The Krakow Post

NO. 14 WWW.KRAKOWPOST.COM AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 WEEKLY Krakowians among most content in Europe

The results of the recent Urban Audit Perception Survey for the European Commission have revealed that Krakow is second on a list of European cities with most content inhabitants. PHOTO/LUK Agency

THIS WEEK Justyna Krzywicka vey, which has collected over 250 indica- ry with Krakow residents displaying their Nonetheless, the general optimism for STAFF JOURNALIST tors on the quality of life in 258 EU cities disappointment placing the city in the 48th Krakow is strong. It is not surprising the and in Turkey. position, outranked by Vienna (14), Gron- city is so well received. Aside from the 8 Student workers It appears Krakow treats its residents Krakow scored higher contentment ingen (1) and Poland’s own Bialystok (2). mln tourists who visited Krakow in 2006, well. With its rapid economic expansion, ratings, above iconic cities such as Paris, In terms of green areas such as public parks the locals know themselves the city is an treated poorly abroad new developments, cultural events, histori- London, Prague and beautiful towns like and gardens, Krakow again does not score easy place to live in. cal riches, influx of foreign travelers, job And more often than not they Malaga. More than 75 percent of local Kra- too favorably at 36, behind Warsaw (30), See CITY on Page 11 opportunities and a welcoming atmosphere, kowians surveyed expressed high satisfac- Bialystok (8) and Malmo (1) in Sweden. are too scared to stand up to Krakow is appreciated by the people who tion with their city. their foreign employers 2 live in it. The survey took into account all capitals The results of the recent Urban Audit of EU countries, with the larger member Perception Survey for the European Com- states having up to 6 cities included. Polish Kazakh Poles return mission have revealed that Krakow is sec- cities included Gdansk, Bialystok, Warsaw ond on a list of European cities with most and Krakow. home triumphantly content inhabitants. Second only to Gron- Gdansk secured the 9th position in the ingen in The Netherlands, Krakow is full of contentment ratings. Istanbul, Naples and In 2006, the City of Krakow optimists who value the quality of life their Athens scored the least favorable ratings passed a resolution inviting four city offers them. with less than 25 percent of the inhabitants families from Kazakhstan and The survey conducted in November indicating contentment. 2006 was published recently with surpris- The more specific questions within the house of entertainment Georgia to resettle in Poland 4 ing results. The survey measured the lo- survey dealing with city pollution, public cal perceptions of quality of life in 75 EU transport, housing costs, health services the best entertainment in Krakow cities, including Croatia and Turkey. Five and unemployment, leave Krakow looking U.S. recognizes hundred randomly selected persons from a tad more bashful. piano bar each city were asked a series of 23 ques- The question “is it easy to find a job” live-music sessions Silesian language tions, dealing with the quality of life. Re- saw Krakow drop down to the 32nd posi- bring card – get prize The Silesian language has been spondents were selected from various parts tion, beaten by Warsaw (20), Bratislava (7) recognized by the U.S. Library of each European city. and Prague (1). However, it appears that HOTEL NOVOTEL, ul. Armii Krajowej 11 The Perception Survey was carried out Krakow is also foreigner friendly taking Tel.: +48 (0) 12 636-0807 of Congress as one of the world’s to compliment the data already collected the 5th spot when it comes to foreigner in- national languages 11 for the main Urban Audit Perception Sur- tegration. Air pollution in the city is a wor- 2 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007

R E G I O N A L N E W S

Czech lawmakers set sights on early presidential election Polish expat students treated as Czech lawmakers should vote for a new head of state at the start of February next year, the head of the lower house announced late last week after a meeting with current second-class employees abroad President Vaclav Klaus. “The vote should take place as early as possible so that the whole election period The problem stems from the fact that students are not aware of their can be used,” Lower House Speaker Milo- slav Vlcek said in an interview with Czech rights and are often too scared to stand up to their foreign employers public television. The precise election date has not been set, he added. substandard and derogatory. When the stu- Vlcek’s comments mean that both he and dents protest, the employers usually respond his upper house counterpart, Premysl Sobot- with a quick “Well you can pack your bags ka, are agreed that the presidential elections and leave or deal with it.” The students more should be held at the earliest opportunity. often than not choose the former. Under the constitution, members of both According to Dziennik Polski this is ex- houses must elect a new president during the actly what happened to five students from last 30 days of the incumbent’s term. That Krakow. They were sent to Greece to work would mean the earliest possible date for a in a hotel until October of this year. Upon vote would be February 8. arriving on the Greek island of Corfu, they Vlcek said that he wanted to avoid a re- quickly became aware they would be re- peat of the 2003 situation when the long sponsible for cleaning 30 hotel rooms in- drawn out process exhausted the whole stead of the 20 they were told in Poland. election period with the country without a Their hours were substantially longer than head of state for several days between for- their Greek work friends, and their wages mer president Vaclav Havel stepping down half of what the Greek chambermaids were and Klaus filling the post. earning. The students complained of always Klaus, a former right-wing premier known being assigned the worst job descriptions for his euroceptic views and crusade against such as cleaning all the windows in the hotel the widely held view that human actions are rooms as well as cleaning all the toilets. The responsible for global warming, has already most difficult element however was being said he will run for a second term. treated with scorn and disrespect by their His candidacy has been backed by the superiors and other employees. When their senior coalition government party, the right- complaints fell on deaf ears, they handed wing Civic Democrats. The main opposition in their notice of termination effective Sep- party, the Social Democrats, and other par- tember 15, giving the employer one month’s ties are still searching for a challenger, the notice instead of the required two weeks. In most frequently tipped anti-Klaus candidate response the employer demanded that un- being former Czechoslovakia first post- less they were willing to stick around until Communist Foreign Minister Jiri Dienstbier. October, they were to leave immediately. All A majority of the 200 lower house lawmak- terms of the contract were breached as the ers and 81 senators is required to elect the students left without having their two weeks president. (AFP) of notice implemented. The problem stems from the fact that stu- Ukrainian hacker nabbed in dents are not aware of their rights and are Turkey, may be extradited often too scared to stand up to their foreign employers. Any employer breaches should Turkish police have arrested a Ukrainian be reported officially within the country man wanted in the U.S. for allegedly steal- where they are working. Motions should be ing the details of thousands of bank accounts filed in the local courts. off the Internet, officials said late last week. In the above scenario, the Krakowian The suspect, identified as Maksym Y., students could have filed for a breach of is “one of the world’s important and well- their terms. Compensation could have been known computer pirates,” Feyzullah Arslan, Polish workers abroad: Upon arriving to other countries, many Poles find that the working conditions are not what they agreed sought for the two weeks of not being given the police chief of Antalya province where to, the wages are smaller than what they expected, and the treatment is substandard and derogatory. notice of termination by the employer who the man was arrested while on holiday, told forced them to leave immediately. This how- Anatolia news agency. Justyna Krzywicka stand up for their rights. in Krakow, offering students training pro- ever should have been done in Greece. The “We determined he came to Turkey as a STAFF JOURNALIST The scenario plays out like a textbook grams in Greek hotels that are later counted only source of damages sought in Poland result of joint intelligence work by the Turk- example. A group of students enthusiasti- towards their degrees. Students go through could have been done by filing a complaint ish and U.S. authorities.. The suspect, who Polish students undertaking practical cally jump at the chance of going abroad to the recruitment process, interviews in Eng- against the recruitment company. was holding a fake identity card, was cap- training abroad are often taken advantage of carry out paid vocational training in the hos- lish and eventually sign contracts with the As with migrant workers, students are in- tured in Kemer five days after his arrival,” and are treated as second-class employees. pitality industry. Recruitment agencies like terms and wages stipulated. Upon arrival to creasingly becoming aware of the problem he said. Dziennik Polski reports how Polish students The Tree in Warsaw sign agreements with Greece, the working conditions are not what of being taken advantage of. If more com- Maksym Y. is suspected of having broken sent abroad to places such as Greece for hospitality schools such as the Wyzsza Sz- they agreed to, the wages are smaller than plaints are officially filed, the employers into thousands of bank accounts around the their vocational training are too scared to kola Zawodowa (Tertiary Training School) what they expected, and the treatment is will be forced to abide by the regulations. world and sold their information to interna- tional gangs of bank swindlers. Officials at the Antalya prosecutor’s of- fice said the suspect may be handed over to the U.S., adding that Turkey has a 60-day period to make a decision under the interna- tional arrest warrant which led to the man’s detention, Anatolia reported. Maksym Y. was arrested along with an Israeli friend at a crowded night club in the resort of Kemer, where some of Turkey’s most luxurious hotels and holiday villages are located. The Israeli was later released without a charge and allowed to go home. Arslan denied a newspaper report that the Ukrainian was also wanted for having sold to Al-Qaeda secret information about U.S. air bases he stole from the Pentagon. (AFP) Equality office seeks probe of domestic abuse on YouTube Lithuanian prosecutors should probe foot- age of domestic violence in the Baltic coun- try which was posted on Internet site You- Tube, the equal opportunities watchdog said late last week. The office said it received a letter from the public complaining about the video material which had been posted on the site, and that staff had been “shocked” when they watched it themselves. “The video shows a man beating a wom- an. The police should immediately start an investigation,” the equal opportunities of- fice said. The office noted that it lacked the power to file a complaint itself because Lith- uania’s equal opportunities legislation does not cover family relations and other areas of private life. (AFP) AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 POLAND The Krakow Post 3 Euro 2012: Qualified workers in demand for construction sector

Alicja Natkaniec – and the expansion or renovation of air- STAFF JOURNALIST ports, rail lines and roads. The more people who work, the more LUK Agency LUK The Economic Ministry believes prepa- tax revenue the government gets, of course rations for the European soccer champion- – and thus the larger the budget for govern- ships will generate at least 100,000 jobs in ment programs. So the government as well Poland. as business stands to be a big winner from If the country is lucky, the total could be Euro 2012. much higher. Dziennik indicates the number The championships are expected to at- of jobs that the Euro 2012 effort generates tract as many as 500,000 fans to Poland. may reach 370,000 jobs by the end of 2012, To ensure that they have a good experi- referring to a survey ence, the country needs made by Confederation to embark on a major of Polish Employers. In April the European construction effort im- When Poland first got Soccer Federation chose mediately. A labor short- the Euro 2012 games, Poland and Ukraine to age will complicate that the country’s leaders effort. thought most of the new co-host the champion- Tens of thousands of jobs would go to Poles. ships – the first time it has Poles with construction They have since reas- gone to Eastern European skills emigrated to Great sessed that opinion, es- countries. Britain, Ireland and other pecially when it comes European countries after to construction jobs. A Poland joined the EU labor shortage in that sector means foreign in 2004. Estimates are that Poland needs workers as well as Poles will have to be about 200,000 construction workers right hired. now. It will need more as the pace of build- In April the European Soccer Federation ing picks up. chose Poland and Ukraine to co-host the To meet those numbers, the country will championships – the first time it has gone have to recruit many workers from abroad, to Eastern European countries. not only from neighboring countries like The tournament is likely to be a major Ukraine, but also from Asia, especially boost to the already fast-growing econo- China. This will require swift changes in mies of Poland and Ukraine. Poland’s employment law. The Economic Ministry says interna- Poland will also need to spend money to tional investors will be pouring about 3 educate more people in hotel management, bln euro a year into stadium renovations, tourism, transportation and construction the building of hotels and other accommo- if it wants to provide good service to the dations – especially medium-priced ones throng of soccer fans expected. Polish coalition could survive without Kaczynski: far-right leader claims

agence france-presse Poland prepares for the Euro 2012 football tournament. The more people who work, the more tax revenue the government gets, of course – and thus Poland’s floundering government could the larger the budget for government programs. So the government as well as business stands to be a big winner from Euro 2012. be kept afloat provided conservative Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski is out of the picture, the leader of a far-right junior co- gestion was unrealistic. The coalition also relies on around a doz- alition party said early this week. Giertych’s comments echoed those of en independent conservatives and has also “The situation is very difficult,” Roman Andrzej Lepper, who was sacked last month been able to take advantage of divisions in Giertych, deputy premier and boss of the by Kaczynki after corruption allegations the liberal and left-wing opposition. JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY Polish for Foreigners ultra-Catholic League of Polish Families and whose populist Samoobrona (Self-De- Lepper has warned that Samoobrona’s (LPR), said in a radio interview. fense) party on Sunday decided to pull out MPs will not back the government after New Courses, Low Prices!!! “As it stands, Prime Minister Kaczynski of the three-way Warsaw coalition. parliament resumes on August 22. is in no position to rebuild a parliamentary On Monday, Lepper said Kaczynski But analysts suggest PiS may try to The biggest and oldest School of Polish Language and Culture invites you to its majority. We have a minority government,” was “finished” and accused him of “mind tempt them to switch sides. latest program: Giertych said. games and blackmail,” but also suggested The LPR worked to glue the coalition “Autumn with the Polish Language “In such a situation, we need to look for that Samoobrona might reconsider its deci- back together after a bust up last Septem- by the Wawel Castle in Krakow” new solutions,” he added. “Jaroslaw Kac- sion to leave the government if the premier ber, when Kaczynski fired Lepper after zynski has fallen out with everyone, from quit. Kaczynski’s Law and Justice (PiS) policy differences but had to take him back - Two-week Polish-language courses his coalition allies to the opposition. Some- narrowly won Poland’s parliamentary elec- three weeks later to stave off risky snap (50 hours of instruction) one needs to tell him the hard truth.” tions in 2005, and formed a coalition with elections. - Two sessions (first and second half of No immediate reaction was available the LPR and Samoobrona in May 2006 to The Kaczynski twins have warned that September) - Different levels of proficiency from Kaczynski, who is currently on holi- shore up its minority government. early elections may be the only way to deal - Small groups day on the Baltic coast with his identical PiS has just 150 seats in Poland’s 460- with the latest infighting, but the coalition - Experienced teachers twin, President Lech Kaczynski. member parliament and needs the votes of parties are trailing the opposition in opin- - Latest teaching methods But Sports Minister Elzbieta Jakubiak, a Samoobrona’s 44 lawmakers and the 29 ion polls. The next election is not formally - University diploma at the end of the course long-standing Kaczynski ally, said the sug- LPR members to stay in office. due until 2009. Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Information: www.uj.edu.pl/SL [email protected] Poland appeals EU court’s Tel.: +48 (0) 12 421 36 95 ruling on gay pride ban agence france-presse of assembly. Several thousand people went ahead and marched, and the organizers also Poland has lodged an appeal against its filed a complaint before the European court. condemnation by the European Court of Kaczynski, a conservative Catholic, had Human Rights for a 2005 ban on a gay pride likewise forbidden the parade in 2004. Kac- march in Warsaw, an official said late last zynski was sworn in as president in Decem- week. Foreign Ministry spokesman Robert ber 2005. The 2006 and 2007 gay pride pa- Szaniawski told AFP that Warsaw had decid- rades went ahead, despite repeated calls for a ed to contest the May 3 verdict by the Stras- ban from conservatives and far-right Catho- bourg-based tribunal and had acted in time lic groups. Homosexual campaigners began for Friday’s appeal deadline. Warsaw’s then gay pride marches in 2001. The homosexual mayor, Lech Kaczynski – who today is pres- community in Poland – where more than 90 ident of Poland – banned the parade in 2005, percent of the 38.2-mln-strong population is arguing that “spreading homosexual propa- Catholic – has in the past complained of liv- ganda” fell outside rules protecting freedom ing in a “climate of fear.” 4 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 R E G I O N A L N E W S Secret police Ukraine’s Aerosvit signs Kazakh repats: Back home with hope contract for 14 Boeing jets gan filing documents for repatriation in documents 1997 through the help of the Polonia House Ukrainian airline Aerosvit late last week located in Kazakhstan and in Krakow. Un- signed a contract to buy up to 14 Boeing like the German government who offered shed light on 737 jets in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, its citizens in Kazakhstan speedy returns Aerosvit said. to their fatherland, Poland was reluctant 1944 Warsaw The contract “foresees the purchase in claiming lack of fund availability. “Later 2011-2012 of seven Boeing 737-800 jets, though when repatriation to Poland did which according to the manufacturer’s become a possibility, we all had extreme uprising catalogue cost $523 mln, as well as reserve problems on the Kazakhstan’s side. There rights to purchase seven more planes from were a lot of document falsifications going 2008 to 2015,” the company said in a re- on. No papers were being delivered to the cent statement. Polish authorities. It was a nightmare that Boeing will also provide technical and lasted five years for us,” Julia said. marketing support for the new planes and Irina and her sister Maria Curie for an additional 11 Boeing 737s that Aero- Sklodowska both completed their studies svit plans to lease from 2008 to 2011. in Poland through scholarships received The actual price of the contract will not from the Polonia House. be made public, the statement said. “I was granted 700 zloty per month to The deal “will allow the airline to real- study economics at the University of Gdan- ize its long-term development strategy and sk, whilst Maria studied Polish at the Marie raise its competitiveness to prepare for the Curie Sklodowksa University in Lublin.” coming liberalization of Ukrainian air- Because the two were in Poland, they were space,” Aerosvit CEO Aron Maiberg was able to help their family file the appropri- quoted as saying. (AFP) ate documents. “We had no chance of be- Communist Party in Belarus ing repatriated if we’d just worked with the Kazakh authorities,” added Irina. Piotr suspended for six months Zborowski from the Polonia House in Kra- The top court in Belarus suspended late kow informed them that although they “no Soldiers fighting in the Warsaw Uprising. last week the activity of the country’s Com- longer financially assist the repatriates due munist Party for a period of six months for to funding cuts (which left the task to the AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE registration violations deemed illegal by the councils), we continue to support Kazakh judge. The Communists had contravened a students with scholarships. Scholarships Russian and Polish authorities late last recently adopted law by registering certain are given on a merit basis per semester with week published a hefty volume of docu- local cells and generally had poorly orga- the option of extending their stay.” ments, many of them never declassified be- nized the registration of members, ruled With the formalities sorted out, the fore, which shed new light on the ill-fated Judge Anna Sokolovskaya. Soassep family had nothing but praise for 1944 Warsaw uprising against the Nazis. In its report, the Supreme Court forbade Krakow’s Municipal Council staff. The 1,400-page tome released by Rus- the Communist Party from carrying out any “We have been treated so well, so ef- sia’s FSB security service, the Polish interior activity except for trying to correct its regis- ficiently, with such respect,” smiled Irina. ministry and both countries’ historical ser- tration faults. Party leader Sergei Kalyakin “They really are looking after us well.” The vices, includes documents which have been condemned the decision as “political” and Council’s clerk, from the department of kept under wraps in Moscow and Warsaw’s remained defiant. Community Affairs, has been assigned the archives since World War II. “In principle it will not reduce the activ- role of mentor and caretaker. He will be help- “In large part these are unprecedented ity of party members who are using all their The Soassep family. ing the family to adjust, to look for a perma- documents,” particularly interrogation re- power to try and put Belarus back on the nent place of residency, assist in finding jobs cords from the Soviet secret police, historian path to democratization,” he said. Justyna Krzywicka the steppes of Central Asia. and generally support them in the changes Jerzy Bednarek, of the National Remem- “Even if our party is banned, people will STAFF JOURNALIST The sparse land of Kazakh nomadic tribes they are facing. “I really want to stress how brance Institute (IPN), the body in charge of take an active part in a general democratic was transformed into a place of deportation thankful we are to the Council for all that Poland’s archives, told AFP. movement” in Belarus, he added. It was 02:00, Tuesday, July 24. The five- by Stalin. Soviet Russia’s second Siberia. they have done for us!” Irena said. The City Poland is currently commemorating the Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled member Soassep family waited on the plat- Anticipating war, Stalin needed the assur- Municipal Council maintains close contact two-month uprising launched on August Belarus since 1994 and is dubbed “Europe’s form to board the train. They were leaving ance of loyalty, hence deported anyone with the repatriates in Krakow. 1, 1944 by the Polish Home Army (AK) last dictator” in some Western capitals, al- their home town of Kokshetau in northern standing in his way. The Polish farmers prac- “We regularly see how the families are do- against the occupying Nazis. lows no criticism in the state-controlled me- Kazakhstan, making a five-day journey to ticing their agriculture for hundreds of years ing, how they are adjusting to life in Poland. Almost 18,000 Polish resistance members dia and has imposed severe restrictions on Poland, the land of their grandfathers. The were a valuable source of labor required for Last year we had a combined Christmas died as well as some 20,000 Nazi troops, and opposition rallies. family, carrying only the most sentimental together. The Council wants their families around 180,000 civilians were massacred by The Belarusian leader said he wanted to of possessions and basic necessities, were to feel that they have support,” says Pawel the Nazis or killed in the crossfire. tighten the law regarding what was viewed embarking on a new life adventure. They On October 11, 2006, the Stachowicz from the Council’s welfare de- After the ceasefire on October 2, War- on the Internet, adding that he intended to arrived in the middle of the night to Astana, City of Krakow passed a partment. “Out of all families that have re- saw’s remaining 500,000 civilians were introduce a law defining the status of elec- the country’s capital, and eventually reached patriated to Krakow all are doing well. All expelled and the city was methodically de- tronic media in the former Soviet state. Krakow the following Saturday. resolution inviting four have found employment. The only obstacle stroyed by the Germans. “We must put an end to this anarchy on On October 11, 2006, the City of Krakow families from Kazakh- they face is the language barrier. Once that The revolt was directed militarily against the Internet,” he said during a meeting with passed a resolution inviting four families is overcome things tend to fall into place for the Germans, but the political goal of Po- journalists. from Kazakhstan and Georgia to be reset- stan and Georgia to be them,” he said. Krakow continues to run its land’s non-Communist underground gov- “There are international rules concerning tled back in Poland. With an official invite resettled back in Poland. repatriation progam with 4 to 5 families in- ernment was to free Warsaw before the ar- the Internet, there is the banning of child to repatriate from Mayor of Krakow Jacek vited from Kazakhstan each year. rival of Soviet troops who were on the city’s pornography, of insults, of defamation. Majchrowski, the Soassep family can finally So what does the future hold for the edge. The AK had expected to take over These are completely civilized norms, ac- reclaim their Polish identity. the cultivation of the Kazakh steppes. Soassep family? “I want to find a job quick- within days but was only able to seize pock- cepted in several countries, we must protect “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I “They threw our grandparents hand- ly,” says Irena. “I was a goods inspector back ets of Warsaw and then faced a massive Na- ourselves in the normal way,” he said. am to be here” smiled Irena Soassep, when cuffed into the train. They were taken to a home, maybe I could do something similar, zis counter-attack. The new work includes “We cannot allow this great technical she opened the door to her hotel room to let land that was poverty stricken, where there if my language improves,” she smiled. material from Nazi intelligence, whose War- progress to become a garbage can of infor- me in. Her eyes were shining and her bright was no food. He and grandma could take For now, the Soassep family is in a pe- saw holdings fell into Polish hands after the mation,” he added. smile affected the entire place. The family sat nothing with them. When they arrived they riod of adjustment and is just happy to be war, and which helps explain why the AK Between 2003 and 2006 the number of me down offering tea and coffee, claiming: were placed in a camp and were forbidden to in Krakow. failed to catch out the Germans. Internet users in Belarus doubled from 1.3 to “You first drink, then we talk.” The room leave,” Julia explained. With years of forced “I love all the bustling, the architec- “Documents from Polish informers run 2.6 mln, according to Lukashenko. (AFP) was tiny yet space did not seem to be an ob- labor, communities started to form and the ture, all the greenery,” Irena enthuses, “the by the Nazis inside the resistance demon- stacle. The family’s possessions were neatly Sidorski’s had little Irena. “There was no way violinists on Rynek Glowny, all the culture strate the degree of penetration of the move- Slovakia to probe army arranged in various corners of the room and a we could keep our Polish identity. We were everywhere.” When asked if she missed Ka- ment by the Germans,” said Marcin Majew- smuggling from Kosovo general vibe of contentment was evident. forbidden from speaking Polish, our way of zakhstan, she nodded “of course, it was my ski, one of the collection’s editors. The Soassep family includes Irena life was monitored, there was no chance in home for all my life. I have left wonderful The Germans “didn’t take the likelihood Slovakia’s defense minister late last (maiden name Sidorska) and her husband practicing our faith,” recalled Irena. memories there. It was a good place to live, of a revolt seriously,” but once it broke out week launched a far-reaching investigation Antol, their 27-year-old daughter Irina and “But my parents revolted privately. They it wasn’t always bad. I have happy memories “their detailed knowledge of the resistance into allegations that troops returning from their adopted daughter Maria Sidorska (Ire- even had a book written in Polish from 1924 of it. I raised my family there. But my heart set up enabled them to carry out pinpoint a NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo na’s niece). There is also little Michelinka, that was read to us in secret. They spoke always belonged to Poland, to the land of my bombing which caused huge losses.” smuggled back large amounts of alcohol a four and a half month old baby, Irina’s to us secretly in the mother tongue behind parents. My father has made it back here. The collection also examines the role of and cigarettes. little girl. Only their son didn’t make the closed doors and we prayed in Polish. Qui- He is content. I just wish my mother lived the Waffen-SS “Russian National Liberation “This case has cast a bad light on soldiers trip with them. He lives in Moscow, mar- etly we were even able to carry out some to see us all here together after all these long Army” (RONA) brigade, mostly made up of serving in all foreign missions as well as ried to a Russian woman. of the Polish traditions during Easter and decades,” Irena trailed off silently, wiping a Soviet troops who had sided with the Nazis those who conscientiously fulfill their duties Present in the room were also Julia Sidor- Christmas,” she added. tear. “I have everything I need here now. My after deserting or being taken prisoner. at home,” Frantisek Kasicky said at a review ska and her father, Irena’s family who were Stalin died and things looked up for the family is with me. That is all that matters.” The RONA gained a reputation for butch- of troops in the eastern town of Trebisov. repatriated in 2002. They are there helping exiles. Sidorski retained his Polish nation- Since 1999, some 19 Kazakh families ering civilians, but the reality seems some- He said a special commission would in- the Soassep family out, offering them mor- ality in his papers and did not change his have repatriated to Krakow on a formal what different, according to interrogation vestigate the smuggling allegations and pos- al support in the extreme changes they are surname like many of the exiled Poles. The invitation by the city’s mayor. Malgozata records, said Majewski. sible top brass failings. “I want to know who about to face. The men quickly left the room, 60s and 70s were decades of more tolerance. Wozniak from the Municipal Council has “Their role in the bestial repression of the neglected his duties and what consequences so the women could chat freely. Ukrainians, Germans, Poles felt more at informed that “each family is given a flat civilians and the resistance was, finally, not should be drawn,” Kasicky added. The Sidorski exile began in 1936, part of ease with their identity and their language. to live in, some furniture and equipment as big as was thought,” he said. Hungarian customs officers said they the first wave of Stalin’s deportations. Jan “But now the situation has changed again,” required for the home, assistance in get- “The Nazis tried to exaggerate the found 450 liters (around 117 gallons) of al- Sidorski and his wife, Irena’s parents, were Irena said in her broken yet admirable Pol- ting a job as well as social security benefits RONA’s role and shift part of the blame onto cohol and 320 boxes of cigarettes in a truck awaken in the middle of the night, hand- ish. “There is much discrimination on the if they are applicable.” Help is also given it,” he added. bringing back Slovak peacekeepers from the cuffed and told they were being shipped out. streets of Kazakhstan today. Only Russian with sorting out their official papers such as The volume, which is the third in a series Serbian province of Kosovo at the border on Their little village Siepietowka on the Polish- is spoken, people are again ashamed,” Irena marriage certificates, passports, etc. launched in 2000, does not examine contro- Wednesday. Ukrainian border, with its prosperous farms explained of the increasingly homogenized “These families are facing a tough new versies over the Soviet role in 1944. The minister has already called off a cer- was being emptied out on Stalin’s orders. Kazakhstan. “Now I am here and I cannot start and the city wants to do what it can Although the Red Army sent some Com- emony due to award medals to the returned Thousands of Ukrainians, Poles, Chechens, get enough of hearing the Polish language to help them out,” Wozniak said. “By giv- munist-led Polish units to help, most Soviet Kosovo contingent. First results of the Germans and Koreans met the same fate. being spoken all around me,” she beamed. ing them municipally owned flats to live in, troops watched from across the Vistula smuggling investigation should be known The exiles were being sent to Kazakhstan, to The Sidorski and Soassep families be- they have an easier beginning.” River. in about 10 days, Kasicky said. (AFP) AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 POLAND The Krakow Post 5 Headhunters from British universities Poland bans English are looking for students in Poland sandwiches amid foot and mouth fears

Ruptured oral vesicle in a cow with FMD.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE to act because many of the hundreds of thousands of Polish citizens who work Polish authorities said early this week in Britain regularly fly between the two they had banned travelers from England countries. from bringing in sandwiches and other “Many Poles work in Britain, particu- fresh food following the foot and mouth larly in farming. Do we know which farm Trinity College. outbreak. they got their food from?” he said. Passengers on flights from England British authorities confirmed foot and are now required to throw sandwiches mouth among cattle at a farm in southern Alicja Natkaniec After the information sessions in Poland, Some universities are able to give a stu- and other unwrapped England, followed by STAFF JOURNALIST more than 100 Poles have already decided dent a grant of up to 1,000 pounds during snacks into special a second outbreak at a to study in Aberystwyth and the same num- the first year. containers, Polish vet- An EU-wide ban has been nearby holding. First they came to Warsaw, Lodz and And some universities offer scholar- erinary service spokes- The outbreak has Zielona Gora. Now they have hit Krakow. ships. For example, one gives a 2,000- slapped on exports of man Janusz Zwiazek sparked fears of a re- British recruiters are making pitches for The rub for most Polish pound grant to the student who scores high- cows, sheep and pigs from told AFP. peat of the catastrophic young Poles to attend their universities, the students is that it costs a lot est on the national examination that Poland “It is a precaution- Britain, while countries as 2001 outbreak which newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza reported. to study in Britain – and administers to high school seniors. ary move which was far away as Australia have set the British econ- The rub for most Polish students is that most of the universities British labor laws allow students who taken by Poland on taken measures to prevent omy back by about it costs a lot to study in Britain – and most offer limited financial help. have finished their first year of university Saturday while await- 8 bln pounds ($16.3 of the universities offer limited financial to take jobs, which will help them pay for the disease spreading. So the recruiters are looking ing EU measures,” he bln/11 bln euro). help. their next years of study. mostly for students from said. The restrictions An EU-wide ban So the recruiters are looking mostly for Every year more Polish students study well-to-do families. do not apply to passengers on flights from has been slapped on exports of cows, students from well-to-do families. abroad. The overall figure right now is Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. sheep and pigs from Britain, while coun- The recruiters have already held infor- about 26,000. Foot and mouth disease does not pose tries as far away as Australia have taken mation sessions about their institutions in ber in Derby. Polish employers value diplomas from a risk to humans, and cooked meat from measures to prevent the disease spread- Krakow. Gazeta Wyborcza noted that in the first overseas universities. Perhaps more impor- affected countries is not usually banned. ing. Zwiazek said that Poland’s veterinary The University of Wales in Aberystwyth year a student should be ready to spend tant, they open doors to employment in EU Generally the biggest fear is that sick service had analyzed recent imports from conducted the first session, on August 1. about 1,800 pounds for tuition plus the cost countries. livestock will be imported into an unaf- Britain to see if there could be a risk. The University of Derby held sessions Au- of living in Britain for a year. British university recruiters are also fected country. “There were no imports from the af- gust 6 and 7. An outstanding student might be able to looking for students in Lithuania, Latvia Zwiazek noted that Warsaw decided fected region,” he said. The recruiting efforts have worked. get a scholarship after that. and a number of Asian countries. Polish champ wins WTA Orthodox Jews break into former LUK Agency LUK Nazi death camp AGENCJA NIERUCHOMOŚCI www.property-krakow.com AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

A group of Orthodox Jews from Israel broke early this week into the former Nazi extermination camp of Majdanek in eastern Poland, police said. Security guards at the camp, now a museum, called the manage- ment and the police when the 33 Orthodox Jews penetrated the camp afternoon after the end of visiting hours. “They forced open two gates that lead to the army barracks of the former Nazi camp,” a police spokeswoman at the nearby town of NOCLEGI W APARTAMENTACH Lublin, Anna Smazak, told AFP. www.aaakrakow.com She said that the matter had been sorted out amicably after contact was established Agnieszka Radwanska recently became the first singles Polish tennis player to win the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in Stockholm. with the Israeli embassy in Warsaw. “The head of the group, a man of 28, said [email protected] the krakow post minutes into the second set, the final was ciation as “the one to watch.” And the place that all the damage would be reimbursed,” won in a whitewash in the last game. to do that will be at the New Haven tour in the police spokeswoman added. Poland has been unable to produce a ten- This victory places Radwanska 33rd in the U.S., followed by the Grand Slam U.S. The group’s motive for trying to gain nis champ in more than the two decades. the Women’s Tennis Association ranking, Open commencing with the first round on access to Majdanek was not immediately This is about to change. On Sunday, Ag- an impressive climb from being outside the August 27. clear. At Majdanek death camp, set up by nieszka Radwanska became the first singles Top 300 ranking when she entered the pro- The last singles Polish tennis player of the Nazis near the eastern Polish city of Polish tennis player to win the Sony Eric- fessional circuit in 2006. noteworthy status was Wojciech Fibak. He Lublin, 360,000 people died between 1941 sson WTA Tour in Stockholm. The singles Radwanska told WTA she is very happy attained a No. 7 ranking in 1980, reaching and 1944, either in the gas chamber or at the player championed over Russia’s Vera Du- with winning such a tournament, claiming, the quarter finals in the French Open, the hands of firing squads. shevina in the final winning 6-1 6-1, leaving “It is a big step going higher in the rankings. U.S. Open and in Wimbledon. Poland hopes Among the camp’s victims were 200,000 with a tidy sum of $145,000 in prize money. Every Top 100 player has good strokes, you that Radwanska can improve on that statistic Jews, 120,000 non-Jewish Poles and Soviet The Tier IV event has earned Radwanska really have to have something special in or- and improve the general appreciation of ten- prisoners of war. Nazi Germany killed 6 mln the Nordea Nordic Light Open title. der to compete at this level.” nis in Poland. If she does, maybe the country of Europe’s 11 mln Jews in the Holocaust, The opening set was quickly over in 26 Earning a Tour’s Newcomer of the Year will be lucky enough to catch some tennis half of them from Poland, which was home minutes with Radwanska losing only seven CALL IN AND SEE US! Award in Miami earlier this year, Radwan- footage of the Grand Slam tournaments on to Europe’s biggest Jewish Community be- ul. Napoleona Cybulskiego 2 points in the first five games. With just 31 ska has been quickly dubbed by the Asso- public television. fore the war. 6 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 Remarkable growth in aviation sector Alicja Natkaniec Gdansk-Rebiechow – 45 percent increase STAFF JOURNALIST (773,000 passengers). Small airports also received a remarkable increase: Rzeszow- LUK Agency LUK The Civil Aviation Office recently an- Jasionka, Szczecin-Goleniow, Bydgosz- nounced that the aviation sector in Poland is Szwederowo, Zielona Gora-Babimost and marked by constant and remarkable growth. Lodz-Lubinek. The favorite is Lodz-Lubinek Polish airports have already served 8.586 with a 63 percent increase. These airports mln international and domestic passengers have started to fulfill their great potential and this year, increasing by about 27 percent are profiting from the surge in traffic. from the same time period in 2006. Poland continues to show a steady year During the first months of 2007 half of on year growth. Increases in tourism, busi- Poland’s passengers used Warszawa-Okecie ness traffic, fundamental increases in Polish Airport (4.197 mln air travelers). The rest earnings and, above all, the establishment were served by regional airports, indicating of open skies all indicate that the trend will acceleration in their development. During continue. The last few years have shown that the same period in 2006, regional airports development in the Polish aviation sector served 27.8 percent of all international and has already surpassed the European aver- domestic passengers; in 2007 it’s already age, currently being among the highest in the been 51.2 percent. The number of passen- world. In contrast, European air-traffic has gers served by regional airports in the last 3 increased by only 4.9 percent during the first years has already doubled. part of 2007, and cumulative world air-traf- Second place, after Warszawa-Okecie, fic by 6.9 percent. is occupied by principal regional Krakow- The surge has drawn attention to serious Balice Airport. It has set a new record with problems that the Polish aviation sector has 1.408 mln passengers, resulting in a 43 per- to deal with. Several improvements should cent growth in comparison with the analo- be implemented to sustain this tremendous gous period last year. Katowice-Pyrzowice growth. The airports need investment for the Airport – Krakow’s rival during the last few modernization of infrastructure, especially years – served 794,000 passengers. Fore- for enlarging terminals and raising their ca- casters predicted that by the end of this year pacity. At Krakow-Balice airport, passengers about 3 mln passengers would travel through learn to be patient waiting in the long lines. Krakow-Balice, though according to the Warsaw is still waiting for its second ter- published data, this number will probably be minal, which should have been open a few even higher. The highest air-traffic growth months ago. It seems development of Polish was noted in Wroclaw-Strachowice – 75 airports is becoming essential to regional The Civil Aviation Office announced that the aviation sector in Poland is marked by constant growth. percent increase (593,000 passengers) and economies. U.S. Sacred Ground Foundation wants to build sanctuary in Auschwitz

HOTEL COPERNICUS Tel.: +48 (0) 12 424-3400 Hotel Copernicus Fax: +48 (0) 12 424-3405 ul. Kanonicza 16 Email: [email protected] 31-002 Krakow, Web site: www.hotel.com.pl Poland Model of the possible monument to be erected at Auschwitz. AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 7 Municipal Council launches campaign to stop youth from begging, busking, break dancing Justyna Krzywicka Father Augustynski told The Krakow Post. STAFF JOURNALIST “We are concerned about the children who do poor ‘break dancing’ performances in Is there a big problem with young kids front of tourists sitting and eating their LUK Agency LUK begging or busking for money in Krakow? meals, who then enter the beer gardens and According to the Municipal Council there is. collect money from the onlookers claiming In the sweltering heat of the Polish summer, they need the cash for books or the like.” Krakow is not only swarmed with tourists It is estimated there are over 100 kids in but with “street kids” try- Krakow from the ages of ing to make a quick buck 8 to 14 busking or asking out of the peak season. Is there a big problem for money. City officials view this as with young kids beg- From impromptu break a fundamental problem ging or busking for dancing to playing classi- that is being propagated by cal instruments, they are the adults themselves who money in Krakow? out earning a good penny. are willingly handing out According to the “I ask parents the most money to such children, in Municipal Council vital question of all: would turn demoralizing them. you like your 8-year-old to For this reason, the there is. In the swelter- be out on the streets mak- Municipal Council has ing heat of the Polish ing hundreds of zloty per commenced a campaign summer, Krakow is day? The answer is always to discourage such chil- ‘no,’” Father Augustynski dren as well as the adults not only swarmed underlines. “It is for this who clap along to their with tourists, but with reason that we must ad- performances. The “By “street kids” trying to here to the standards of the Giving Them Money You civilized world, adhere to Take Away Their Child- make a quick buck out the standards of the Euro- hood” campaign lead by of the peak season. pean community – as citi- the youth officer Father zens we must encourage Andrzej Augustynski for non-governmental social the city, wants to see these children back in organizations to help in such community their playgrounds enjoying the holidays. A problems. We must not fix the problem our- total of 600 pamphlets will be distributed selves by handing out money.” this week in Polish and in English around One only needs to look to the audiences’ Krakow’s restaurants and cafes discourag- reaction to see the dichotomy of opinions ing adults from giving children money. Such when it comes to this problem. pamphlets will be placed on cafe and restau- “British and other foreign tourists are rant tables around Rynek Glowny, particu- much more relaxed and enjoy the dancing larly in the beer gardens. performances. They clap along and some- The city police and municipal guards will times even dance with the kids giving them be sent out to stop such behavior and perfor- big ‘tips’ as rewards. The Polish customer mances. But what is so demoralizing about a however hates being bothered and will often healthy dose of initiative and the early signs ignore the young buskers,” says Basia Bi- of private enterprise? Surely the young vio- elecka, a waitress at the popular Piano Roz linist boy in his baroque get up and classical on Rynek Glowny. “The kids can get ag- fingertips cannot be slummed into the same gressive though, especially the card sellers. category of a church-front beggar? They throw around verbal abuse until they “This is how we make our pocket money,” get the desired money and then leave your says one young ambitious dancer dressed table alone. We haven’t seen much munici- sharply to impress the audience. A lot of ef- pal guard patrol rectifying this problem.” fort goes into his performance. If the campaign is successful this will “This is how we make our pocket money,” says one young ambitious dancer dressed sharply to impress the audience. A lot of ef- “We are not targeting the holiday busk- soon change. fort goes into his performance. ing children who with the support of their “The problem exists if the kids continue parents perform well-orchestrated acts. The to receive money. We stop giving them campaign is aimed at those children who money, the kids stop begging,” says Father walk around Rynek Glowny, among the Augustynski. The deeper-rooted problem cafe tables, with outstretched hands asking with poverty continues however to remain Where to swim in Krakow? for money for cards that they have drawn,” untouched. Mateusz Zurawik many people the pool is dirty. Furthermore open-air ones. STAFF JOURNALIST there are no lockers for clothes. The most popular pools are those belong- One of the most popular places to swim ing to Krakowianka Sports Association. The majority of the indoor swimming in Krakow is Park Wodny on ul. Dobrego Among them, however, only one is worth 663 liters of pools in Krakow are closed for the entire visiting, in this reporter‘s opinion. summer. Those seeking relief from the The pool on ul. Bulwarowa is far from heat may choose one of the open-air pools. The most popular pools are the city center, but it is made of high-qual- blood given at These, however, are often too crowded for those belonging to Krakow- ity materials and the water is about 25 Cel- comfortable swimming. ianka Sports Association. sius degrees all day. This may be the best University swimming pools are very pop- Among them, however, only swimming pool in Krakow, but getting ular among Krakow residents. Two of them there by tram from the city center takes Woodstock Festival have been recently opened after a month’s one is worth visiting, in this about an hour. closing: the Akademia Ekonomiczna (Uni- reporter‘s opinion. Avoid the Krakowianka pool on ul. the krakow post coming to the festival aren’t devils in- versity of Economics) on ul. Rakowicka and Zywiecka. Not only is it one of the most carnate, but human beings conscious of Akademia Pedagogiczna (Pedagogical Uni- crowded pools in Krakow but it also is one A unique record was set this year at other people’s needs and are capable of versity of Krakow) on ul. Oleandry. Pasterza. There are many attractions, includ- of the most dirty. the Woodstock Festival: 663 liters of sympathizing with those less fortunate in Sports club pools are not recommended. ing water slides for children, but be prepared The bottom of the pool seems to be cov- blood were donated amounting to twice their health. The roof cover of the TS Wisla (Vistula for long lines. ered with old mud, and service at the pool is as much as last year. This proves that, The Woodstock Festival is organized Sports Club) is closed, and according to The alternatives for these pools are the exceptionally rude. contrary to popular notion, young people in western Poland and ended August 4. Transport operator educates passengers Grazyna Zawada happen. cooler when air-conditioning is standard older people or children bearing it,” she STAFF JOURNALIST The problem is that only six buses – because doors will be open only when said. MPK said another reason for the out of the hundreds that the city runs are passengers want them to be. new system will be to keep heat in the Krakow’s transit operator is educat- air-conditioned now. And the air-con- But for now passengers are broiling buses when winter arrives. ing passengers in opening bus doors ditioning on those six even more than they Krakow bought the six buses that by themselves. On August 1, a fleet of hasn’t been turned on In early August, a fleet of were under the old have air-conditioning from Spain be- air-conditioned buses took to Krakow’s because of cost. system. cause they were offered at an attractive air-conditioned buses took streets. The vehicles do not open their So passengers are With doors closed price. But passengers say the air-condi- doors at each bus stop, however, to dying of the heat be- to Krakow’s streets. The ve- more than in the past, tioning is never turned on. maintain their temperature and preserve cause bus doors are hicles do not open their doors most of the fresh The reason why the air-conditioning energy. But special buttons on the out- closed much longer at each bus stop, however, to air available is from has been off is to save money. Air-con- side of the buses near the doors can be than before – and the maintain their temperature windows. ditioned vehicles use more fuel. pressed by passengers wishing to hop only ventilation is and preserve energy. “Sometimes I But an avalanche of passenger com- onboard. from windows. feel like I’m going plaints has prompted MPK to consider Many people are unaware of the new MPK officials said they apologize to to faint,” said a passenger catching her using the air-conditioning. system, however. They stand waiting for passengers for the inconvenience. They breath after leaving a crowded bus on a Whether that happens by the end of the driver to open the doors, as used to said the new system will keep buses sunny, hot afternoon. “I can’t imagine this summer remains to be seen. 8 The Krakow Post KRAKOW AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 Exchange an Are Krakow’s trees in danger? Internet ad for a nice signboard

the krakow post

“We invite you to take part in a new cam- paign called ‘An Ad for an Ad.’ Each entre- preneur who decides to adapt an existing or planned signboard put on a historic building to the aesthetics of Krakow’s historic city center will receive a free Internet advertise- ment on www.krakow.pl web site visited by 800 thousand Internet users monthly.” The above notice, which was recently placed on Krakow’s official web site, is an- other attempt at beautifying the city center. Signboards on the facades of the old historic buildings have marred the center for many years. The problem is that obtaining a permit for a billboard can take months, as it requires the approval of the chief graphic designer of the city, the municipal department of archi- tecture and the main architect of the city. As a result, the majority of signs in the city center hang there illegally. Paradoxi- cally, the law forbids removing existing signboards. If authorities remove a sign, they could be accused of damaging personal property. The deadlock has continued for years, and the Internet appeal is the latest at- tempt to improve the situation. The idea consists of rewarding entrepre- neurs who improve the appearance of their signboards. Those who succeed will get the opportunity to advertise for free on the www.krakow.pl web site. The daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza quotes Filip Szatniak, the City of Krakow’s press office manager: “Krakow’s major problems are the horrid advertising banners placed on the facades of the buildings by the owners of the travel and real estate agencies. In my opinion these companies will be espe- cially interested in promoting themselves on According to municipal officials, Krakow won’t become a concrete desert, although the number of trees may diminish as a price for city’s progress. the city’s official web site, which is visited by a great number of not only tourists but Grazyna Zawada ness reasons. sidered plantings in past years. But the list compensation instead of planting new trees also Krakow’s residents.” Staff JOURNALIST The removals have some people fearing of applications for greenery removal also and consider the matter settled. In addition, Some entrepreneurs and business own- that Krakow will become a concrete desert. includes locations in the Old City. the City of Krakow’s road department is ers have misgivings about the campaign, A record amount of applications for tree “The Municipality Compensation is re- exempt from tree fees. Cutting down trees however. They say the proposal is unclear cut down permission has been put forward doesn’t have any reason- quired for the removal of is pure profit for them, because of the sold as to how the city will promote certain com- in the department of Public Utility and En- able plan for cutting down Since the beginning of trees: planting new trees timber, says Waszkiewicz. panies. vironmental Protection of the Municipality trees and replacing them this year, the city has or a cash payment. According to municipal officials, Krakow Who is to decide which signboard is pret- this year. Krakow’s trees are disappearing with new ones,” says received more than “But trees planted in won’t become a concrete desert, although tier than the others? The policy is more clear at a record pace. Since the beginning of this Mariusz Waszkiewicz of compensation are simply the number of trees may diminish as a price with the Internet web site. All of the ad- year, the city has received more than 300 ap- the Environment Protec- 300 applications for not enough,” says Wasz- for city’s progress. vertisements placed there will be designed plications for the removal of several thou- tion Society. “In a couple the removal of several kiewicz. “Imagine cutting “All I can say for now is that I’m sur- according to the instructions of the portal sand trees and bushes. of years we will be able to thousand trees down an oak and planting prised by the (tree-cutting) situation,” says administrators. Considering the great num- Some of the removals are justified by forget standard trees in be- and bushes. a dwarf cherry instead. Magdalena Jaskiewicz of Krakow’s Bureau ber of Internet users visiting Krakow’s of- the bad condition of the trees and the pub- tween the buildings.” The ecological, ecosys- of Spacial Planning. “I hope that at least the ficial web site, this may be an attractive of- lic safety threat in case of high winds and The greatest number of temic and landscape value Municipality keeps record on the number of fer. Making all the web advertisements look storms. But other trees and shrubs are being trees are being cut down in the Nowa Huta is incomparable.” trees cut down and doesn’t let the most pre- alike, however, certainly will not make them cut down for mainly commercial and busi- and Azory districts, some because of ill-con- What’s worse, some people pay a cash cious be lost.” more effective. New opportunities for city’s logistics business

Wioletta Ziemba Tarkowski said Krakow has the potential Staff JOURNALIST to play a major role in distribution in southern Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine, but it needs to A Krakow-area redevelopment agency has move fast. Silesia and Rzeszow are already try- found companies that want to open warehouse ing to become major logistics centers, he said. and other facilities in a 22-hectare office, distri- Residential real estate developers have been bution and industrial park at Rybitwy, 7 kilome- wanting to build apartment complexes in the ters from the center of Krakow. Rybitwy area, but the redevelopment agency The Malopolska Agency wants to see commercial de- for Regional Development A Krakow-area redevelop- velopment. It’s hard to find commer- SA said it is also talking ment agency has found with other companies inter- cial space in Krakow, said ested in the park. companies that want to open Waclaw Andruszko, direc- Some are thinking about warehouse and other facilities tor of Krakow’s Chamber putting distribution centers in a 22-hectare office, distri- of Trade and Industry. Many for southern Poland, Slo- bution and industrial park at companies can find good vakia and Ukraine there, Rybitwy, 7 kilometers from employees but no office according to the Gazeta the center of Krakow. space to put them in. That Wyborcza newspaper. has led to companies finding Six hectares of the park space in communities out- are available now. side Krakow. They include existing structures that compa- “I am impressed by the vast area of Ry- nies could renovate, such as one that was once bitwy,” Andruszko said. “There won’t be any used to make equipment for the army. Some in- problem finding companies willing to invest dustrial companies are already operating there, there.” the redevelopment agency announced. The redevelopment agency said some of the The redevelopment agency said the area is companies that have committed to the park will large enough to accommodate 30,000 square start building facilities this year. meters of offices and warehouses. In addition to Rybitwy, the agency has par- While Krakow is a hub of road and rail net- cels on ul. Powstania Warszawskiego in Kra- works, “for many years it’s lacked warehouse kow and in the Podgorze District. areas and warehouses themselves,” said Jacek Agency director Witold Smialek said those Tarkowski, director of the Polish Association of parcels could accommodate facilities with Logistics Managers. 10,000 square meters of space. Warehouses opening in and around Krakow. AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 9 Fast tram line set to open in November 2008 after years of plans, postponement and confusion

Jakub Szufnarowski The trams will likely be open for pub- Staff JOURNALIST lic use in November. Building a fast-tram line in Krakow is Krakow’s future underground trams an important investment for the city and will run from Krowodrza Gorka to the its goal of developing an integrated sys- tram terminal on ul. Krzemienna, and tem of traffic control. Heavy city-center from the Mogilskie roundabout to the traffic, the increasing number of students Grzegorzeckie roundabout. Their con- and fast-developing university campuses nection times will be faster than the city’s are all major reasons for improving the current surface trams. city’s transportation Now, according to Krakow’s future un- system. Gazeta Wyborcza, “the The prediction by city authorities have derground trams will Karol Musial, Jagiello- finally managed to col- run from Krowodrza nian University’s pro- lect money for finishing vice chancellor, that a tunnel between Mo- Gorka to the tram students would be com- gilskie roundabout and terminal on ul. Krze- peting with residents for Pawia street and to sign mienna, and from the vacant seats in buses has a contract for it with a become a reality. consortium consisting of Mogilskie roundabout If the present situa- Budostal 5 and ZUE SA. to the Grzegorzeckie tion persists, in a few “For 164 mln zloty, years time the academic these two companies are roundabout. Their centers being built in going to install tracks connection times will Krakow’s suburbs may and electric traction in be faster than the city’s be almost inaccessible the tunnel, provide it with by public transport. additional emergency ex- current surface trams. According to the Ja- its and, what is especially giellonian University’s important, finish building estimates, the city two underground transfer points – one of would have to provide a tram at least ev- them located under Galeria Krakowska ery five minutes to make the public trans- and the other opposite the buildings of port system efficient. So the fast-tram line the University of Technology at Pawia investment could be just the first drop in Street. This is exactly what needs to be the traffic bucket. done in order to complete the first line of The Krakow Municipality’s goals may Krakow’s fast-tram.” include constructing new bike lanes, The tunnel should be ready for its first opening city bike rentals, giving priority test ride along sections of the designated to public transport, prohibiting traffic in Building a fast-tram line in Krakow is an important investment for the city and its goal of developing an integrated system of route by November 2008. the city center and promoting carpooling. traffic control. Inspirational photographer, founder of Kazimierz’s Galicia Museum Chris Schwarz passes away Soren A. Gauger Staff JOURNALIST

Chris Schwarz, founder of Kazimierz’s Galicia Museum, was buried in Rakowice Cemetery at 13:00 on Friday, August 3, af- ter struggling with cancer for a number of years. Schwarz’s story has something of the fairy-tale about it. He first came to Poland in 1989 as a freelance photo-journalist to cover the climactic events occurring in that year. He was taken on a side trip to see some abandoned Galician synagogues afterwards, and took the first photographs of a collection that was to occupy the rest of his life. Upon learning of his cancer some years ago, Schwarz embarked on a project to leave his mark: to establish a museum for his collected photographs somewhere in the Galicia region. In April 2004, he opened the current building on ul. Dajwor 18 in the Kazimierz district. Chris Schwarz (1948-2007). Kate Craddy, the museum coordinator and a close friend of Schwarz’s, will be tak- Half-Jewish by birth, British by nationality, ing over the direction of the museum with Buddhist by temperament. She recalls most his passing. prominently his generosity of spirit, and his She stresses that the airy, modern con- enormous devotion to his life’s work, the struction of the museum museum. was a conscious attempt Schwarz’s story has something The museum was to make Jewish visitors of the fairy-tale about it. closed only one day a year, from Israel and the U.S. on Yom Kippur, and on feel at home, to offer an He first came to Poland in Christmas Day Schwarz alternative to the can- 1989 as a freelance photo-jour- would sit in the museum dles-and-antiques 1930s’ nalist to cover the climactic alone to wait for guests. ambiance of Kazimierz’s events occurring in that year. He sat near the entrance famous coffee houses. and greeted each of his And indeed, the building He was taken on a side trip to museum’s guests person- functions as a reception see some abandoned Galician ally. Craddy was unable to place for a great many synagogues afterwards, and comment on what direction Jewish families coming took the first photographs of a the museum might take in to Auschwitz and need- collection that was to occupy the future, though she did ing a place to give voice comment that Schwarz’s to their experiences. the rest of his life. photographs would, of Craddy speaks of course, continue to be the Chris Schwarz as a man of contradictions. cornerstone of the exhibition. 10 The Krakow Post KRAKOW AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 New sheet mill opens at Mittal factory Jakub Szufnarowski the mill’s grand opening. Former President Staff JOURNALIST Lech Walesa, the ceremony’s special guest of honor, defined the investment as “a global Krakow’s Mittal steel mill, together with success.” Gdansk’s shipyard, is one of the most im- Authorities said the new mill will be able portant symbols of worker resistance against to produce 2.4 mln tons of metal sheeting an- the Communist regime in Poland. For many nually for European and Asian markets with years the mill has been treated as a historic the potential to increase production to 5 mln monument and a true legend about which tons annually. numerous documentaries, books and comics The huge facility will not only transform have been made. For many years Krakow’s the steel mill itself but also spur develop- metallurgical industry has awaited a major ment throughout the region. Among those investment. Last week who will gain from the marked a new stage in the massive investment are Mittal mill’s history. Authorities said the the mill’s numerous sup- The opening of a new new mill will be able pliers. And although the sheet mill in Krakow’s new Krakow mill is listed legendary Mittal steel to produce 2.4 mln in ArcelorMittal’s official plant is being hailed as tons of metal sheeting business plan as the last of the most technologically its strategic investments in advanced investment in annually for European the area, there is already the European metallurgi- and Asian markets speculation about new cal industry in the past ones to follow. 20 years. The new facility with the potential to ArcelorMittal is the was made possible thanks world’s largest steel com- to the 2006 merger be- increase production to pany with 320,000 em- tween Mittal and Arcelor, 5 mln tons annually. ployees in more than 60 the world’s leaders in the countries. Its reveune last steel industry. year was estimated at $88 Authorities said the new mill cost about bln. The Mittal Steel Poland division has its 1.24 bln zloty and will produce steel sheet- headquarters in Katowice, and the company ing mainly for the automotive and household will share its profits with the Silesian capital goods industries. mainly. Krakow and Lesser Poland will have Krakow’s Mittal steel mill, together with Gdansk’s shipyard, is one of the most important symbols of worker resistance against Kazimierz Bujakowski, the deputy mayor to settle for the profits from the estimated in- the Communist regime in Poland. of Krakow, was one of the many guests at crease in the region’s exports. City plans to convert area below Rynek Glowny into a museum Alicja Natkaniec helped give them a glimpse of city life in the STAFF JOURNALIST Middle Ages. They included a large scale, pieces of The city plans to convert into a museum vending stalls, wooden structures, sections a 2,200-square-meter area below Rynek of limestone-paved streets and sections of Glowny that has yielded archaeological medieval roads. The archaeologists said treasures in recent years. some objects were made before Krakow re- Mayor Jacek Majchrowski has appointed ceived a royal charter as a city in 1257. The a team of specialists to prepare a detailed archaeologists also uncovered more then concept for the museum, which will open 100 graves dating to the 11th Century, an in two years. Ireneusz Pluska, a professor indication that part of Rynek Glowny was of the Academy of Fine Arts, will lead the once a cemetery. team. Planners laid out Rynek Glowny after the In addition to recommending how the city received its charter in 1257. It became museum should be set up to best preserve the largest marketplace in medieval Europe artifacts and accommodate and educate visi- and the commercial hub of the city. tors, the team will suggest a technical plan Those going to Rynek Glowny these days for dealing with an underground venue, such can see an exhibition of Wieslaw Majka’s as ventilation and air conditioning systems. photographs of the most important parts of The city plans to ask the EU for money to the excavations. help construct the museum. The museum will be part of the City His- In the next two months the team of spe- torical Museum, which will oversee any cialists will present the over-all museum commercial elements to the underground concept, as well as a suggested schedule for facility, such as a book store, souvenir shops the work over the next two years. The next or a cafe. step would be for the Provincial Preserva- It will have three purposes – to preserve tion Council to sign off on it. the artifacts, make them accessible to the Majchrowski also announced that fencing public and educate the public about the that had been put around areas of pavement times when the artifacts were used. The city that appeared to have structural weaknesses will pay for preservation efforts. will be removed. Engineers are satisfied that The city wants the museum to “present its the pavement is not structurally weak. The history in a modern and interesting way,” the fencing had been in place a year. mayor said. That will include multimedia Archaeologists began excavating the area presentations, interactive exhibits and other in 2005. The city was preparing to modern- cutting-edge means of expression. ize the surface of Rynek Glowny, and regu- Majchrowski said Jan Ołdakowski, di- lations require contractors to allow archae- rector of the renowned Warsaw Uprising ologists to examine areas that might be of Museum, will be an adviser to the under- archaeological value. ground project. Those who know about The area that the archaeologists excavated Oldakowski’s work hopes his involvement grew over time to 2,200 square meters. will help make the Krakow museum as During the excavations the archaeolo- much of a “must-see” as the Warsaw Upris- gists discovered historical treasures that ing Museum. AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 KATOWICE The Krakow Post 11 U.S. Library of Congress recognizes Silesian language

Joanna Zabierek Andrzej Roczniok, a representative released in languages recognized by sTAFF JOURNALIST of the Union of Citizens of Silesian this library.” Nationality in Poland, says the U.S. The U.S. library has printed mate- The Silesian language has been rec- rials in 470 languages, with more than ognized by the U.S. Library of Con- 58 mln manuscripts and 30 mln cata- gress as one of the world’s national Official recognition of the logued books. Polish scientists still languages. It’s a big step forward, say language can have many differ as to whether the Silesian lan- the language’s supporters. They also benefits, such as grants for guage is indeed a separate language hope to enter Silesian language into the promotion of Silesian or just a regional dialect. Silesian the official list of regional languages, speech, regional culture and has no written rules, and the gram- so as the Kashubian language. education, including the mar and vocabulary vary regionally. Official recognition of the lan- publishing of books. But that doesn’t deter Roczniok and guage can have many benefits, such other Silesian supporters. They point as grants for the promotion of Sile- out that more than 170,000 Poles de- sian speech, regional culture and edu- recognition is a significant achieve- scribed their nationality as “Silesian” cation, including the publishing of ment because the Library of Congress and that one-third of them use the books and magazines. “informs the whole world of all books Silesian language at home. Estates in Katowice – the capital of Upper Silesia, a major industrial area where Silesian is spoken. New terminal opened at Silesia’s first artificial Katowice Pyrzowice Airport beach in Chorzow

the krakow post shops. sengers a year – about 1,200 an hour. The third level is a passenger waiting But airport manager Kazimierz Kubik said Another is already on the drawing boards. lounge. the number of passengers will exceed the new A new terminal at Katowice-Pyrzowice It boasts an observation deck of 180 me- capacity in a few years. Airport has been open only six weeks, but air- ters, the longest in Poland. That’s why airport officials have been port officials are already taking about adding Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport is the fastest- working on a long-term growth plan. another one. Although the final version won’t be ready The reason is a spurt in flights to and from until the end of the year, airport officials say Katowice, part of a boom at every regional The new Katowice-Pyrzo- it will include another terminal – but this time airport in Poland. wice terminal, which cost 80 one that will be erected in a new place. Airport officials expect the growth to con- mln zloty, tripled the size of In addition to being able to accommodate tinue, necessitating additional facilities. the old one to 21,300 square a growing number of passengers, Katowice- the krakow post about work or household duties: Hot sand, The new Katowice-Pyrzowice terminal, meters. That makes Pyrzowice opened the new terminal to comply umbrellas, deck chairs, a bar, even beach vol- which cost 80 mln zloty, tripled the size of the the airport complex the with a EU passenger-screening requirement. Deck chair, sand between toes, cool drink leyball. old one to 21,300 square meters. biggest among Poland’s When Poland became part of the EU, it be- in hand – plus the rumble of streetcars and the That makes the airport complex the biggest With hot temperatures forecast this week- regional airports. came a party to the Schengen Treaty, which roar of car engines. among Poland’s regional airports. end will come a throng of sun bathers. covers airport security and other procedures. Chorzow joins Berlin, Paris, London, Bir- The new terminal is part of the airport The beach is open from noon until late at A major requirement of the treaty is that air- mingham and other European cities in having building, but the one that airport officials are growing in Europe. A few years ago it served ports be able to separate passengers traveling night. a man-made beach downtown. planning will stand by itself. only 200,000 passengers a year. Last year the to countries in the Schengen Zone – mostly It has been fenced, so parents don’t have to The beach is on the shore of the canal in The new terminal has three levels. On the number topped 1 mln. EU countries – from those traveling to other be worry about their children. first level are the Arrival and Departure areas It is used not only by residents of Kato- countries. The new terminal offers that pas- the Provincial Culture and Recreation Park, or This little slice of paradise is the perfect and check-in desks. wice, but also Chorzow, Zabrze and the whole senger-separating ability. Wojewodzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku. place for kids during the day and a good chill- The second level contains a restaurant, Upper Silesia region. The new terminal gives The other Schengen Treaty countries be- It’s near the Kapelusz (“Hat”) exhibition out zone for adults in the evening. a book shop, a florist, a pharmacy and other the airport the ability to handle 3.5 mln pas- sides EU members are Norway and Iceland. arena. There is everything you need to forget And best of all, admission is free. Krakowians among most content in Europe Brazilian restaurant From CITY on Page 1 in the Old Town With its close proximity of pubs, restau- true stereotype when people say that on it comes to leading a rich social and cultur- rants, schools, universities, cinemas, fruit a Sunday you can see all your acquain- With its close proximity of al life,” and that, most would argue is what and veg markets, shops, clubs, libraries, tances in Rynek Glowny,” Professor makes the locals so content. ul. Sw. Tomasza 28 galleries, cafes, concert halls and theaters, Swiatkowska laughs. pubs, restaurants, schools, It also helps to have the opinions avail- the average local knows he or she is lucky This indeed is an element of authen- able from the foreigners and the expats We invite you every to have everything on hand. ticity of the town and a source of its universities, cinemas, fruit who arrive to this city. The Dean of Philology at the Jagiellonian pride, slowing its pace considerably to They are able to point out the cities ad- day from 12:00 p.m. University, Professor Marcela Swiatkowska that of Warsaw or even Wroclaw. and veg markets, shops, vantages and disadvantages leaving local says it is the dynamism of the students that Marcin Bober an internal control ana- clubs, libraries, galleries, Krakowians appreciating the place that adds to the contentment of its residents. lyst, came to Krakow 8 years ago as a they are living in even more, as well as “The campus is located in such close student and decided to stay, claiming cafes, concert halls and providing food for thought and eventual proximity of Rynek Glowny with its the city “combines perfectly traditional improvements. 200,000 students and this creates the liveli- elements with modern development, as theaters, the average local A city with vast contrasts Krakow pro- ness Krakow is so known for. It is not just well as being the socio-cultural hub of knows he or she is lucky to vides its residents with an air of authentic- the tourist giving the city the vibe.” she Poland.” ity no longer available in some overly com- claims. “But it is also a familiar city, small According to him “everyone knows have everything on hand. mercialized cities centers of Europe, and Reservations: Tel.: (0) 12 422-5323 www.ipanema.pl enough to retain local friendships. It is a that Krakow has the most to offer when that is what draws people to it. 12 The Krakow Post ARTS & IDEAS AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 When the puzzle pieces do not fit: Festival of Music in Old An interview with Soren A. Gauger Krakow people like Laurence Sterne, who was the master of digression in English literature, the krakow post and all the people that were influenced by Laurence Sterne as well, such as Viktor The famous Festival of Music in Old Shklovsky, who were very interested in de- Krakow starts in the middle of August The scribing things in a way that was so round- 32nd Festival of Music in Old Krakow will about that the readers sometimes lost track be held from August 15-31 and will present of what the reality of the situation was. It’s a variety of works ranging from early music about disorienting the reader as much as to contemporary compositions. possible also via languages. The festival will feature some 22 con- certs spread out over 17 days and will bring Q: Your book was published by the Czech together “household names” from through- publishing house... out the world. Invited stars include Polish A: Actually, the publisher’s very picky and foreign soloists, chamber groups and about this. He’s an American in the Czech orchestras. Music lovers will have the op- Republic so it’s an American publishing portunity to listen to what as been called the house in Prague. world’s finest vocal quartet, the Hilliard En- semble. Other headliners include the guitar Q: Was your book published there by quartet Los Romeros, violinist Ida Haendel, chance or did you choose Twisted Spoon pianist Awadagin Pratt and the Amsterdam Press intentionally? Baroque Orchestra conducted by Ton Koop- A: Well, I originally sent the book to a cou- man. The festival will be inaugurated with ple of Canadian publishing houses and they Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Creation. essentially told me: Why would we be inter- On August 19, Capella Cracoviensis will ested in a Canadian living in Poland? I found perform the concert version of Orfeo by it unusual because I thought there would be Claudio Monteverdi on the 400th anniver- something interesting in a Canadian living sary of the performance of this first opera in abroad. There were a couple of things that history of music. attracted me to Twisted Spoon Press. One of The final concert will be devoted to Kar- them was the fact that it was very interested ol Szymanowski, one of the greatest Polish in publishing expatriates. The other thing composers, on the 70th anniversary of his is that he [the publisher] allows the writer death. The festival also will include two to participate in the making of the book, concerts of Romanian and Bulgarian ortho- which is very rare these days. He made his dox choir music. suggestions obviously but everything was The idea of the festival is to present mu- my decision ultimately as to how the book sic at the most beautiful sites of Krakow, was made. And he distributes in America. such as churches, synagogues, museums, The advertising he does is very minimum the Jagiellonian University and the Philhar- but this was very appealing that I had an in- monic Hall, depending on the character of fluence on the content of the book. I have the music being performed. some friends who write for larger publish- The festival book includes not only ing houses where it happens that they get 50 the information about performing artists, pages cut out because adventure and love composers and musical pieces but also the plots must be introduced into their works. description of each historical site. Festival Obviously, this is not particularly advanta- of Music in Old Krakow is the brainchild geous to literature and I didn’t have to deal of Stanislaw Galonski, artistic director of with any of that. The cover is done by Cris- Capella Cracoviensis, Krakow’s eminent tian Opris, a friend of mine from Romania, orchestra. who won the national prize for graphic arts. This year’s edition of the festival is orga- He’s a very talented graphic artist I believe. nized under the patronage of the mayor of Krakow, and is sponsored by the Municipal Q: As what happens in your book merges Council of Krakow. More information is with the dreams of your characters there available on: www.capellacracoviensis.pl arises a question whether we could and should trust your narrators or characters in order to enjoy your book? A: I don’t know how much literary theory on Dumplings for all! Anna Widlarz The Krakow Post: You’ve been living in kind of meta-narrative style of writing, which literature you’ve read but as a good student staff journalist Poland since 1998. Have any experiences I’m a little bit less interested in now, because of post-structural literary theory I knew all the krakow post from Poland or any Polish writers influenced after reading a certain number of Nabokov’s about the unreliable narrator and at the time I the way you wrote “Hymns to Millionaires” books, eventually you want something that was very excited about that. Certainly, I enjoy The Dominican Order, together with the or the themes you included there? you would have to call sincerity or rather books where the reader feels the discrepancy Krakow Festival Bureau, has organized the Soren Alberto Gauger honesty. After a lot of these games with form between what is actually happening and what fifth annual Pierogi Festival to be combined Soren A. Gauger: The reason why I came this style of writing simply makes you tired. they are being told and there is a very old tra- with the 750th anniversary of the death of was born in Nova Scotia, to Poland in the first place was because I ab- However, in terms of punctuation and the dition of that in literature. It would be tragic St. Jack, the patron saint of the order. The solutely fell in love with Bruno Schultz and way that dialogue floats into narrative, I was simply if somebody read this book and knew celebration will take place form August 11th Canada in 1975. In Kra- when I was still in Canada I tried to write a very influenced by Jakov Lind, who created that every time I said I, I was referring to my- until the 15th on pl. Szczepanski. novel which was extremely derivative of essentially such kind of grotesque nightmares self. I suppose it’s simply another level of dis- Celebrating with food might seem like a kow, where he presently Bruno Schultz. I had to immediately throw in which this flow of dialogue into narration orientation. If you can’t trust the very person strange idea, but the past successes of the it in the garbage because it was just such creates slipperiness conveyed in something who’s giving you the information, then what Festival of Soups and the Pierogi Festival lives, he has worked as a nonsense. But this is what you have to go like a dream flowing quickly into reality and exactly can you trust about the story? shows that they venue really does hold its through. It was unpublishable of course. other way round. This reluctance to give the own. The Pierogi Festival is very nation- readers footholds and make them know that Q: At first I tried to make a plan of what was ally oriented. Indeed, as organizers explain, writer, translator and lec- Q: Was it unpublishable in Canada? this is the reality of the situation and not this happening in the story but then I gave up their aim is to “promote the qualities of His- A: No, it was just bad, simply (laughs). What is something I found very interesting at that when I realized it’s not the way of reading it. toric-Polish cuisine among the guests and turer at Jagiellonian Uni- I’ve learned from that was that the style of time. And still do. A: (Laughs) There are some stories in my tourists visiting Krakow, both domestic and contemporary Canadian and North American book like a story about Odessa, where I foreign.” And, as pierogi (small, flour-based versity. He’s the author of literature wasn’t interesting at all for me. At Q: Your style reminds me of stream of con- purposefully constructed the story so that if dumplings) are arguably the most famous the present time literature in the U.S. and sciousness. Did the works of Joyce or other someone wanted to create the plan the puzzle Polish food, they were the obvious choice “Hymns to Millionaires” Canada is very much influenced by a kind writers who wrote that way influence you? pieces would not all fit together at the end. for the role of cultural ambassador. of bare simplicity, Hemingway, for example: A: Actually, I don’t like Joyce at all. I have Creating something like an impossible narra- Apart from its promotional aspects, the (his first book) and the very short sentences, very few adjectives. So a very abstract respect for what he depicts. tive that’s what I thought was interesting. Pierogi Festival will include two contests I wanted to write something that had nothing His books are unbearable. I prefer authors to decide which chef creates the most delec- co-translator of “Wait- to do with contemporary North American like Hermann Broch, who wrote “The Death table dumplings. literary fashion and in that sense I suppose I of Virgil” and was very much influenced The first pierogi competition will take ing for the Dog to Sleep” was very influenced by the writing from Po- by Joyce, or Flann O’Brien, who was in place on the 11th and allow the public to de- land, Russia, that I was reading at the time. Joyce’s shadow. He was also working with cide the tastiest recipe and the recipient of by Jerzy Ficowski. His the stream of consciousness technique and Kazimierz the Great. The second competi- Q: It’s very hard to say what “Hymns to his writing was much more interesting for tion, which will be held on the second day essays have appeared in Millionaires” is about especially to a person me. I think what Joyce did was important of the festival, will be judged by a jury of who didn’t read it but I think that the key to but it has right now been repeated so fre- connoisseurs, whose choice will be com- a number of journals, in- its meaning is in its style. In some of your quently that you need to recreate it in your memorated by the statue of St. Jack. stories you use punctuation marks in a very own fashion to make it seem worth doing at Eating will not be the only attraction cluding Chicago Review, original way. That’s why what is said gets this point. And to some extent I was trying planned for the event. Among others are blurred with what actually happens in your to recreate it in my own fashion. concerts, the performance of a medieval Jacob’s Ladder, Capilano prose. To what degree and how does your drama “The Miracle’s of St. Nicholas” and style influence what you wanted to convey Q: Why do you use such elaborated lan- workshops concerning the art of making and Review and Prague in your stories? guage in your book? Why “corporal en- cooking pierogi. A: It’s a complicated question. I think at that tity” instead of “body” or “fortuitous dis- For additional information concerning Literary Review. time as well I was very much under the influ- order” instead of “accidental disorder”? the exact schedule of the festival visit www. ence of writers like Nabokov and Borges, this A: (Laughs) Well, I was also reading Gauger’s “Hymns to Millionaires” biurofestiwalowe.pl AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 ARTS & IDEAS The Krakow Post 13 Revelation Representation of in Artpol time in photography Marzena Skubatz’s exhibition at ZPAF and S-ka Gallery

the krakow post are often images of queer and odd aliens combined with elements of mass culture This Friday, August 10, Artpol is and needs of social imagination. opening a new “Summer with Pies Gal- Artpol will show the installation, Marzena Skubatz, “Transitions and Walls,” from August 10, 19:00 to September 2 lery” project. After exhibiting work by “Revelation.” The piece is over a me- at the ZPAF and S-ka Gallery on ul. sw. Tomasza 24. Marcin Maciejowski, Basia Banda and ter tall of an odd, half alien-half boy Seweryn Swacha, the curators chose an who observes the revelation of the Holy installation piece by young artist To- Mother Maria. It’s filled with expression masz Mroz. and romanticism, as well as anxiety. To- Spanish tenor, conductor Placido Domingo Tomasz Mroz graduated form the De- masz Mroz’s “Revelation” is worth see- partment of Graphics at the Academy of ing as an excellent work which has the Fine Arts in Poznan. He is known for his power to draw to our senses. becomes honorary patron of Krakow Opera silicon sculptures and video installations. Mroz’s work uses lots of irony, the gro- Tomasz Mroz, Revelation Alicja Natkaniec Krakow Opera and the city’s cultural life. go in hope of bringing to Krakow “Luisa tesque and caricatures in creating a dif- (August 10, 19:00-August 24) Staff Journalist Even more so since music lovers complain Fernanda” – a famous zarzuela by Federic ferent, alternative world. The sculptures Artpol, ul. Zacisze 14 about the inadequate level of Krakow Op- Moreno Torroba, enormously successful On July 23, Placido Domingo – one of era’s productions and the artistic quality of during its recent performances in Europe the best-known lyric tenors of his era and performances. Krakow Opera management and America. director of the Washington and Los Ange- The tenor’s patronage could lead to les Operas – became an honorary patron of holding the World Opera Contest “Opera- the Krakow Opera. On July 23, Placido Domin- lia” in Krakow, a vocal competition under Joe Cocker graces Krakow “I feel honored and particularly favored,” go – one of the best-known Domingo’s artistic aegis since its inception wrote Placido Domingo in his letter to Op- lyric tenors of his era and in 1993. “Operalia” is among the most im- era officials. “I know that Krakow, with its director of the Washington portant and prestigious competitions for rich history, numerous museums, theaters, and Los Angeles Operas talented young musicians organized in a and spoils Poland with galleries and universities, is considered to – became an honorary pa- different city each year. be the cultural capital of Poland. I will be tron of the Krakow Opera. It seems that the Krakow Opera is en- pleased to have the opportunity to support tering a new era, and not solely because of five performances this year and co-create the cultural and artistic life Domingo’s honorary patronage. The insti- of this city.” hopes Domingo will grace the opening of tution is currently waiting for its new seat November and Warsaw in December. The The honorary patronage of Placido the new Opera edifice in May or June 2008. and for a new artistic director to be selected Poznan concert proved that though Cocker Domingo is above all a great prestige for Officials are also cooperating with Domin- September in an open election. is 63 years old, has recorded 26 albums and has overcome alcohol and drug addiction in the early 1970s, he is still full of vigor and charisma, putting his whole heart into Caroline Rose’s photographs in Cricoteka each performance. The last show included his most famous songs, like “You Are So Beautiful,” “Unchain My Heart,” “You Michal Wojtas vantage of Rose’s photos. Can Leave Your Hat On,” or the famous Staff Journalist To an extent, her work is similar to the Beatles cover “With a Little Help from underlying idea of Kantor’s theater. My Friends,” plus nearly his entire latest Cricoteka, Center for Documentation His most famous shows like “The Dead Gallery W&L album, the 2007 “Hymn for My Soul.” The of the art of Tadeusz Kantor, is holding a Class,” “Wielopole, Wielopole,” and record proves, yet again, that regardless of new exhibition titled, “Was it Possible to “Where are the Snows of Yesteryear” are changing trends Cocker stays faithful to his Photograph Tadeusz Kantor’s Theater?” full of reminiscences of a world that no The only gallery rhythm’n’blues roots. Concert organizers Photographer Caroline Rose answers with longer exists. Krzysztof Skonieczny said that the artist is coming to Krakow a a clear – “yes!” Every scene is a kind of collage of sev- with genuine Staff Journalist day early for a quick tour of the city, so au- But the answer isn’t so obvious for many eral thoughts with little in common. tograph seekers should also keep their eyes admirers of one of 20th Century’s greatest They are represented by actors, their Russian and Joe Cocker, the British artist recognized open on Sunday. Concert tickets (110-250 innovators of theater. words, puppets and other items on the by his characteristic hoarseness, will per- zloty) can be purchased online at www. Tadeusz Kantor, a Krakow based painter, stage. Ukrainian art form on Monday, August 13, at the WKS eventim.pl or www.ticketonline.pl. You can playwright and art theoretician, combined French photographer Caroline Rose Wawel Stadium. also check http://klb-music.pl/ for the list actors’ movements, words and music in makes each of these elements visible by in Krakow. The singer seems to be spoiling the of stores around Krakow. the performances of his Cricot 2 Theater. paying great attention to detail and color, Polish audience, as the Krakow perfor- His multifaceted art usually makes photog- a talent recognized in her photos of Gothic Open Daily: mance will be one of five to take place in The concert starts at 20:00 at WKS Waw- raphy too limited a medium to present the churches and other architecture. the country this year. The vocalist has al- el Stadium on ul. Podchorazych, 3. Any tram work’s potential. The exhibition will be in Cricoteka on ul. 11-20 ready visited Poznan in June, will sing in (though no buses) going in the direction of However, photographic film and the Kanonicza 5, until September 28. Its open ul. sw. Jana 30 Gdynia on August 14, and will follow with Bronowice or Bronowice Nowe will get you artists’ magic sometimes enable them to Tuesdays and Thursdays, 14:00-18:00 and [email protected] two end of the year concerts – Katowice in there (get off at Glowackiego stop). record such moments; that’s the main ad- Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00-14:00. 14 The Krakow Post ALTERNATIVE CONSUMER AUGUST 9-AUGUST 15, 2007 Two days of First of May? Go fishing! alt. music in today’s Poland. And although participation in the Polish Communists’ First of May Myslowice activities would have made life easier for publisher Jaranowski and his friends, they the krakow post decided to go their own way. As Solidarity leader Lech Walesa said in This year’s “Off Festival in the Slupna 1981: “We should all go fishing on the First Watering Place” in Myslowice, scheduled to of May!” There was a penalty to be paid for take place on 17-18 August, can be expected ignoring the official marches: ruined career to become one of the country’s most signifi- opportunities in Communist Poland. “I could cant musical events of the year. Conceived not even finish my studies, being involved and directed by Artur Rojek – lead of one with the opposition,” Jaranowski said. “I of Poland’s most successful alternative rock stopped after two years and never finished. groups “Myslovitz,” named after the small The resistance was my whole life.” Silesian town – the festival is becoming an His magazine Hutnik was geared to- important mark on the musical calendar. wards workers at Krakow’s gigantic Huta Last year’s festival received a wide appre- im. Lenina (“Huta in the name of Lenin”), ciation from fans as well as the press. Dur- one of the biggest steel factories in Poland. ing this year’s preparations, Rojek said that It employed 45,000 people in the 1980s, all he plans to “light some fire in a good cause,” potential readers of the underground maga- and both the line-up and the list of additional zine. (The steelworks factory is now called events prove that it does burn. Huta Sendzimira and is a part of Mittal Steel The two-day festival is filled with alter- Poland.) native music on three stages, starting from A Solidarity announcement in 1982, the early afternoon up to well past midnight, when the workers’ union was officially when the most famous bands will perform. banned and forced to stay underground, Among them are the “Australian band Ar- proclaimed: “The First of May is a holiday chitecture in Helsinki,” whose style has been of workers and freedom of labor unions. defined as “Flaming Lips with an incredible We therefore reject taking part in any of the amount of sugar” or UK’s “ILIKETRAINS,” demonstrations organized by our exploiters playing post-rock-intelligent-goth. who rule despite our disapproval! We orga- Additional events will also be held dur- nize our own manifestation. Let us all come ing the festival. An “Indie Label Workshop,” with Solidarity’s signs and demonstrate our will be conducted by Philippe Petit and rejection peacefully.” Markus Detmer. As the name suggests, this During the 1980s, the First of May Com- will not be a traditional music workshop. Pe- munist demonstrations became more con- tit and Detmer will discuss how to create and frontational. Fights with militia squads oc- handle an independent record label, explain- curred regularly. ing the means of producing and distributing Participants in the official demonstrations albums, promoting them using the Internet were required to sign an attendance sheet and organizing concerts. Communist First of May Parade. before they could go home. Meanwhile, After the main part of the “Off Festival” thousands of people gathered for indepen- ends, Myslowice is hosting another event Pawel Piejko rade banners bore slogans: “Greetings for chure said. dent demonstrations. that’s worth staying in town another day for. sTAFF JOURNALIST our brotherhood nation of China!” (1968), Leszek Jaranowski of Krakow, now 49 Hundreds of officers tried to stop them, On Sunday the IndustrialART festival is be- “Youth! Socialism is your future!” (1960) years old, was a prominent opposition activ- beating and arresting even non-demonstra- ing held, aiming to show Silesia from many During Poland’s 44-year Communist era, and “COMECON – the power of economic ist. He was a publisher and printer of one of tors. Since 1989 and the end of Communist different angles represented by artists of dif- First of May (also known in other count as progress!” (1980). the biggest underground newspapers, called rule, First of May activities have become ferent trades. Among the planned events are: May Day) was one of the most important In addition to banners, organizers often Hutnik, which appeared in 1982. very different. a preview of Wilhelm Sasnal films, a mural – but far from beloved – holidays. prepared political chants such as: “Long live “In our little, but important magazine,” Opposition members who moved into by Edward Dwurnik, and a mobile installa- Mass marches and demonstrations were the Soviet Union – invincible mainstay of Jaranowski said, “we put some notes dur- politics no longer feel that the day is their tion “YAPPER,” created by Tomasz Bajer organized and people were forced to partici- world peace and socialism!”, “USA – stay ing First of May which tried to convince our holiday. and Andrzej Dudka Durer, which will be pate in them. away from Vietnam!”, “We condemn Israel readers not to participate in the absurd of- Members of the right-wing leading party, driven around the city. First of May was officially declared a So- – the vanguard of Near East imperialism!” ficial demonstrations. the nationalist PiS (Law and Justice), even The Festival will kick off August 17, at cialist holiday in Poland in 1950 to celebrate Marchers carried red and white-and-red Some Holy Masses were said on that proposed eliminating the First of May from 13:00. Tickets can be bought on the Internet “achievements and victories of the work- flags. The 1950s marches also included day. I personally never cared for the infa- the list of official holidays in Poland. (Most on www.ticketpro.pl, www.ticketportal.pl, ers’ class – the leading power of the nation dolls representing “hated” Polish and for- mous holiday and it means nothing to me. Law and Justice politicians are Solidarity or www.eventim.pl. A two-day ticket costs building socialism.” eign politicians (Truman, Churchill, Tito, The only one of importance is Third of May members and onetime opposition activists.) 45 zloty until August 16 and 55 zloty dur- Holiday marchers were often bused to etc.). After a 1956 political liberalization, (commemorating the 1791 declaration of As for the left wing, opposition groups ing the festival. One-day tickets can be pur- the parade sites and organized into various the dolls disappeared and were replaced by Poland’s Constitution).” still organize First of May rallies. But they chased at the event for 35 zloty. Myslowice social groups such as “youth,” “workers,” more neutral symbols – flowers (carnations The First of May holiday, or International are staged separately, are relatively small is 70 kilometers from Krakow or 10 kilome- “intellectual workers,” etc. They waved to and tulips) and balloons. Workers’ Day, was actually created in 1889, and unnoticed by much of the public. Unlike ters from Katowice. Communist Party leaders who were stand- The situation changed dramatically in the during a labor congress in France. The main elsewhere in the world, where May Day re- Getting there by train takes about 1 hour ing stiffly on a reviewing platform. 1980s after the creation of Solidarity and demand was, “8 hours of work, 8 hours of tains some popularity, the only real associa- and 15 min. For further information in Eng- In response, the party leaders would other opposition organizations. First of May rest, 8 hours of sleep.” tions with First of May among most Poles lish concerning the line-up, directions to the wave sluggishly to the marchers, some- became an occasion for dissent. As Slawomir Sierakowski wrote for Dzie- today the memories of the past. As Lech Festival and important tips, visit: times throwing flowers to the crowd. Pa- “It is our holiday!” a 1985 Solidarity bro- nnik in 2006, those slogans are still alive in Walesa said: “We should all go fishing!” www.en.off-festival.pl PROFESSIONAL, TRAINED EDITORS Classical Guitar Catering Let our trained, professional editors re-stylize your books, reports and documents. Our editors have years of experience working Live for major newspapers and publishing houses. Email: [email protected] classical Tel.: 511 076 266 guitar for your restaurant, cafe, hotel.

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