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Catching up with the Cosmopolitan Review

The Cosmopolitan Review is published by the alumni of Poland in the Rockies, a biennial symposium in Polish studies held at Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Here is a video from last summer’s sessions:

Each Review is a wealth of information on everything from books to politics, history to poetry. The following are links to articles from the Summer 2010 and Fall 2010 editions I thought you might find interesting and enlightening:

Summer 2010, Vol. 2, No. 2

Poland

… And beyond

Art

Essays

Books & Docs

Poetry

From the Past Into the Present

Fall 2010 Vol. 2, No. 3

Poles & Poland

… And beyond

Books, language, poetry…

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , ,

Happy Name day Generał

October 28, is a Special Names Day Celebration
By Raymond Rolak

October 28, is Name Day for people named Thaddeus and thus, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a good reason to celebrate for sure. His ideals were lofty and he prized honor and liberty for all.

In Poland, Names Day celebrations are customary. Like a ‘Birthday Party’ in America, one would celebrate with friends and family on the feast day of the Saint one is named after. On October 28, because of his cherished celebrity and honored courage, everyone considers themselves ‘Tad.’ Tadeusz Kosciuszko, that is.

After his exploits in the American Revolution, Kosciuszko returned to Poland to help restore the Polish borders.

After Poland passed the May 3, Constitution in 1791, it was attacked by Russia, Prussia and Austria who wanted to stop these democratic reforms. King Stanislaw Augustus created the Virtuti Militari medal to honor the Polish soldiers, who had fought to defend the first democratic constitution in Europe. But the Poles lost the war, and the Russians demanded that these medals not be worn or displayed.

While the officers who received this honor took the medals off their chests, they sent the blue with black ribbons from these honors to their wives and girlfriends, who used them to tie their hair in ponytails.

On Oct 28, 1792, Prince Czartoryski held a Names Day party (imieniny) at his palace for the name’s day of Tadeusz. General Kosciuszko was celebrated. The women wore white dresses with black and blue sashes and tied their hair in ponytails with the medal ribbons. The women also made a garland crown of leaves from an oak tree planted 100 years earlier by King Sobieski, and placed it on Kosciuszko’s head to honor him.

General Kosciuszko was described by Thomas Jefferson as the “Purest son of Liberty”. When Kosciuszko died he left his money and property in America for the freeing and education of slaves. George Washington commented, “He served America with courage and distinction.”

Because October is Polish Heritage Month in America, remember to be Tad that day. Wear a blue and black ribbon. Remember parents, grand-parents and all those who came before us. Remember the sacrifices of veterans, teachers, mentors and most of all, remember the examples of Kosciuszko. “Happy Names Day- Tadeusz.”

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

Harvest Dinner at St. Valentine’s

From WWLP: Polish church holds ‘Harvest Dinner’

Harvest Dinner is a time honored occasion at St. Valentine’s Polish National Catholic Church in Northampton, Massachusetts.
 
Parishioners filled the Church’s social center to celebrate what’s become a tradition at Polish National Catholic Churches everywhere.
 
“It’s a celebration of all the wonderful gifts that God has given us through the growing seasons. And we always gather together as a church family,” said Father Senior Joseph Soltysiak.

And as part of that longstanding tradition, the St. Valentine’s spiritual leader told 22News, parishioners invite members of other churches to share the celebration.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

WBFO Covers Buffalo-Katyń Connection

WBFO radio aired a very well done story about the Katyn exhibit currently on display at the Downtown Library in Buffalo Connection to the Katyn Massacre. In the piece, reporter Michael Mroziak interviews a descendant of a victim of Katyn who had been born in Buffalo, New York before his family moved back to Poland.

About one year ago WBFO aired a great story about Polish WWII survivors living in Buffalo, a story that later received a prestigious award.

Note that the Katyn exhibit continues at the Downtown Library Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning. On Sunday, October 17th, the English-language version of Andrzej Wajda’s film “Katyn” will be screened at the library at 2 p.m. The library opens at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Arrive early to view the exhibit.

Art, Events, Xpost to PGF, , , , , ,

Graduate Student Conference — Latino Folk Culture and Expressive Traditions

The NY Folklore Society Graduate Student Conference, Latino Folk Culture and Expressive Traditions will take place Saturday, November 20th at New York University, 20 Cooper Square, 4th Floor, New York, NY.

For over 65 years, the New York Folklore Society (NYFS) has held an annual conference, typically with guest speakers, such as master artists and academic scholars, who have addressed a particular theme. This year, in collaboration with NYU’s Latino Studies and Latin American Studies Departments, NYFS seeks to encourage young scholars to continue their studies and become active contributors to the fields of folklore, ethnomusicology, anthropology and more.

Theme: Latino Folk Culture and Expressive Traditions

Preliminary Schedule (Subject to Change):

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Registration
9:30 – 10:00 New York Folklore Society Annual Meeting
10:00 – 11:45 a.m. Latino Music and the Negotiation of Identities
1:30 – 2:45 Representations and Depictions
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. A Statewide Community Conversation on Latino Folk Culture with Latino comunity leaders and artists from throughout New York State
4:30 – 5:30 Juan Flores, Director of Latino Studies, NYU “Afro-Latino Perspectives on Folklore”
6:00 Performance by Raquel Rivera y Los Ojos
6:45 Reception

For registration information, please E-mail or call the Society at 518-346-7008.

Registration:

$20.00 for Members of the New York Folklore Society
$25.00 for non-members
Free for Students

Perspective, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Debunking nativism and stereotyping

From The Bristol Press: Addressing Polish stereotypes

Author and scholar Danusha V. Goska came to CCSU to give her “Fiedorczyk” otherwise known as “Brute Polak” lecture, poking holes at stereotypes to a receptive audience Thursday night.

Particularly in the United States, stereotyping of different people is commonplace and unfortunately, socially acceptable, she said.

“In America, Poles have become the prototypical ethnicity associated with the working class. Prejudice against Poles is often commingled with contempt for working class people, and for manual labor itself.”

She discussed the toxic nature of stereotypes and pointed out that “If you think stereotypically, you will stereotype everyone, including yourself.”

Professor M.B. Biskupski, the S.A. Blejwas Chair of Polish American Studies introduced Goska, who teaches at William Paterson University. Biskupski has dedicated his academic career to “setting straight the misinformation about Poles,” according to CCSU media relations officer Janice Palmer.

Goska has written a book on the subject, titled “Bieganski,” which specifically addresses the issues associated with the interaction between people of different cultures, nationalities, ethnicities, and religions, but specifically Jewish, Christian and Muslim relations. This subject encompasses everything from stereotypes, racism, immigration, tolerance, and multiculturalism, the media’s treatment of the concept of ethnicity, the online spread of stereotypes and hate, and the Holocaust.

…

The process of finding someone willing to publish one’s writing is never an easy feat, but for Goska, it seemed impossible. She began showing publishers “Bieganski” in 2002 and continuously received the same reaction: initial praise, promise of publication, and then a final backing-out. Each of the rejections in this series always employed the same reasoning; although compassionately moving, her words were to be written by some famous scholar, not an unknown Polish-[Roman] Catholic writer.

Finally in 2009, her long search ended when she found a pair courageous enough to take on the controversial book and set it out into the world. Antony Polonsky, Albert Abramson Chair of Holocaust Studies at Brandeis University, suggested Academic Studies Press, run by Igor and Kira Nemirovsky.

Before her speech, Goska told reporters, “I knew that somewhere out there were my fellow Poles and Polish Americans, and I vowed that I would reach them someday with a book that would serve them, serve my ancestors, and serve my own family. In the upcoming lecture at CCSU, I will finally reach my audience.”

It would be interesting to see the author address the role of the PNCC and other early Polonia organizations, such as the PNU (not necessarily Roman Catholic at the time, but inclusive of R.C., PNCC, Protestant, and Jewish Polish immigrants), in both fighting nativism and in building the underpinnings of the success found by future generations.

Bishop Hodur, of course, stressed the idea of cohesive community, education, literacy, representation, Trade Unionism, participative democracy, and self-sustaining communities.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , ,

Screening of Modjeska- Woman Triumphant

Polish Movie Nite is happy to announce the San Francisco premiere of Modjeska- Woman Triumphant, presented by Maureen Mroczek Morris, Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 3pm at the Delancey Street Screening Room, 600 Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107

Modjeska- Woman Triumphant is presented by Maureen Mroczek Morris for the benefit of the Polish Club. Suggested donation: $5-10. Please call (415) 244-5252 to reserve your seat.

Modjeska- Woman Triumphant, 2009, 57 minutes

The stylized documentary Modjeska- Woman Triumphant is the culmination of six years of work by director Basia Myszynski, who has referred to the film as the “project of [her] life.” Probably most compelling is the narration by Beth Holmgren, professor at Duke University, who is currently working on a book about Modjeska.

Born in 1840 (arguably, but that’s a whole other story), Helena Modrzejewska was a famous Polish actress working in the second half of the 1800s. Although much literature and other materials exist about Modjeska (as she came to be known in the States), most notably about her life and career in Europe (Poland did not exist as a sovereign nation at that time), this is the first film to specifically focus on Modjeska and her life in Southern California, which she so loved.

In 2009, I attended a lecture by Marek Zebrowski (director of the Polish Music Center at USC), hosted by the Modjeska Art and Culture Club of Los Angeles, during which he spoke about Modjeska’s close friendship and intellectual exchange with composer Ignacy Paderewski. Zebrowski, who was also interviewed for Myszynski’s film, made the case that Modjeska left Europe for the US for largely political reasons. Interestingly, Woman Triumphant puts forth another thesis, namely that Modjeska also fled greatly for personal reasons. With an illegitimate son in tow (and her own legitimacy also frequently pointed out), she could reinvent herself in a new country without the stigma and gossipy journalism that publicly followed her every performance. No doubt, it was a combination of multiple pressures that pushed her out of the Russian Empire (although she had been born near Krakow under the more lenient Austrian rule, she had advanced quickly to play leads in Warsaw as well as in Russian cities). In a brief email exchange, Myszynski explained to me, “The film focuses on the most personal of reasons because [they] most affected her [and] me as a filmmaker.” Focusing on the personal in addition to the political reasons “would highlight the drama best in understanding why we make the choices we make – usually we are most affected by the personal,” she writes.

That said, Modjeska was not only running away from problems, but turning to new opportunities. She envisioned the formation of a utopian artist colony in the Wild West, where she and fellow ex-patriots would live off the land and at night could discuss art, literature, and music around a campfire. She would eventually call her property Arden, referring to the work of her beloved Shakespeare. After emigrating in 1876, she settled in 1888 in Orange County, in what is now known as Modjeska Canyon. She stayed at Arden until 1906, when she moved to Newport Beach where she would spend the last years of her life writing her memoirs…

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , , , ,

Annual procession of the Lord of the Miracles, Christ of Pachacamilla of Peru in Perth Amboy

The Fraternity of the Lord of the Miracles of Perth Amboy held its annual traditional Mass and procession of the Lord of the Miracles, Christ of Pachacamilla (Señor de los Milagros, Cristo de Pachacamilla) Sunday at Saints Cyril and Methodius National Catholic Church, 600 Jacques St in Perth Amboy, NJ.

The 10:15 a.m. Mass was followed by a five-hour procession around the church which began around 12:30 p.m. Our Lord of the Miracles of New York Choir performed. During the procession dancers of Peruvian culture of the Andes performed and there were tributes by Peruvian fraternities from New York and New Jersey.

Alejandro Beoutis, Peruvian general consul for New Jersey, was invited to attend along with Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz.

From the Courier Post: Peruvian procession hits Peth Amboy’s streets

PERTH AMBOY — A centuries-old Peruvian tradition took on its own form in the center of Perth Amboy’s streets Sunday afternoon, as a crowd massed outside the Saint Cyril Church to celebrate the Lord of the Miracles procession.

In Peru, October brings this same procession to the country’s capital city, Lima, where thousands take to the streets dressed in purple and clutching flower offerings during this holy day of atonement.

A mural of Jesus Christ remains the focal point for any of these processions, each parading a rendition of this 17th century painting that is said to have been the work of a Black slave.

Shortly after its creation, the painting survived a massive earthquake that nearly wiped out the entire city and drew in the faithful and followers alike.

“This is a tradition that we want to continue,” said Maria Moran, a spectator, who attends these processions throughout the state.

While Sunday’s crowd was minuscule compared to Peru’s procession; the dedication of parishioners was immeasurable, as they stood under trees and huddled in doorways suffering through the afternoon’s downpour.

“For me it’s everything – it’s my beliefs, it’s my background,” said Katherine Miraval, who took cover under a tent at the rear of the procession. “(Jesus) does perform miracles.”

A recent endeavor for St. Cyril, the procession has brought many Peruvians throughout the community closer to the church, said Father Mario Zochowski.

Prior to flooding the streets, many of the parade-goers attended a mass, where a few additional hymns and even more new faces extended services by about half-an-hour, he said.

“It’s something you have to see for yourself,” Zochowski said, watching approximately 25 men harmoniously shuffle their feet while balancing the mural’s altar gracefully on one shoulder.

Every few yards, the mural would be passed along to a new group of men, or a Fraternity of the Lord of the Miracles, whose members spent months preparing for their role in the procession, if only to get the footwork down to a science.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , ,

Immigrants Expand Productivity

From the Federal Reserve Bank, San Francisco: Fed Says Immigrants Expand Productivity; No Evidence of Harm to Native Opportunities

SAN FRANCISCO—Data show that immigrants expand the U.S. economy by stimulating investment and improving worker efficiency and income but not at U.S.-born workers’ expense, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Aug. 30.

Giovanni Peri, an associate professor at the University of California at Davis and a visiting scholar at the San Francisco bank, summarized his recent research to conclude that immigration has positive financial effects for U.S.-born workers.

Data show that, on net, “immigrants expand the U.S. economy’s productive capacity, stimulate investment, and promote specialization that in the long run boosts productivity. Consistent with previous research, there is no evidence that these effects take place at the expense of jobs for workers born in the United States,’’ Peri said.

He added that there “is no evidence that immigrants crowd out U.S.-born workers in either the short or long run. Data on U.S.-born worker employment imply small effects, with estimates never statistically different from zero. The impact on hours per worker is similar.’’

Immigration Associated With Income Rise

Over the long run, Peri wrote in the bank’s Economic Letter, per worker income rises 0.6 percent to 0.9 percent for each inflow of immigrants that equals 1 percent of employment.

“This implies that total immigration to the United States from 1990 to 2007 was associated with a 6.6 percent to 9.9 percent increase in real income per worker. That equals an increase of about $5,100 in the yearly income of the average U.S. worker in constant 2005 dollars,’’ Peri said.

Such a gain equals 20 percent to 25 percent of the total real increase in average yearly income per worker registered in the United States between 1990 and 2007, Peri said.

A third result is that in the short run, physical capital per unit of output is decreased by net immigration, but in the medium to long run, businesses expand their equipment and physical plant proportionally to their increase in production, Peri said.

Peri was traveling out of the country Aug. 30 and was unavailable for comment on his report.

Immigrants Tend to Take Different Occupations

Already well documented is that U.S.-born workers and immigrants tend to take different occupations, Peri said. Among less-educated workers, those born in the United States tend to have jobs in manufacturing or mining, while immigrants tend to have jobs in personal services and agriculture. Among more-educated workers, U.S.-born workers tend to work as managers, teachers, and nurses while immigrants tend to work as engineers, scientists, and doctors, he said.

Because those born in the United States have relatively better English language skills, they tend to specialize in communication tasks, Peri said. “Immigrants tend to specialize in other tasks, such as manual labor,’’ he wrote.

“The share of immigrants among the less educated is strongly correlated with the extent of U.S.-born worker specialization in communication tasks,’’ Peri wrote in the report titled “The Effect of Immigrants on U.S. Employment and Productivity.’’

“In states with a heavy concentration of less-educated immigrants, U.S.-born workers have migrated toward more communication-intensive occupations. Those jobs pay higher wages than manual jobs, so such a mechanism has stimulated the productivity of workers born in the United States and generated new employment opportunities,’’ Peri said.

This “typically pushes U.S.-born workers toward better-paying jobs, enhances the efficiency of production, and creates jobs,’’ Peri said. Task specialization, however, may involve adopting different techniques or managerial procedures and renovating or replacing capital equipment. “Hence, it takes some years to be fully realized,’’ he said.

As we celebrate this Labor Day, let us thank all workers, and do each justice, whatever their background, origin, or line of work. May our Lord bless all our labor.

I pray for the employed, that they may work as unto Thee and not unto men. I pray for the unemployed, that they may find work and be saved from despondency. Be Thou their strength in adversity. — an excerpt from A General Intercession from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.

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