfe.  The production by the Teatr Rozrywki in Chorzow took place at the Amfiteatr Sowinskiego on ulica Elekcyjna 17 in Warsaw's Wola district.  The performance was in a Polish translation of the original play by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. The leads were played by the well-known Polish rock singers Macjej Balcar as Jesus and Janusz Radek as Judas. Herter has been associated with the Chorzow company for nearly 20 years. 

The American Embassy supported the Polish - American music project URBANATOR DAYS

Polish Jazz legend Michal Urbaniak and guests treated an enthusiastic crowd to a spectacular concert June 22 in Warsaw’s Sowinski Park to close out the URBANATOR DAYS weekend. The American Embassy supported this special Polish - American music project, which was a unique opportunity for musical youth to debut their talent on stage with top professional jazz musicians. “We are very proud that we could offer our assistance for this great event,” announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. The weekend of activity included music workshops on Saturday June 21 and the concert by Michal Urbaniak’s URBANATOR and selected young musicians. This project was a chance to work with American and European artists: Michal Urbaniak, violin; Troy Miller, drums; Otto Williams, bass; Femi, guitar; Dan Blackman, keyboards & vocal; and Nato, drums. For more info: www.urbanatordays.com (more) (more photos)

The exhibit “Reflections: Painting with Pixels” by Polish-American artist Przemyslaw Moskal.

The exhibit “Reflections: Painting with Pixels” by Polish-American artist Przemyslaw Moskal was presented at the Media Art Gallery at Spokojna 15, opening on June 12 at 18:00. Moskal also lectured on interactive art in the U.S. at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, June 13 at 12:00 ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 5, Sala 5, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. "Reflections" is an interactive art installation that involves a viewer in pixel painting of his or her image. (more)

American Filmmaker’s Documentary on Psychiatrist R.D. Laing Shown at Muranów

A special screening and discussion of (former Fulbright scholar) Richard W. Adams’ and Peter Robinson’s feature-length documentary ASYLUM was the centerpiece of a program at Kino Muranów on Tuesday May 27, from 20:00 – 23:00, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. The event was devoted to the work of the late Scottish „anti-psychiatrist” R.D.Laing, author of The Divided Self, The Politics of Experience, and Knots.... and to his influence on the humanistic psychiatry movement in Poland in the 1970s. The program began with excerpts from rare footage of Laing touring American campuses in 1972 at the height of his fame as a guru of the counter-culture. Following the films was a discussion, focusing on life in Laing's controversial therapeutic commune in London in 1971, where „patients” and therapists lived as fellow human beings. (more)

Walt Disney Music Concert for Children May 27 at Kongresowa Hall

© Disney (more photos)

Magic Music - the second concert of music from Walt Disney films by the Polish Radio Orchestra – is a musical event aimed at families with children organized by the City of Warsaw and is a gift for the youngest inhabitants of Warsaw on the occasion of Children's Day, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. During the concerts, excerpts of Walt Disney movies were shown along with live music played by the Polish Radio Orchestra conducted by  Łukasz Borowicz, the prizewinning and acclaimed Polish conductor and State Department  Exchange Program Alumnus. We were proud to support this event. (more)

American Filmmaker and Fulbright Scholar Minna Zielonka-Packer Presented Her Documentary “Back To Gombin”.

Minna Zielonka-Packer presented her documentary “Back to Gombin” and talked about her work on the feature film “The Lilliput,” which she has been filming in Poland, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe.  The filmmaker, a child of Holocaust survivors, chronicles the tragic history of the Jews of the town of Gombin (Gabin), a small town in central Poland and the birthplace of her father. She is currently in Poland as a Fulbright scholar. Her current scheduled appearances took place in Lodz (May 14), Warsaw (May 15), and Krakow (May 27-28). Her appearances were arranged by the American Embassy, American Consulate General in Krakow, and the American Corner in Lodz.
Interviews of remaining survivors, who grew up as friends and relatives are interwoven with illuminating, historic footage filmed in 1937 by Sam Rafel on his trip to Gombin as a chairman of the Gombin Relief Committee. Survivors’ testimony of the ghettos, the camps and methods of survival are juxtaposed with images of prewar innocence, the Jews of Gombin celebrating and posing for the camera. This is further combined with candid interviews of the children of the survivors speaking about the impact on their lives of growing up in the shadow of death with their survivor parents. (more photos) (more)

Translations: Multi-disciplinary exhibition of art and music by foreign artists living in Warsaw

May 2008 saw the first-ever multi-disciplinary art and music exhibition presented by American and other foreign artists living in Warsaw who have formed an ex-pat artistic group “Translations”. The combined spaces of Komuna Otwock theatre and Pracownia Wschodnia gallery on Lubelska Street 30/32 hosted the exhibition May 8-31 as well as showed accompanying special events featuring American artists. The “Translations” project is another proof of the ongoing American contribution to cultural and artistic life in Poland, bringing American art and culture closer to Polish public through interactive artistic events and exhibits. (more)

American Evening at the 5th International Film Festival Jewish Motifs

Thursday, April 24 was the American Evening at the 5th International Film Festival Jewish Motifs at the MURANOW  theater, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. The Embassy hosted a small reception in the cinema lobby for those attending that night. Filmmakers from all over the world were invited to compete in three categories: the best feature, documentary, and short film. The prize was a statuette of the Warsaw Phoenix -- a symbol of revival.
Through the art of cinema the audiences have learned about the Jewish identity and experience throughout history and about the preservation of Jewish tradition and culture. Here at the American Embassy we think it is especially important to build tolerance for multiculturalism and to promote mutual understanding between people and nations.

United States Air Force in Europe Band returned to Poland

USAFE logo (more photos)

The USAFE Band visited Poland, with two mixed ensembles touring in northwestern and eastern part of the country April 18-25, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw was pleased to welcome the USAFE Band again in Poland and support its program. The USAFE Band members are active duty U.S. Air Force musicians whose mission is to enhance the image of the United States through their rich repertoire and musically vared live performances and international broadcasts. In Poland the USAFE Band ensembles played, among many other musical pieces, Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein, arranged by Cliff Townsend, as well as musical pieces by Carl Nielsen, Mozart, Copland, Bach, and Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury, arranged by Harold Oliver. (more)

Warsaw Conference on Demographics in Polish Towns

The American Embassy was a proud sponsor of a Warsaw conference organized by the Foundation Diversity Forum (Fundacja Forum Roznorodnosci) to discuss changing demographics of Polish towns caused by the increasing numbers of immigrants from different regions and cultures, announced Cultural Attache James Wolfe. The Forum notes that Poland is “now witnessing the emergence of a multiethnic, multicultural and diverse urban society. What are the challenges and how can this potential be used to the advantage of old and new inhabitants? – these are just a couple of the many issues the conference addressed.” The conference was conceived in part to honor African-American History Month (February) and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 21.  The conference was free to the public and took place at the Klubokawiarnia at Chłodna 25 on Saturday March 29. (more)

Mary Kelly Exhibiting in Warsaw

Love Songs, Multistory House 2007, Detail, courtesy: documenta 12 (more photos)

American icon of feminist art Mary Kelly was the guest of honor at the opening of an exhibition of her selected works at the CCA Ujazdowski Castle.  Her visit to Poland was possible thanks to joint support of the Trust for Mutual Understanding, American Embassy and Intercontinental Hotel, Warsaw. The exhibition is an overwiew of the artist’s work and features some of her most famous early pieces such as Antepartum, 1973, and MeaCulpa, 1999.  The exhibit also showed her most recent work, Love Songs, dating from 2005-2007.  This work is a remix of photo classics and oral histories of the 1970s and captures events that have affected two generations of women. (more)

Khalif 'Wailin' Walter visited Warsaw March 10-11

Khalif Walter at Bednarska Music School

African-American History Month extended beyond February when Blues musician and lecturer Khalif “Wailin’” Walter  visited Warsaw March 10-11, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe.  This dynamic American guitarist and singer from Chicago presented a combination performance and lecture on Urban Electric Blues on March 10 at SWPS. On March 11 he also meet students and faculty at Bednarska Music School and played a special concert there at 20:00 with Piotr Rodowicz (bass), Krzysztof Kwiatkowski (drums) and Jacek Prokopowicz (organs). Khalif “Wailin’” Walter’s appearance was made possible in part by the generous support of the Intercontinental Hotel in Warsaw. (more)

American Conductor David Handel and two American Voices artists will join the Koszalin Philharmonic Orchestra.

David Handel

American Conductor David Handel and two American Voices artists – soprano Charlae Olaker and baritone Lawrence Craig – joined the Koszalin Philharmonic Orchestra in an all American program of March 14 concert, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe. Ambassador Victor Ashe served as the honorary patron for the concert, which featured works by Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber and George Gershwin and was a highlight of the orchestra's 2008 - 2009 concert season. For background information about David Handel and American Voices artists please visit  www.americanvoices.org (more)

Know America Competition Winners visit Warsaw.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe hosted 30 high-school student winners of this year’s Know America Contest at a reception at his residence on March 26, 2008.  The Ambassador presented certificates to each of the 30 winners and awarded “Cultural Links” diplomas to contest coordinators Piotr Szczepański, President of the Rural Development Foundation, and Justyna Duriasz-Bułhak, also of the Foundation. The reception was attended by competition winners, their parents and principals, American studies experts, Mr. Eugeniusz Grzeszczak, PSL Sejm Deputy, and Mr. Zbigniew Konwiński, PO Sejm Deputy from Słupsk. (more)

The American Choir Variations in Poland 

"Variations" Choir (more photos)

The American choir Variations launched its tour of Poland with a free concert at Warsaw’s Wilanow Palace on Monday March 3, Cultural Attaché James Wolfe announced.  The choir is made up of 36 students from Tennessee’s Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Ambassador Victor Ashe and Pawel Jaskanis, Director of the Wilanow Palace, were the co-sponsors of this special concert, organized in cooperation with the Wilanow Academy.  The group’s 18 men and 18 women performed a program that provided a balanced mix of traditional choral music with American folk songs, African American spirituals, and lighter fare such as Broadway selections. The program included a cappella selections and others accompanied by piano. The choir will also perform in Chelm and Lublin on March 4, as well as in Krakow, Wieliczka, and Auschwitz March 5-7.
For a short selection of music and video from the choir’s 2007 tour of Normandy and Paris, please visit: http://etsms.pstcc.edu/ets/france-video/. The choir performed at Notre Dame Cathedral while in Paris.(more)

Levin speaks on American Jewish Women Artists and the Feminist Movement in Poland

On February 27 and 28, 2008, Professor of Art History of the City University of New York, Gail Levin, spoke to audiences at the Center for Contemporary  Art at the Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw and the Muzeum Sztuki in Lodz. On February 27, Levin spoke at the U.S. Embassy's "America Presents" program on "Becoming Judy Chicago: An Artist's Response to American Culture" at theUjazdowski Castle in Warsaw. Levin's presentation was based on a recently written well-received biography of the feminist artist. Levin told the story of how Judy Chicago developed as an artist and feminist, and as a revolutionary arts educator. Levin showed slides of Chicago's work in reference to other contemporary artists and her famous “Dinner Party”  installation which is a tribute to women intellectuals, artists, and leaders throughout time. Levin answered questions about Judy Chicago's influence outside of the United States, her exhibitions, and current work from the audience. (more)

Dyer discusses U.S. programs to combat violence againts women in Warsaw.

On February 20, Cindy Dyer, Director of the Office of Violence Against Women of the U.S. Department of Justice, spoke at a reception hosted by the Deputy Chief of Mission Mary Curtin on the work of her office in assisting domestic violence victims. Dyer, who was visiting Poland, to particpate in a conference organized by the Ministry of Justice on February 21-22, 2008, in Poland, by the Ministry of Justice, spoke about the role of her office, the type of funding she provides, and the current U.S. legal framework on issues related to violence against women. She then answered questions related to statistics of domestic violence in the United States, what kind of services they fund, and spoke about her background as both a prosecutor and service provider in a domestic violence shelter from the audience. The audience asked questions related to the structure of several audience members and also asked questions about the legal framework to prosecute stalkers and protect stalking victims. After her remarks, Dyer had an opportunity to meet with Polish governmental officials, members of parliament, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Jazz in January = Jazzuary

Dan Tepfer Trio (more photos)

January 2008 was an exceptionally jazzy month. The American Embassy was happy to co-sponsor two outstanding jazz groups touring Poland and the region during “Jazzuary”, announced Cultural Attaché James Wolfe.  The Dan Tepfer Trio from New York appeared January 15-21 in Warsaw (three shows), Torun, Gdansk, Zakopane, and Krakow.  American bassist Anthony Cox toured with Polish saxophone player Adam Pieronczyk in Poland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia from January 15-30 as the Anthony Cox /Adam Pieronczyk Quartet (photos).  They were joined by Australian Adrian Mears on trombone and didgeridoo and Krzysztof Dziedzic on drums for concerts in Sucha Beskidzka, Torun, Gdansk, Gorzow Wlkp, Tarnow, Krakow, and Warsaw.(more on Dan Tepfer Trio) (more on Anthony Cox/Adam Pieronczyk Quartet)