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Jan Karski to be awarded posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Obama will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jan Karski, a former officer in the Polish Underground during World War II who was among the first to provide eyewitness accounts of the Holocaust to the world. The medal will be presented this summer on a date yet to be determined.

Karski was a long time member of The Kosciuszko Foundation and The American Center of Polish Culture (ACPC), which became heirs of Karski’s last will and testament.

On April 7, 2011, Kosciuszko Foundation President Alex Storozynski and Kaya Ploss, former Director of the ACPC, which is now part of the Kosciuszko Foundation, wrote to President Obama asking him to honor Jan Karski “a man of courage and great distinction who was a citizen of Poland, the United States and Israel. As representatives of the two Polish organizations in America that were beneficiaries of Jan Karski’s will, and having merged last year, we hope that you would consider awarding Jan Karski the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

The foundation was later joined in the quest by The Jan Karski Centennial Campaign, an initiative of the Polish History Museum in Warsaw. Members of the steering committee that have been pushing the campaign include: Alex Storozynski, President and Executive Director of The Kosciuszko Foundation; Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter; Robert L. Billingsley, Co-Chair, Georgetown University Jan Karski Centennial Campaign; David Harris, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee; Andrzej Rojek, Kosciuszko Foundation Trustee; and campaign director Wanda Urbanska.

Jan Karski speaking at the Kosciuszko Foundation

The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

President Obama said, “We must tell our children about how this evil was allowed to happen-because so many people succumbed to their darkest instincts; because so many others stood silent. But let us also tell our children about the Righteous Among the Nations. Among them was Jan Karski-a young Polish Catholic-who witnessed Jews being put on cattle cars, who saw the killings, and who told the truth, all the way to President Roosevelt himself. Jan Karski passed away more than a decade ago. But today, I’m proud to announce that I will honor him with America’s highest civilian honor-the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

Karski served as an officer in the Polish Underground during World War II and carried among the first eye-witness accounts of the Holocaust to the world. He worked as a courier, entering the Warsaw ghetto and the Nazi Izbica transit camp, where he saw first-hand the atrocities occurring under Nazi occupation. Karski later traveled to London to meet with the Polish government-in-exile and with British government officials. He subsequently traveled to the United States and met with President Roosevelt. Karski published Story of a Secret State, earned a Ph.D at Georgetown University, and became a professor at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. Born in 1914, Karski became a U.S. citizen in 1954 and died in 2000.

Art, Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

Eastern Michigan adds Polish Curriculum

Polish Curriculum Added at EMU
Yankees versus Tigers at Polish-American Baseball in Detroit on June 1st
by Jacek Adamski

YPSILANTI– The campus of Eastern Michigan University was abuzz with action as the school’s intercollegiate basketball teams hosted Polish-American Heritage Day at the Convocation Center. Besides the variety of attractions there were some special Polish-American news announcements that highlighted the event. There was history, music trivia and prizes to draw in the students. The biggest draw was the Polish food presentations.

The event was loaded with sports information and Polish history, here sports broadcaster Raymond Rolak talks to EMU assistant football coach Mike Hart about opportunities to play American football in Poland. Photo by Lars Hjemlroth

Polish Rock-pop singing sensation, Magda Kaminski, performed at breaks during the games. She was a big hit doing routines and songs from her new CD at both halftimes. She handled the many photo requests with grace and mingled freely with the post concert crowd. The Wawel Folk Ensemble and the PNA Centennial Dancers performed during the TV timeouts. The Wawel troupe wowed the audience with their colorful costume changes.

The event provided a platform for dialogue and creative connections. Groups and people affiliated with Polish culture and those in attendance had an opportunity to make connections and build relationships. Also, awareness was generated throughout the community and beyond.

EMU’s marketing and graduate studies program used the event as a skills development assignment and blitzed awareness with the addition of social media for the occasion. Other EMU activities were highlighted such as the faculty art exhibition and the upcoming graduate student art exhibition through March 8, at the Ford Gallery on campus.

A variety of historic and art displays were showcased in the atrium lobby along with an academic presentation by the EMU World Language Department. Considering the global economy shifts, the EMU World Language Department showed how communication has become essential in more than one language. The handouts introduced why it is so important to have a good understanding of other cultures. Dr. Rosemary Weston-Gil was on hand for questions. Additionally, resource materials were provided for study abroad.

It was also announced that EMU would be starting a Polish curriculum next September.

The EMU E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012 was introduced and a presentation about the Polish-American Football League, Polska Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego, with EMU assistant football coach Mike Hart and sports broadcaster Raymond Rolak was popular.

Carol Surma, president of Friends of Polish Art said, “I had nice discussions with folks who were interested in our upcoming 75th anniversary celebration and new audiences to network our scholarship programs.”

Chris Ozog said, ”This was a great opportunity for everyone to come together and highlight the activities of other organizations. Who knew so many Americans were playing professional basketball in Poland? This event also shows why an introduction to languages can be so relevant for global bussiness.” Ozog also presented information about the upcoming Polish-American Night at Comerica Park with the home town Detroit Tigers.

It was announced that Friday, June 1, 2012 will be the date and the New York Yankees are the added draw. Ted Klamerus, a board member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame helped ambassador the baseball announcement.

The 2012 NPASHF induction will be Thursday, June 21, at the American-Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan. A lively question and answer period held the attrention of many. Rolak, a past chairman of the NPASHF was in demand with questions and trivia regarding Polish-American sports history.

Also a display on basketball, koszykowka, opportunities in Poland was a highlight. It explained the exchange of players between Europe and America. This year, there are 68 American men and 44 American women playing professional basketball in Poland, including Lauren Prochoska formerly of Bowling Green. She was the Mid-American Conference Women’s Tournament MVP last year in Cleveland. Anna Kowalska, a Polish National and also an assistant coach for the visiting Kent State women talked about her NCAA basketball experiences in America.

The Polish Times had a popular display about the Polish aviators of World War II and the Battle of Britain. A local art club presented awards to the most outstanding educational displays including those presented by the PRCUA, Michigan Polish American Congress, and the Polish National Alliance.

Malgosia Myc was available to extend information on how to access research archives of the Polish Detroit history collection at the Bentley Library at the University of Michigan along with information regarding the Polish Ann Arbor Film Festival.

Telewizja-Detroit a video service in the Detroit area and a continuous podcaster of Polish information had a display and TV message board available for those in attendance. Another popular attraction was the Polish food offerings presented from Srodek’s of Hamtramck, Michigan. There were video highlights of the Srodek television episode that aired on the popular Bizarre Foods TV show on the Travel Channel hosted by Andrew Zimmern.

Four year EMU basketball letter winner Kamil Janton, also a Polish National, had an outstanding role in the men’s 68-55 win over Ohio University. His ten minutes of defensive play at center contributed greatly to the win.

Another highlight was in the EMU women’s victory over Kent State, 83-47. EMU’s Tavelyn James lit up the scorboard with 40 points. She was mobbed after the game by the CYO girls youth teams in attendance. Her performance earned her MAC Player of the Week honors.

Stella Szczesny, a Michigan director for the Polish National Alliance said, “This is a great location for the Polish community of Wayne County and Washtenaw County to meet. I have met people here from Lucas County and Toledo, Ohio. We have a PNA Polanie Ball tonight or I would stay to the very end.”

PolVision of Chicago carried a feature from the game and there were broadcast highlights of the event telecast to Poland.

Editors Note: Jacek Adamski is a Polish sports writer at Polish American Sports.

Art, Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , ,

For those in the Metro New York area, or who need a trip

Head to the 8th Annual New York Polish Film Festival, being held Friday, May 4th through Tuesday, May 8th at the Indie Screen Theatre in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The New York Polish Film Festival (NYPFF) offers viewers an opportunity to celebrate Polish cinema and the rare opportunity to interact with the filmmakers themselves. NYPFF showcases features, shorts and documentaries created by distinguished filmmakers, both new and long-established. NYPFF is the largest festival promoting and presenting Polish films on the East Coast. This year the NYPFF is incorporating a new segment, “Neighboring Cinema.” This segment will present three awarded films from post communist countries — Russia, Rumania, and the Czech Republic.

This year the Film Festival is coming to trendy Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The screenings will take place at Indie Screen Theatre. Festival’s films will also be presented in Manhattan and Queens.

Thanks to NYPFF thousands have been afforded the opportunity to see Polish cinema in New York.

Events, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

PNCC Pastor, Fr. Bernard Nowicki to lead the 75th Pulaski Day parade in Manhattan

From The Jersey Journal: Bayonne pastor Rev. Bernard Nowicki to lead the 75th Pulaski Day parade in Manhattan and the Am-Pol Eagle.

Rev. Bernard Nowicki, pastor of the Heart of Jesus Polish National Catholic Church in Bayonne, will lead the contingent for the 2012 tri-state Pulaski Day parade in Manhattan and for the activities in celebration of the 75th anniversary year.

His selection was announced by Richard Romelczyk, chairman of the Bayonne Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee.

Fr. Nowicki was honored at a Sashing Brunch on April 14 at the Chandelier Restaurant in Bayonne.

Fr. Nowicki is a native of western New York where he participated in the Polish dancing troupe founded by his mother, participated in a seven-week church youth excursion to Poland, was a presenter of Polish language declamations and poetry at celebratory occasions, and appeared in various stage presentations.

Fr. Nowicki served as the pastor of two parishes in the Pittsburgh area where he met and married Barbara Ann Liberasky. They have a daughter, Berit Elizabeth, who resides in Massachusetts.

Fr. Nowick is chaplain of the NY-NJ Seniorate United Choirs, a chapter of the PNC National United Choirs (NUC) that was organized to advance and preserve Polish musical culture.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political, , , , ,

Visa free travel for Poles wishing to visit the United States – action needed

Senator Charles Schumer says: ‘Drop Visas For Poland’
Polish Americans Can Make It Happen

After years of broken promises from Washington, Poland finally has a chance of being included in the Visa Waiver Program thanks to Sen. Chuck Schumer. Sen. Schumer came to the Kosciuszko Foundation on Friday, March 3rd for a meeting with Alex Storozynski, President of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Nowy Dziennik publisher Leszek Sadowski, Polish Consul Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka and members of other Polish organizations to discuss his new legislation called the “Jolt Act.”

“I am committed to getting this done,” Schumer said during an hour and a half meeting with Polish leaders at the Kosciuszko Foundation. “But you have to work at it,” he said. “This has to come from you.”

When Schumer marched in New York’s Pulaski Day Parade in October, the Kosciuszko Foundation, the Nowy Dziennik and others brought the Visa Waiver issue to his attention and urged him to find a way to drop visas for Poland. Sen. Schumer promised to do something. He kept his word. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, Schumer took several immigration bills sponsored by various Senators and combined them into one bill.

Senators Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Mark Kirk of Illinois sponsored legislation to include Poland in the VWP. And in the House of Representatives a bipartisan collection Congressmen such as Mike Quigley, Dan Lipinski, Marcy Kaptur, and others have done the same. These bills are now part of the “Jolt Act” to boost tourism. It will add billions of dollars to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next decade. It will also cut red tape for tourists and business travelers from India, Brazil, China, and increase tourism from Canada.

But now Polish-Americans across the United States, especially those in swing states, must unite to ensure that the “Jolt Act” becomes law. We must get President Obama’s attention.

When President Obama was a Senator from Illinois, he told Polish-Americans that he supported Poland’s inclusion in the visa waiver program. Obama’s former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, made the same promise as a Congressman from Chicago. But nothing has been done despite numerous pledges to act. When the President met with Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski in the Oval Office on December 8, 2010, Mr. Obama said, “I indicated to President Komorowski that I am going to make this a priority. And I want to solve this issue before very long. My expectation is, is that this problem will be solved during my presidency.”

Earlier this month, after a meeting with Poland’s Foreign Minster Radek Sikorski, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked about this issue and said, “I know the President pledged that this would be done before the end of his presidency, and probably that will be a little longer than the end of this year.”

President Obama received 56% percent of the Polish-American vote in 2008, to McCain’s 44%. The swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania have very large Polish populations. And don’t forget the 430,000 Polish-Americans in Florida. This is why self-identified Polish Americans and Polonian organizations across the United States must rise up to demand that visas for Poland be dropped – especially those in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania – the home state of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Take action

To find your Congressman and their e-mail address, log onto the Kosciuszko Foundation web site and type in your zip code. Then send your Senators and Representatives a note expressing your support. You may also sign the Drop Visas for Poland on-line petition.

Art, Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

King Roger – this summer at the Santa Fe Opera

The Santa Fe Opera will present Karol Szymanowski’s opera King Roger this summer starring Mariusz Kwiecien.

King Roger, an opera in 3 acts, with music by Karol Szymanowski and the libretto by the composer and Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz premiered on June 19, 1926 in Warsaw, Poland.

The opera originated from Szymanowski’s enthusiasm for Mediterranean culture as a melting pot of different peoples and religions. The opera is set in 12th Century Sicily and relates to the enlightenment of Christian King Roger II by a young shepherd who represents pagan ideals.

The Kosciuszko Foundation invites you to meet Stephen Wadsworth and members of the King Roger creative team on Thursday, May 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Foundation, 15 East 65th Street, New York, NY. The presentation includes a panel discussion with Stephen Wadsworth, Director and Ann Hould-Ward, Costume Designer. There will also be a musical performance with Haeren Hong, Soprano and Jeanne-Minette Cilliers, Pianist. Contact the Foundation at 212-734-2130 for more information. Tickets are $25 per person or $20 for students and members.

Tickets to King Roger can be obtained through the Santa Fe Opera Box Office at 800-280-4654.

I had an opportunity to see King Roger at its third United States performance in Buffalo, New York. It is well worthwhile.

Art, Events, , ,

Fiction Workshop for Writers – Summer 2012

This summer, One Story will again be offering an intimate 6-day fiction workshop for writers. The week will include morning workshops, afternoon craft lectures, and evening panels with authors, agents, MFA faculty, and editors. The workshop will be held July 22 – 27, 2012, in the One Story office at The Old American Can Factory in Brooklyn, New York.

This unique experience, both practical and creative, is for writers looking to take the next step in their careers. Former Associate Editor Marie-Helene Bertino and Contributing Editor Will Allison will be returning as workshop leaders. Editor-in-Chief Hannah Tinti, as well as other established writers chosen for their ability to teach the craft of writing in engaging ways, will teach afternoon craft classes. Every night, there will be a wine and cheese reception and panel discussion with industry professionals. Last year’s lecturers and panelists included Myla Goldberg, Darin Strauss, Jenny Offill, Simon Van Booy, editors from Granta, Electric Literature, A Public Space, Gigantic, literary agents, and MFA directors.

Please join One Story at the Old American Can Factory on Thursday, May 17th for a free craft lecture from Hannah Tinti on the art and skill of creating character.The event will begin with a reception at 6:30 pm. This is a rare chance to sample a craft lecture like the ones offered during the workshop, and an opportunity to meet some of the faces behind One Story.

Applications for the One Story Workshop for Writers are being accepted now until May 31, 2012.

Media, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political, , ,

Congratulations to David Kocieniewski on his Pulitzer

David Kocieniewski, a business reporter for The New York Times has won the Pulitzer for Explanatory Journalism for his series on holes in the corporate income tax base. The Times explained: “David Kocieniewski devoted a year to digging out and exposing the obscure provisions that businesses and the wealthiest Americans exploit to drive their tax bills down to rock bottom. In a series called ‘But Nobody Pays That,’ Mr. Kocieniewski showed how federal tax law takes with one hand but gives – generously – with the other…. The Pulitzer jury said Mr. Kocieniewski’s work ‘penetrated a legal thicket to explain how the nation’s wealthiest citizens and corporations often exploited loopholes and avoided taxes.'”

Mr. Kocieniewski was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1985, and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1986.

Congratulations and Sto lat!

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New York Folklore Events and Opportunities

Mid-Atlantic Folklorists’ Retreat and New York Folk Arts Roundtable, May 23-25, 2012

“Sustaining Culture: A Regional Conversation,” will bring together folk and traditional arts practitioners, professionals and enthusiasts from the mid-Atlantic region and New England. The meeting includes professional development workshops, a conversation with local cultural activists, documentary film screening, and field trips, along with the opportunity to meet informally with your peers. Public sector and academic folklorists, community scholars, tradition bearers, students, and others interested in traditional culture are welcome to attend. Over 75 participants are expected, so don’t miss this opportunity to network!

A Call for Presentations — Music of the Erie Canal Symposium – November 2-3, 2012

The New York Folklore Society, in conjunction with the Erie Canal Museum, will be hosting a public symposium about the Music of the Erie Canal on November 2 and 3, 2012. We invite presentations, papers, and demonstrations on the Music of the Erie Canal. Possible themes include songs and the folk process; the creation of community; archives and collections; popular music of the Canal; and the Erie Canal as presented in music education, but we are open to other potential themes as well. Papers and presentations should be no more than 20 minutes in length; performances, demonstrations or lecture-demonstrations should be no more than 30 minutes in length. Poster presentations and other presentation formats will also be considered.

Community Cultural Documentation for Schenectady and the Mohawk Valley

A collaborative project of the New York Folklore Society and the Schoharie River Center, with support from the William Gundry Broughton Charitable Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts

The New York Folklore Society is pleased to announce that it will be launching an ongoing out-of-school documentation program for Schenectady-area teens. If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 and are interested in exploring your community’s history and culture, and would like to learn real-life skills of interviewing, video and audio documentation, this program is for you!

Please call the New York Folklore Society at (518) 346-7008 or send an E-mail to receive updates and further information.

Discovering Community Institute for Educators, A Program of the Vermont Folklife Center

The Discovering Community Summer Institute offers educators the opportunity to explore the power of field research as a means to facilitate student engagement with their home communities.

Over the course of an intensive, week-long program participants will work with cultural researchers, documentary media specialists, artists, and fellow educators in a learning environment that models an ethnographic approach to community enquiry. The Institute brings together place as the context, sustainability as the goal, and service-learning as the strategy.

Events, ,

Downtown Schenectady Merchant Mashup

The New York Folklore Society presents a very special event and you’re invited! Join the Society on Friday, April 20th at the Gallery of New York Folk Art, 129 Jay Street as our guest at Downtown Schenectady’s Merchant Mash-Up!

The Society is hosting Tara Kitchen, a new Schenectady Restaurant which features the cuisine of Morocco. Come join as the New York Folklore Society and Tara Kitchen “Mash Up” to offer you a night of the “taste of Morocco” with chicken kebabs and roasted eggplant and garlic dip. There will be entertainment from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. with music by classical Indian musicians Veena and Devesh Chandra.

Downtown Schenectady’s Merchant Mash-Up pairs a downtown retail establishment with an area restaurant to provide a “taste” of what Downtown Schenectady offers. Last year’s Mash-Up was a great success and this year’s will be just as delicious! Besides food tastings from world cuisines, merchants will be offering specials and entertainment throughout the evening. Come Celebrate!

The performance by Veena and Devesh Chandra is supported by funds from the Schenectady County Initiative Program. The New York Folklore Society is supported by you, our members, as well as grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the William Gundry Broughton Charitable Foundation.

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