The Krakow Post
NO. 17 WWW.KRAKOWPOST.COM AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 WEEKLY Germans want Goethe out from under Polish thumb
A librarian at Jagiellonian University holds a book from the Berlinka Library collection, which was left in Poland after World War II. The status of the collection is now under dispute. PHOTO/LUK Agency
Danuta Filipowicz sicist Movement of the late 18th and early Silesian city of Grussau, which at the time THIS WEEK STAFF JOURNALIST 19th centuries. Bach’s religious and secular was part of Germany. works for choir, orchestra and solo instru- Delegates to the Potsdam Conference, Dell sends 400 Germany has for decades asked Poland ments were the zenith of Baroque music. which was called in 1945 to deal with the to return priceless original manuscripts of Beethoven, a crucial figure in the transi- aftermath of World War II, transferred Sile- giants of German writing and composing tional period between the Classical and Ro- sia to Poland. Grussau’s name was changed Poles to Limerick that the Nazis hid in Poland during World mantic eras in Western classical music, was to Krzeszow. Four hundred Poles who will be- War II to prevent Allied bombs from de- one of the greatest composers ever. The Berlinka collections ended up in the gin working at a new Dell Com- stroying. Mozart was a prolific and influential Jagiellonian University Library in Krakow puter factory in Lodz have begun The issue of these treasures, which have composer of the Classical era. He is still – or the Biblioteka Jagiellonska – at al. been at Jagiellonian University in Krakow one of the most popular European compos- Mickiewicz 22. That’s where they remain. training in Limerick, Ireland 3 since the end of the war, lies dormant for ers, his works part of the standard concert “It was fortunate that in 1945 a team of periods of time, then resurfaces. Recently repertoire. Polish librarians found part of the Prussian German and Polish news organizations The German manuscripts are known as Library collection containing about 100,000 Warsaw promo to have resurrected it. the Berlinka Collection because the Prus- items in the Benedictine monastery,” said At the heart of the debate over whether sian State Library was in Berlin. Professor Zdzislaw Pietrzyk, director of the launch in England Poland should return the collection are the In the center of the debate is a question Jagiellonian University Library. The City of Warsaw and easyJet issues of cultural loss and war reparations of Poland’s rights to the former Germanic That discovery probably saved many of and restitution. Cultural Heritage collection and Germany’s the most important items in the collection are planning a promo campaign in About a month ago the authoritative Ger- accountability for cultural losses inflicted because “15 of the 505 wooden chests with England to attract foreign tourists man daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Poland during World War II. documents were already missing,” he said. to the nation’s capital 4 helped rekindle the debate by referring to Before the war the Prussian library was Along with manuscripts of Goethe, Mo- the manuscripts of the former Prussian State one of the most important in Germany. It zart, Beethoven and Bach, the collection Library as “the last German war prisoners.” was closed in mid-1943 to protect its trea- contained manuscripts of Friedrich Schil- Dog therapy in The collection is gigantic, with tens of sures from Allied bombing. Nazi officials ler, the German poet, philosopher, historian thousands of documents. They include orig- ordered the manuscripts sent to Eastern and and dramatist, and of the composer Robert Krakow hospitals inal manuscripts – some autographed – from Central Europe at the end of 1943 and the Schumann archives. such world-famous writers and composers beginning of 1944. The public still does not know the scope Compared to Western Europe as Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Johannes Se- Most of the collection was hidden in cas- of the entire collection because a list of all and North America, dog therapy bastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and tles and monasteries, places Allied bombers the documents has yet to be published, ac- is not common in Poland, even Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. would be unlikely to target. The most price- cording to a library official who asked to Goethe is one of the giants of German lit- less manuscripts were hidden in the Bene- remain anonymous. though its benefits have been erature and a key figure in the Weimar Clas- dictine Abbey and its two churches in the See GERMANY on Page 8 known here since 1987 7 2 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007
R E G I O N A L N E W S
Two Poles killed, three hurt in Austrian hiking accident Poles charged with 2,310 crimes in Two Poles were killed and three others in- jured late last week after falling in a crevice while hiking in the Grossglockner region in central Austria, police said. The five hikers, London, highest rate among foreigners who were roped up, all fell into the crevice while crossing a glacier at over 3,000 meters the krakow post number of offenses. altitude. They were making their way up to Half of the crimes by Italian and French the Erzherzog Johann mountain hut on the London’s Metrpolitan Police force re- nationals were drug related; the Irish Adlersruhe. Police said human error prob- vealed startling crime figures between (with 403 offenses) were charged with the ably caused the accident. January and June 2007. highest number of burglaries; Romanians, “All five members of a roped party fall- The Daily Mail reported that foreign with severely restricted working rights in ing into the crevice, I had never seen that citizens commit more than one out of five the UK, were mostly charged for theft or before,” a local police officer told the Aus- crimes in London. handling (695 offenses). tria Press Agency. The glacier is littered Foreign nationals have been charged Gazeta Wyborcza daily noted that so with crevices due to warm weather. Austrian with committing 22,793 crimes. many crimes are committed by Poles be- television ORF also reported that the group Statistics show that a total of 106,678 cause tens of thousands of Polish workers had been warned about the dangers of hiking arrests were made for severe offenses. have been moving to the British capital in the region. All five Poles were recovered Britons were charged with carrying out during the last few years. from the crevice in a rescue operation lasting 82,459 crimes with another 1,426 com- The Polish community makes up a no- several hours and involving four helicopters. mitted by persons of “unknown” nation- ticeable percentage of the city’s inhabit- Two of them were brought to a hospital with alities, leaving foreign nationals respon- ants. According to the Office of National serious injuries, while the third was only sible for the remaining offenses. Statistics Data, foreigners make up 31 slightly hurt. (AFP) Of those committed by foreign citi- percent of London’s inhabitants, but they Rallying: 49-year-old Czech zens, Poles carried out the highest number commit 20 percent of overall crime. of crimes. The consulate in London is aware of co-driver dies after crash Poles were charged for 2,310 crimes: Poles being frequently detained by city A 49-year-old co-driver, competing in a 583 violent crimes, 32 sex offenses, 201 police. “Local authorities must inform us three-day rally in the eastern Czech city of burglaries, 635 robberies and 626 drug of arrests within three days,” said Consul Zlin, died from injuries after his car skidded offenses. Michal Mazurek. He concedes that the off the road and into trees, the local fire ser- The figures reflect that about one in ten number of Poles detained in Great Brit- vice announced late last week. The competi- crimes was carried out by Poles, about 2.1 ain is quickly growing. According to data tor, named by rally web sites as Ludek Koc- percent of all crimes committed in Lon- from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Af- man, was taking part in the three-day Barum don. fairs 1,340 people were arrested in 2006. Rally Zlin in which around 100 teams, many Polish offenders were followed (in British prisons held 252 Polish inmates in foreign, were competing. The competition order of most to least offenses) by Ja- December 2006. was halted after the accident. (AFP) maicans, Irish nationals, Somalians and The majority of offenses are concerned Romanians, accused of having committed with loud behavior, store thefts and drunk Two Germans probed over over 1,000 crimes. driving. “More serious crimes also occur, Poland, Ireland, Romania, Lithuania, but this makes up a minority of offenses,” World War II massacre France, Portugal and Italy are the seven informed Consul Mazurka. “Poles are not Two elderly Germans could face mur- EU member states with unrestricted travel associated with delinquency here. They der charges over the massacre of 63 Czech to Britain, a point noted on a list of 20 are taken rather as hard workers who are civilians in the small Czech town of Velke nationalities responsible for the highest earning money honestly.” The Daily Mail reported that foreign citizens commit more than one out of five crimes in London. Mezirici at the end of World War II, pros- ecutors in Stuttgart said late last week. “The massacre took place on May 6 and 7, 1945 at the end of the war. Residents of the town were apparently executed,” Bettina Vetter, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office in the southern city, told AFP. Studies show sex still important “We are currently investigating charges of murder.” Vetter said the investigation began in early 2006 after Czech authorities called for judicial assistance in the case, asking that the two suspects – both 78 – be questioned for many Poles over age of 50 in Germany. “They were questioned last year. One of the krakow post comfort of sexual activity without fear of them denied everything. The other one ad- pregnancy. The majority doesn’t use erotic mitted that he was there but denied having According to a TNS OBOP survey, sex films, web sites or striptease to improve shot at anybody. He said he was told to make doesn’t stop when people turn 50 or older their sex life, nor by using erotic gadgets sure that nobody fled,” she said. and remains an important part of older adult or vibrators. Of course passions cool as The second suspect also admitted that he life, reported Gazeta Wyborcza daily. people get older, but a declining interest in was a member of the Hitler Youth. The research can dispel commonly held sex can’t be attributed to age alone. Stress, Vetter said the German investigation was notions that people lose interest in sex as tiredness, anxiety and health problems are continuing. The two suspects are not being they age and that sex belongs solely to the the main causes in declined sexual activity. held in custody. young. Frequently, men and women main- About one third of men over 50 admit to She said prosecutors in Stuttgart have tain a satisfying sex life as they get older. impotency. In many cases, they don’t look since asked Czech authorities to in turn as- Seventy-three percent of Poles over the to professional medical help to resolve this sist them with the case and allow them ac- age of 50 agree that sexual activity can be problem as about 72 percent believe it’s a cess to documents about the massacre. a source of positive and valuable experi- natural consequence of aging. Meanwhile, Velke Mezirici is a town of 12,000 inhab- ences. This opinion differs between differ- such problems are in fact often curable. itants in the south of the Czech Republic. It ent age groups – researchers said 84 percent Forty-two percent of men fear their impo- has a synagogue as well as a Jewish cem- of people between the ages 50 and 59 ap- tency will result in breaking their relation- etery dating from the 16th Century. (AFP) proved this statement versus about 58 per- ships. The survey indicates that a sex life is cent among those over age 70. much more important for men than women. Slovak dissident writer Hana Even if the majority of older adults agree About 60 percent of men versus 35 percent Ponicka dies early this week that making love is an important part of of women declare that sexual activity plays one’s life, 43 percent (no small number) a significant role in their life. Sexually ac- Hana Ponicka, a dissident Slovak writer admit that sex isn’t particularly important tive men achieve orgasm more often than who published clandestinely under her in their own. At the same time 20 percent women do; about 30 percent of men versus country’s former Communist regime and declared having had sexual contact with about 12 percent of women orgasm during was persecuted for supporting human rights, a partner the preceding week. Generally, sexual intercourse. Men are also more active has died, Slovak media said early this week. Poles over 50 are happy in their relation- initiators of sexual relationships. Ponicka, who was once even tipped to ships. Over 65 percent live with a spouse or A remarkable difference appears among become Czechoslovak president, died on permanent partner. Among them, more than people from different social classes. People Tuesday aged 85 in the central town of Ban- half admit that they would have chosen the with university degrees enjoy more active ska Bystrica, they said. same partner if they were to choose again. sex life. About 42 percent admit that sex can Ponicka’s books for children and adults Two thirds admit having warm and affec- be a source of real joy while only 14 percent were published secretly under the Commu- tionate relationships, with feelings of mu- of those with an elementary education agree nist regime which seized power in 1948. She tual understanding. Aging is one of many with this statement. In addition, well-edu- was persecuted after supporting the Charter natural changes, which can affect intimacy cated people take better care of their physi- 77 call for the respect of human rights co- and closeness. The report said that such feel- cal and sexual wellbeing. The quality of sex authored by Vaclav Havel, the former play- ings are crucial to feeling younger and elim- life has also a lot to do with attitudes towards wright dissent who become president of inating loneliness in the majority of sexually religion. More religious people have stricter former Czechoslovakia and the Czech Re- active older adults in Poland. Maybe that’s attitudes toward sexual activity. public after the overthrow of the pro-Soviet why more than a half of them consider ro- The idea of sex problems and older peo- regime in 1989. mantic kisses to be the most pleasant part ple has been taboo for a long time. Older At the time of the so-called “Velvet Revo- of sexual intercourse and the best beginning people often felt embarrassed of their sexual lution,” Ponicka was mentioned as a possi- to making love. According to the report desires. Meanwhile, an active sex life is im- ble president of the newly liberated country Poles enjoy making love in a comfortable portant for everyone regardless of age or before the post was filled by Havel. atmosphere, during the weekend or in the gender. Slowly, these psychological self-im- She was born in 1921 in the central Slo- Seventy-three percent of Poles over the age of 50 agree that sexual activity can be a evenings. Sixty-five percent appreciate the posed limitations are being overcome. vak town of Halic. (AFP) source of positive and valuable experiences. AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 POLAND The Krakow Post 3 Dell sends 400 Poles for training to Limerick Danuta Filipowicz Lodz initially. In the next three years the STAFF JOURNALIST number will grow to 3,000. The Round Rock, Texas-based company Four hundred Poles who will begin is putting 200 mln euro into the factory. working in November at a new Dell Com- Companies that are expected to work with puter factory in Lodz have begun training Dell will invest an estimated 53 mln euro in at Dell’s factory in Limerick, Ireland. the Lodz area, analysts say. The trainees are from a number of de- Lodz will be the most modern Dell fac- partments, including the production line, tory in the world. The company will sell its quality and material control and admin- products and services worldwide. istration, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) Entrepreneur Michael Dell founded the reported. When it announced the opening company in 1984. of the plant a year ago, Dell said it needed It has had enormous success with a more capacity to meet growing demand simple formula: selling computers directly for its products worldwide and it wanted a to customers rather than using middle men base from which to expand into Central and such as retailers. Selling direct means Dell Eastern Europe. can charge less for its products. Dell’s decision to locate a facility in Dell has a regional headquarters in Lodz also is aimed at taking advantage of Bracknell, England, for Europe and the lower labor costs, property costs and pro- Middle East. duction costs in Poland. Its Pacific Rim headquarters in Singa- The country also has a well-educated pore serves Japan, India, China, Australia, work force, analysts say. New Zealand and other countries. The factory will produce mainly note- Texas-based Dell Americas serves the book computers such as Latitude and In- U.S., Canada, South America and Central spiron. America. Lodz, in central Poland, is one of the The company manufactures computers country’s most attractive investment loca- in seven locations: Austin, Texas; Nash- tions. It is a large, rapidly developing in- ville, Tenn.; Winston-Salem, North Caro- dustrial, economic, administrative and edu- lina; Eldorado do Sul and Hortolandia, cational center. Brazil; Limerick; Penang, Malaysia, and Dell will hire about 1,000 workers in Xiamen, China. Dell will hire about 1,000 workers in Lodz initially. In the next three years the number will grow to 3,000. PHOTO/Courtesy of Dell Inc. Poland most attractive Excavating the Liberator location for investment the krakow post crew members were probably buried nearby. Sopinski does not expect to find Danuta Filipowicz Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. Volunteers from Zachodniopomorskie any large portions of the plane still intact. STAFF JOURNALIST They were based on 15 factors. Province in the northwest part of Poland The Liberator probably shattered on Besides labor costs, labor supply, labor have begun excavating the crash site of a impact, and residents of the area may have Poland received the highest work-force relations and labor-climate flexibility, they World War II American bomber. The B-24 sold some of the wreckage as scrap metal. rating among 31 European countries in a re- included quality of labor, employee relations “Liberator” crashed into a field between If significant pieces of the Liberator are cent survey that looked at the cost of labor, and inflationary pressure. Every Top 5 coun- the cities of Bolewice and Przekolne. found, they will be given to museums in quality of labor and 13 try had high scores on The site was discovered by accident Szczecin and Kolobrzeg. other workforce factors. quality of labor. Britain, during installation of water and sewage At present, there are no original Lib- The Federation of Eu- The Federation of Europe- Denmark and Switzer- systems in the area. erators in Polish museum collections. The ropean Employers said land have labor shortages, an Employers said reasons The discovery sparked the interest of only large-scale model is in the Warsaw reasons for Poland’s top however. And Denmark for Poland’s top rating Gerard Sopinski, a policeman and history Uprising Museum – reconstructed from rating included low labor and Switzerland have included low labor costs, lover from neighboring Pelczyce, who remnants of a bomber attacked by Ger- costs, plentiful labor sup- high wage costs. fulfills his passion by running a museum man Luftwaffe fighter planes and shot ply, good labor relations plentiful labor supply, “Poland has the most in his city. He inspired his friends and down near Bochnia after a food drop for and a flexible labor cli- good labor relations and a competitive workers in other history buffs to “get to the bottom” insurgents of the Warsaw Uprising in mate, such as the ability Europe, when taking into flexible labor climate. of this interesting story and to dig out the 1944. to hire temporary work- account the total costs wreckage. The B-24 Liberator was a four-engine ers. In terms of labor sup- of work in comparison Before starting the excavations, the bomber and a major weapon of the Allied ply, it noted, Poland had an especially good to the quality of work,” said Dr. Pawel volunteers had to receive the permission Forces during World War II. pool of young workers and women workers. Wojciechowski, president of the Polish In- of the owner of the land and the head of It was designed and built in the U.S. Poland scored low on workers’ level of In- formation and Foreign Investment Agency. Regional Conservation Office. Excava- by the Consolidated Aircraft Company ternet skills and on workers’ lifelong learn- The government agency encourages interna- tion began a week ago, and Sopinski and produced in greater numbers than any ing opportunities. tional corporations to invest in Poland and expects to find significant remains of the other American combat aircraft during the The London-based federation, which ad- helps them deal with the necessary adminis- plane – especially its front part and the war. vises international employers operating in trative and legal procedures. engine. The excavations may also answer The Liberators had a good reputation Europe on pay, employment law and labor “We continue to have great reserves of many questions. among the airmen. “Give us more B-24s,” relations, said the other countries on its Top highly qualified staff systematically raising As the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza re- one could read on a World War II poster, 5 list included Britain, Denmark, Switzer- their levels of qualifications,” Wojciechows- ports, Sopinski believes that he can deter- referring to a victorious battle between land and Slovenia. Although established ki said. “It’s this raising of qualifications” mine the last moments of the plane and its one Liberator and 12 Japanese Zero fight- with EU funding in 1989, the federation is plus the government’s efforts to help the un- crew. The area around the crash site is to er planes, after which the B-24 returned now independent. employed “that are the best ways of fighting be excavated as well, because the plane’s safely to its base. The ratings covered 27 EU members plus against unemployment.” Model of the Liberator to be built in Krakow.
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R E G I O N A L N E W S New promo Standard and Poor’s rates Polish, UK policemen cooperate Belarus for first time campaign of Ratings service Standard and Poor’s is- sued its first long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to Belarus early this Warsaw in week, which could help the ex-Soviet state raise money to pay for Russian gas. Standard England and Poor’s gave a B+ rating for Belarus on foreign currency and BB on local currency, saying that the outlook for the former Soviet (Chepry) Barabasz cc:sa:Andrzej republic was “stable,” the ratings service said in a statement. “This will help us attract investment on much better conditions,” Belarusian Fi- nance Minister Sergei Zdanovich was quot- ed as saying by Russia’s Kommersant daily. Kommersant said the rating would help the Finance Ministry in raising funds to help King’s Castle in Warsaw. offset a sharp increase in 2007 in prices for gas imports from Russia, which raised ten- Alicja Natkaniec sions between Moscow and Minsk. (AFP) STAFF JOURNALIST Red Army veteran, 88, charged The City of Warsaw and easyJet with genocide in Estonia Airline are planning a campaign in England to promote Poland’s capital An Estonian veteran of the Soviet army city, Dziennik newspaper reports. has been charged with genocide for helping The promotion was initiated by to send hundreds of civilians to Siberia af- easyJet officials, who are eager to add ter Moscow’s 1940s takeover of the Baltic routes between Warsaw and English state, prosecutors said early this week. cities. The low-fare airline will pay Arnold Meri, a cousin of Estonia’s 1992- half of the expenses of the promo- 2001 president Lennart Meri, is accused of tional campaign. In about a month, taking part in one episode of Moscow’s the campaign will begin with adver- campaign to deport thousands of locals as tisements on the easyJet web site en- it cemented its hold on the Baltic state at couraging Brits to visit Warsaw. the end of World War II, officials at the na- The next stage of the campaign tional prosecutor’s department said. will feature ads in three English cit- Meri, 88, was a member of a Red Army ies – London, Bristol and Luton – in unit which rounded up 251 people on Hii- daily and weekly newspapers and the umaa Island, off Estonia’s west coast, on London subway. The ads will promote March 25, 1949. Warsaw as an interesting cultural cen- “It’s true that I took part of the depor- ter with many historic sites worth vis- tation action at Hiiumaa, but I am being British immigration officials estimate that 40 percent of all Poles and other Eastern European immigrants coming to Britain settle in London. iting. Entertainment in Warsaw will wrongly accused,” Meri was quoted as say- not be emphasized. ing in the Eesti Paevaleht newspaper. Danuta Filipowicz crimes are affecting the immigrants. The requirement has its down side, but Warsaw officials say the Polish “I was sent to the island to ensure that STAFF JOURNALIST They will also help London police try it allows police to “check the credibility capital currently is not visible enough all actions would be carried out according to solve crimes involving immigrants, ac- of the person who wants to join us,” said in English tourism offerings. They to that era’s Soviet laws.” Two Polish police officers will help Lon- cording to the Polish Express, the biggest Kasia Kaldowski, a worker at the national expect that the campaign will attract The operation was part of a nationwide don police work on crime issues related to Polish-language weekly in the UK. police headquarters, Scotland Yard. about 200,000 British tourists annu- drive which saw more than 20,000 Esto- the growing immigrant-Polish community The officers may also help police in oth- Police have thought about changing the ally. Promotional campaigns co-orga- nians arrested in a single night and shipped in the British capital. er cities with sizable Polish communities, requirement but Kaldowski doesn’t think nized by airlines have had a remark- by cattle wagon to Siberia, where they were Officers Pawel Wojtunik and Konrad the newspaper said. that will come anytime soon. able effect in Krakow, which is the dumped in local villages or prison camps. Byczek of the national police in Warsaw Captain Sabastian Serwiak of the Na- Polish police say working with police in most popular city among the Brits at Some 3,000 deportees died, while the will be in London six months. tional Police in Warsaw has been helping the UK has given them a new perspective the moment. Other Polish cities like survivors were only able to start trickling Detective Superintendent Jonathan Tott- national police in Northern Ireland with on the job. Gdansk and Wroclaw are also pro- home following a Kremlin thaw after the man of the London Metropolitan Police crimes affecting Polish immigrants. They have noticed, for example, that moted widely in UK. death of Stalin in 1953. took the initiative to bring them to Lon- Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde took the British police react much quicker to prob- Similar Soviet deportation campaigns don. After Poland’s National Police Office initiative to bring Serwiak to Belfast. He lems that surface – such as crime among took place in Estonia’s fellow Baltic states agreed to the officers’ visit, Tottman visited has been there since February 7. new immigrant groups – than police in of Latvia and Lithuania. All were a repeat Warsaw in May to meet them. Serwiak helps local police with cases in- Poland. of a drive which had followed Moscow’s Tottman is head of policing in Lambeth volving Polish immigrants. He also meets Britain has a well-developed police sys- Gov’t speeds up Euro first takeover of the region under a 1939 South, a district with a mixed international monthly with leaders of the Polish com- tem, Polish police say. pact with Nazi Germany, and which was community. munity. And he visits schools to speak to In Poland, it’s not so much a system as meant to crush opposition – both real and When he noticed the burgeoning immi- immigrant children. it is individual officers trying to do what’s 2012 preparations imagined – to Soviet rule. grant-Polish population in his district, he When a fire broke out at the home of right. Poland needs a more organized, sys- German troops drove out the Soviet decided to take a number of steps to bet- Polish immigrants in North Belfast, Serwi- tematic approach, is the officers’ impli- army after Hitler and Stalin’s alliance fell ter serve them. The Warsaw officers’ visit ak stepped in to help, including serving as cation. In the UK, the police works as a apart in 1941, but Moscow’s forces re- is one. a liaison between the immigrants and their system, in Poland all we have is human po- Agency LUK turned at the end of the war after defeating British immigration officials estimate relatives in Poland. tential and a lot of good wishes and efforts. the occupying Nazis. that 40 percent of all Poles and other East- London police hope to hire ethnic-Polish Due to these we can compensate existing Baltic states only regained their inde- ern European immigrants coming to Brit- officers in the next few years. gaps. The Polish community in particular pendence in 1991 after the Soviet Union ain settle in London. An obstacle to bringing them on now is is growing rapidly in the UK. collapsed, and then began legal moves to Wojtunik and Byczek will work with the a requirement that an immigrant must have The appointment of Polish officers is punish participants in the Red Army’s op- Polish community to give London police lived in Britain three years before he is eli- only one of a number of suggestions under erations. (AFP) a better understanding of what kinds of gible for a police job. consideration. Latvian unemployment drops to 6.0 percent in 2Q: data Latvia’s unemployment rate stood at 6.0 Controversial poster of Erika Steinbach agence france-presse percent at the end of the second quarter of the krakow post this year, 1.2 percentage points lower than um-memorial documenting the fate of the The Polish government early this week the same period in 2006, the Baltic state’s expelled Germans. approved a new bill to help speed up prepa- A poster showing a conservative Ger- statistics bureau said early this week. Referring to the expellees as “victims,” rations for the 2012 European football man member of parliament alongside a At the end of June, 70,500 economi- Steinbach proposes a Center Against Ex- championships to be co-hosted by the coun- Nazi officer has escalated the conflict be- cally active individuals were out of work pulsions in Berlin, preferably close to the try with Ukraine. It is hoped that the new tween Poles and the ethnic Germans who in the Baltic country, which joined the EU Holocaust memorial. law will help cut through administrative red once lived in what is now Polish territory. in 2004 and has a population of 2.3 million. Also for seven years, some Poles have tape and speed up the construction of four The Polish Press Agency (PAP) reports The rate of joblessness had also fallen from been campaigning against such a memo- new stadiums in Poland in Warsaw, Poznan, that the Polish Trustees, an organization the end of the first quarter, when it stood at rial, arguing that the project seeks to turn Wroclaw and Gdansk. opposed to compensating Germans ex- 6.9 percent, the bureau’s figures showed. occupiers into victims and vice-versa. “This law is of such importance that we pelled from eastern Europe after the defeat Latvia’s national labor agency, which According to estimates, 13 to 16 mln have to either adopt and apply it or honestly of Nazi Germany during World War II, collects data on people who officially reg- ethnic Germans were expelled from Nazi- say that the task is unachievable,” Prime placed an illustration of Erika Steinbach, ister as unemployed, earlier this week re- surrendered territories after the war, mainly Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski told the press. head the German Union of Expellees, on leased a slightly lower rate of joblessness from western Poland. “We believe it is workable and for this the poster alongside a World War II Nazi of 5.7 percent. The latest incidents have done nothing reason we have approved this law,” he add- officer and what appears to be a Teutonic The agency also highlighted the persis- to help Polish-German relations, and some ed, in reply to criticism of delays in prepara- Knight. tent, stark regional differences in Latvia’s worry about a return to the historic German tions for the European competition. The poster was created to counter the ac- unemployment picture. and Polish stereotypes of past confronta- Sports Minister Elzbieta Jakubiak stressed tivities of the German Union of Expellees Levels of joblessness remain highest in tions. that the four stadiums must be built by 2011 and the Prussian Trustees. the eastern region of Latvia, near the bor- Germans have threatened to sue the Pol- at the latest. The new law should in particu- Specifically, this poster protests the cel- der with Russia, where 19.1 percent of the ish Trustees for slander in connection with lar help simplify tender procedures and find ebrations organized August 18 by German economically active population were out of the poster. A poster showing a conservative German funding to finance the building of roads and expellees commemorating their homelands work at the end of June. Dorota Arciszewska, the head of the member of parliament alongside a Nazi other infrastructure, she added. prior to World War II on what is now Polish In the capital, Riga, the rate was 3.4 per- Polish Trustees, said no law was broken officer has escalated the conflict between To become effective the bill must be ad- territory. For seven years, Erika Steinbach cent, the agency said. (AFP) and the organization was simply exercising Poles and the ethnic Germans who once opted by parliament and ratified by the head has been lobbying for a permanent muse- its right to freedom of expression. lived in what is now Polish territory. of state. AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 POLAND The Krakow Post 5 First Polish private school in UK opens doors to certified Empik invades Polish education in London Poland’s neighbors cc:sa:Sicherlich
Empik looks to expand to Ukraine.
Michal Wojtas leader in non-food consumer brands on STAFF JOURNALIST the Polish market. Eastbridge has ac- quired rights to distribute some of the In 1991, when the EMPiK company world’s recognizable lifestyle brands like was created, probably no one would Chanel, Shiseido, Dior, Zara, Hugo Boss have predicted that it would soon turn and Mexx. As this kind of market grew into a brand known almost everywhere in the late 90s, so did the distributor. In in Poland. 2004 Eastbridge owners decided to be- Today the EMPiK chain consists of come a part of EM&F (EMPik Media & more than 80 shops and, according to Fashion) group. company owners, will continue to ex- Eastbridge then merged with NFI Het- pand both in Poland and abroad. EMPiK man, a mutual fund established in 1995, shops sell newspapers, music, books and and received funds needed to expand. In cosmetics, and the chain also owns lan- March 2006, Smyk, an EM&F-owned guage schools. The company inherited its children‘s goods retailer, opened its first name from KMPiK (International Book shop in Germany. Soon the brand started and Press Club), which during the Com- operations in the Ukraine, where it also munist era was for many Poles the only bought a network of bookstores called source of independent information about Bukva. the outside world. The bookstores are being converted After Poland’s economic system sud- into EMPiKs with a major change in their The Academy of Humanities and Economics of Lodz (above) has set up a branch in the UK. denly switched from central planning into store format. This is only the beginning a market economy, EMPiK was created of EMPiK’s expansion. Alicja Natkaniec remain permanently in England, because the language skills to study in English. In addi- as a joint venture between the govern- In addition to the new shops abroad, STAFF JOURNALIST majority of them are Poles working in Brit- tion, the majority of Poles find that educa- ment-appointed owner of the clubs and about 80 new locations are planned in ish universities. tion in England is too expensive. two businessmen. The two multiplied Poland in 2008 and at least as many in Polish shops, clubs, newspapers, products The Polish Virtual University is signifi- their investments in just three years, and 2009. And if everything goes as planned and business are all over England. And now cantly cheaper than British colleges. The in 1994 EMPiK was sold to the Dutch for EM&F, Poland will soon have its a Polish university has come to London, the As many as 750,000 students will develop their professional company Eastbridge. first internationally recognized chain of first in history. The Academy of Humanities Poles aged 18 to 35 skills to increase the opportunity for better In a decade Eastbridge has become a shops. and Economics of Lodz has set up a branch jobs. Together with a degree, students will in the UK. are estimated to be receive a Diploma Supplement Label, which The school has begun operations with working in England. is intended to give the degree acceptance not an Information and Admission Desk in a Last year more than only in Poland but also abroad. Poland holding room rented from the Phoenix High School 1,500 Polish students The Polish Virtual University can also in Shepherd’s Bush, west London. Young provide a higher degree for young people Taliban commander Poles living in England can choose from were accepted by who decided to break off their studies in five faculties: management, educational sci- British universities, Poland and move to England. They will agence france-presse ence, political science, nursing and informa- be able to finish their education as the Vir- tion technology. Undergraduate and masters as 50 percent rise tual University recognizes previous exams Polish troops are holding a Taliban com- courses started in October. All the courses since 2005. taken in Poland. The Polish Virtual Univer- mander known as “Puma” who the radical AGENCJA NIERUCHOMOŚCI will be conducted via the Internet in a Polish sity quickly stirred considerable interest in Islamist militia has demanded released in www.property-krakow.com Virtual University, one of the projects run by London. The number of young Poles willing exchange for 19 South Korean hostages, a the Academy of Lodz. As many as 750,000 Poles aged 18 to 35 to sign up for next year’s courses surpassed report said late last week. Defense Minister Twice a year the students will have to are estimated to be working in England. Last the expectations of university officials. Aleksander Szczyglo was cited by the PAP visit Poland to pass their exams in Lodz. If year more than 1,500 Polish students were About 150 are already signed up. The uni- news agency as saying Polish troops serv- they need additional information or help, accepted by British universities, a 50 per- versity has also attracted British media at- ing with NATO-led forces had captured they can meet with the university faculty or cent rise since 2005. But for a great number tention. The information about the school the commander on August 16 in eastern use the computers and training materials at of Poles, studying in England is still unat- has appeared in the Times newspaper, BBC Afghanistan. He said Puma was the fourth Phoenix High School. The academics will tainable. They often do not have sufficient and London information outlets. most-wanted militant in Afghanistan.
NOCLEGI W APARTAMENTACH www.aaakrakow.com
CALL IN AND SEE US! ul. Napoleona Cybulskiego 2 6 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 Bison has new packaging for int’l markets Danuta Filipowicz manufacturer, as in the past. jumped as more Western and Japanese STAFF JOURNALIST Bison Grass has become recognized consumers developed a taste for it. worldwide in the decade and a half since The company is upgrading its web Bison Grass Vodka, a hit in Western the disintegration of the Soviet Union. site, www.zubrowka.com, to attract European countries and Japan, has be- It has a rye base but gets its unusual more international customers. gun appearing outside Poland in the new flavor from the “sweet grass” of Bialow- A Warsaw based web-design compa- packaging the company adopted for the ieza Forest. ny, OS3 Multimedia, is directing the site domestic market. The forest, about 190 kilometers toward potential U.S. consumers. The aim is to create a larger export northeast of Warsaw, is pristine. In fact, “Zubrowka is exceptional vodka,” market for Zubrowka, as it is called in it’s so untouched that it’s part of the for- said Marcin Maj, OS3 multimedia man- Poland. ested areas that collectively are known aging director. In addition to the new packaging, the as The Green Lungs of Poland. “For this reason, we decided that its company is revamping its web site to Polmos Bialystok, the company that Internet relaunch will not only be excep- try to gain a foothold in the U.S., where makes Bison Grass on contract for the tional but also innovative.” sales have been minimal. Central European Distribution Corpo- Visitors to the web site enter a vir- The new packaging hit Polish store ration, adds 1 or 2 kilograms of sweet tual world where they learn about the shelves in April. grass per thousand liters of vodka. Zubrowka tradition, the role the Bialo- The brand’s owner, the Warsaw- It completes the mixing process by wieza Forest plays in its taste and what based Central European Distribution putting a long blade of the grass in each the forest has meant to Poland. Corporation, decided it would be good bottle. The site includes recipes for a range for the export market, too, because it The grass is the reason for the vod- of the most popular drinks that can be underscores the product’s unique char- ka’s sweet herbal taste, pleasant aroma made from Bison Grass. acter, Polish roots and premium vodka and greenish-yellow color. Silhouettes of people of various na- position, Zubrowka, which is 40 percent alco- tionalities and ethnicities underscore The old label had an old-fashioned hol, dates to the 8th Century. Experts the multicultural makeup of the vodka’s look and did not communicate any at- believe it probably evolved by accident consumers. tributes of the product to customers. The when someone combined alcohol with Bison Grass is one of the leading pre- new label has a modern look. It’s also medicinal herbs. mium brands in Great Britain, France designed so that when light goes through Since the 16th Century it has been and Japan. Sales are also rising in Ire- the bottle it looks as if the sun is shining manufactured in Bialystok, near the Be- land, Belgium and Spain. Zubrowka is across the trees and the pasturing bison larus border, which is the largest city in also exported to Australia, Canada and on the label. northeastern Poland. Mexico. Polmos Bialystok, the company that makes Bison Grass on contract for the Central In addition to a new label, the bottle During Communist times Zubrowka Zubrowka can be taken straight, with European Distribution Corporation, adds 1 or 2 kilograms of sweet grass per thou- has a new cap and carries the Zubrowka was a luxury Polish export product. ice or mixed with ginger ale, apple juice sand liters of vodka. name, as opposed to the name of the In the post-Cold War era sales have or other soft drinks or juices. Warsaw airport may be air transfer center of Eastern Europe
the krakow post with LOT flying from the Emirates to Po- land. Emirates currently flies to Dubai from Okecie airport in Warsaw may be the air four German airports. LOT already cooper- change center in this part of Europe. ates with Emirates and flies passengers to Warsaw-Beijing and Warsaw-Dubai are Germany for the connecting flights. new flight routes from Poland. Okecie air- A direct flight from Warsaw would be port in Warsaw may be on its way to becom- about four hours shorter and a few hundred ing a major international hub. LOT Polish Polish zloty cheaper than the one connect- Airlines, the national airline based in War- ing through Frankfurt, Germany. According saw, has announced that it will open a new to the newspaper Rzeczpospolita, a ticket route next year to Beijing, China. And it from Warsaw to Dubai currently costs hopes to do the same to Dubai in the United 1,500 zloty (less than 400 euro). The War- Arab Emirates, the daily newspaper Rzecz- saw-Dubai service, however, is not going pospolita reported. Tickets sales to Beijing to compete heavily for the lowest fares. have already started, the newspaper said, The emphasis will be on promoting more with LOT scheduled to make three flights a expensive business class fares. Passengers week beginning in March. The Dubai flight also will be enticed by a special promo- is still in the planning stages and is being tion for hotel accommodations in Dubai. negotiated with Emirates Airline. Emirates Economy passengers can expect at least 20 Airline, based in Dubai, operates about percent fare discount, while business pas- 2,640 flights each week, serving 87 cities sengers will have transportation between in 59 countries in Europe, North America, the airport and hotels included in the price Middle East, Africa, India, Asia-Pacific of the ticket. and the “kangaroo route” between Europe If Germany and the Emirates inaugurate and Oceania. Chief executives of LOT and a new flight from Berlin, the Warsaw con- Emirates will meet next month to discuss nection could be delayed. But that may be an air connection. unlikely as it would pose new competition Emirates may fly from Warsaw to Dubai, for Lufthansa, the German flag carrier. cc:sa:Foma
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 Okecie airport in Warsaw. AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 7 Treating children with K-9 love Alicja Natkaniec the doctors ensure that there is no epidemic STAFF JOURNALIST danger because of rigorous health require- ments for therapy dogs. They are examined Kids from the St. Ludwig Children’s thoroughly and vaccinated before entering Hospital in Krakow were recently provided the hospital ward. Every dog is trained by with dog therapy in an initiative organized professionals. It has to get along well with by Warsaw Foundation, Cze-Ne-Ka. children, be friendly, patient, gentle, confi- The children were absolutely delighted dent and at ease in all situations. and the medical staff a little bit nervous. But It must enjoy human contact and be after the session they all content to be handled, came to the conclusion The children were absolutely sometimes clumsily. In that dog companionship comparison with Western can have very positive delighted and the medical Europe and North Ameri- therapeutic effects. The staff a little bit nervous. But ca, dog therapy is still not therapy dogs are believed after the session they very common in Poland, to relieve stress, lower all came to the conclusion even though its benefits blood pressure, and raise that dog companionship have been known here spirits of young patients. can have very positive since 1987. There are only For children with psycho- therapeutic effects. about 100 therapy dogs in logical disabilities, the Poland. The Cze-Ne-Ka dogs are helpful in over- Foundation would like to coming speech and emotional disorders. expand the therapy from Warsaw to smaller The animals can bring a child into closer health centers. The concept of a therapy dog contact with the outside world and improve is often attributed to an American Elaine the relations with medical staff. St. Ludwig Smith. In 1976 she started a program for Children’s Hospital is the first in Krakow to training dogs to visit hospitals, retirement incorporate dog therapy into medical treat- homes, nursing homes, mental institutions ment. Its doctors believe that it can be espe- and schools and to help people with special cially helpful in the rehabilitation, psychiat- needs. Since then, the worldwide demand ric and neurological wards. for therapy dogs continues to grow. The animals’ presence in the hospital has The visit was organized by the “Let’s Help In comparison with the Western European countries and North America, dog therapy is still not very common in Poland, even created some concerns about hygiene. But Together” (“Pomozmy Razem”) program. though its benefits have been known here since 1987.
Former Czech Bio: Vaclav Havel Born: October 5, 1936 Prague, Czechoslovakia president visits city to Political party: Civic Forum Spouse: Olga Šplíchalová, Dagmar Veškrnová promote latest book Profession: Politician, Writer the krakow post at 13:00. At 17:00, a discussion panel is 1st President of the Czech Republic scheduled with Havel; Adam Michnik, edi- In office: An exceptional personality will be the tor-in-chief of Poland’s second biggest dai- February 2, 1993-February 2, 2003 guest of Krakow on Monday, September 3. ly newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza; Kazimierz Succeeded by: Vaclav Havel, writer, anti-Communist Kutz, noted film director and senator, and Václav Klaus dissident and politician, will meet read- jazz pianist Andrzej Jagodzinski. ers as Znak publish- The panel will convene ing house releases his in the PWST building at first book in 15 years. In connection with Havel’s ul. Straszewskiego 21 and “Briefly, Please” is a visit, a concert by Plastic is open to the public. combination of Havel’s People of the Universe is In connection with memoirs from his terms on the agenda. The famous Havel’s visit, a concert by JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY as the last president of Plastic People of the Uni- Prague underground band Polish for Foreigners Czechoslovakia (1989- verse is on the agenda. New Courses, Low Prices!!! 1992) and the first will play at 20:00 in the Znak The famous Prague un- president of the Czech garden at ul. Kosciuszki 37. derground band will play The biggest and oldest School of Polish Republic (1993-2003). at 20:00 in the Znak gar- Language and Culture invites you to its The book also in- den at ul. Kosciuszki 37. latest program: cludes several topics from his personal life On Friday at 17:00, an exhibition devot- “Autumn with the Polish Language and general thoughts about the world of ed to Charter 77, an opposition movement by the Wawel Castle in Krakow” today. This book is also partially a follow- which led to the 1989 “Velvet Revolution” up to a book-length interview (“Disturbing that ended communism in Czechoslovakia, - Two-week Polish-language courses the Peace”) that Karel Hvizdala conducted will be opened in the PWST building. (50 hours of instruction) - Two sessions (first and second half of with Havel almost 20 years ago. It will be accompanied by a documen- On September 3, Havel, who celebrat- September) tary film about Plastic People of the Uni- - Different levels of proficiency ed his 70th birthday last year, will attend verse, whose members were imprisoned by - Small groups Vaclav Havel, writer, anti-Communist dissident and politician. a press conference at the Wawel Castle the Communists. - Experienced teachers - Latest teaching methods - University diploma at the end of the course Download the Information: www.uj.edu.pl/SL [email protected] PDF edition of Tel.: +48 (0) 12 421 36 95
The Krakow Post EPE Translations English - Polish - English online! Agency providing translation services for companies working www.krakowpost.com in multicultural environment as well as for private individuals. Deliver standard, technical and sworn translations at competitive prices. Also provide interpreters located in Ireland, UK and Poland.
Check out www.epetranslations.com tel: (0048) (0) 12 4212300 8 The Krakow Post KRAKOW AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 New and old films about Nowa Huta Germany saga continues... in Sfinks Cinema Michal Wojtas Staff JOURNALIST LUK Agency LUK If you are a fan of the Socialist-Realism District of Krakow, you definitely have to take part in the fourth edition of the Nowa Huta Film Marathon that will be presented in the Sfinks Cinema at Osiedle Gorali this Friday and Saturday. This small-scale film festival features short films devoted to Nowa Huta as well as several episodes of Nowa Huta news- reels produced since 2004 and presenting people and events in the district. Nowa Huta (the New Steel Mill) was the Communist vision of a working-class industrial city, built on the eastern edge of Krakow in 1949. Poland’s largest steel mill was construct- ed in Nowa Huta in 1954. In the 1980s, the area became center [for steelworkers’ Solidarity demonstrations against the government. Since the fall of communism, the city that was once a show- place for Stalinism now boasts many trib- utes to anti-Communists. The small Sfinks Cinema is the youngest and the only one of three theaters in Nowa Huta that has survived. Swit and Swiatowid closed in the 1990s. Swit now houses several shops. The Film Marathon will start at 20:00 on Friday, and its first part should end shortly after midnight. The first day will feature a film about a famous statue of Lenin which once stood in the middle of the Nowa Huta district. Also scheduled the first day is a docu- mentary about enthusiasts of photography in Nowa Huta, among them the noted film director Krzysztof Zanussi, who once was a member of a local amateur film club. Satur- day evening’s film program will also begin at 20:00. Its biggest hit should be a short story of a steelworks worker so devoted to Commu- From GERMANY on Page 1 collections that the Nazis destroyed. Then Aviation Museum in Krakow. assets that were damaged if it wants resti- nist ideals of work that she hasn’t the time In 1977, Poland’s Communist leader Ed- Poland upped the ante, asking Germany Poland has asked for the return of Pol- tution of cultural property from Poland,” to take care of her children. ward Gierek gave East German Communist for compensation for all public and pri- ish art that the Nazis plundered. And it has Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said in This film was censored by Polish au- leader Erich Honecker the original manu- vate landmarks and infrastructure – roads, raised the broader question of compensa- reaction to the article. thorities in the ’50s. A complete schedule scripts of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” his bridges and sewer systems – that the Nazis tion for “cultural losses” the Nazis inflicted Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga of the festival is now available online at: Mass in C-minor, the “Jupiter Symphony” had destroyed. on Poland. was less diplomatic. She said in a radio www.kinosfinks.pl. and Bach’s Concerto in C-minor. Honecker In the late 1990s, when he was mayor of Polish officials said the article in the interview that “It is Poland that has claims Last year, the festival was organized on gave Gierek a priceless portrait of King Jan Warsaw, Lech Kaczynski – now Poland’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany’s toward Germany. Germany can hope for an pl. Centralny, the main square of Nowa III Sobieski, one of Poland’s most notable president – set up a commission to deter- most influential newspaper, had a hard edge accommodation from us but certainly not in Huta, and more than 3,000 people attended. 17th Century monarchs. After East and mine a compensation figure just for War- to it that isn’t helping the situation. At one such an atmosphere and not by questioning Even though the fourth Film Marathon will West Germany were reunited in 1990, Ger- saw. The commission put the figure at $45.3 point the article accused Poland of a flat-out the post-war order.” be smaller, its organizers say they are here many began negotiating with Poland for the bln. refusal to talk about returning the Prussian Poland “legally took custody of the Prus- to stay. return of the Prussian collection. The German government not only wants Library collection. sian Library items, which the Germans Next year’s fifth edition will be a special However, the negotiations became com- the Prussian State Library collection re- “Germany should return the cultural had left unattended” while fleeing the Red festival, celebrating the 50th anniversary plicated when Poland raised the issue of turned, but also 25 historic airplanes in the property seized in Poland during World Army, noted Foreign Ministry spokesman of the Sfinks cinema and the Nowa Huta German compensation for the Polish library Hermann Göering Collection at the Polish War II and should pay compensation for the Robert Szaniawski. Amateur Film Club. Keeping tourists safe and sober Grazyna Zawada as well as public drinking, is forbidden in Staff JOURNALIST Krakow. “The leaflet won’t offend anyone spe- The Krakow Municipality spent 50,000 cifically,” says Marcin Helbin, the mayor’s zloty on information leaflets for a safe and spokesman. “It was aimed towards the pleasurable stay in Kra- people who think Krakow kow. The leaflet contains is a barbaric city. It’s not; all types of crucial data, Foreigners are warned hence the information. e.g. tourist information against walking along Our campaign results addresses, places provid- streets alone at night, from being concerned ing medical help and em- changing money in un- with tourists’ wellbeing bassies. The most space, certain exchange points and enjoying a positive however, was dedicated atmosphere.” to safety. and leaving valuable The leaflet’s inclusive Foreigners are warned possessions in cars. information was devel- against walking along oped by Municipality streets alone at night in Tourism, Promotion and Krakow, changing money at uncertain ex- Press Offices together with police and mu- change points and leaving valuable posses- nicipal guards. After some time, it will be sions in cars. assessed how useful the leaflets turn out It also suggests not giving money to for tourists. Depending on results, possible children selling things or performing for content changes are viable. The leaflets are money. being distributed now in over 100 hotels The final paragraphs of the leaflet em- and hostels around Krakow, at the Balice The leaflet contains all types of crucial data, e.g. tourist information addresses, places phasize that loud and obscene behavior, airport and at tourist information centers. providing medical help and embassies. The most space, however, was dedicated to safety. AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 9 Bingo and Wawel Castle safe from terrorism and vandalism gambling Grazyna Zawada leave their belongings in a free locker STAFF JOURNALIST around Wawel Hill. So far, swift entrance checks have ensured that lines remain Wawel Hill has joined world-renowned shorter. museums like the Louvre, the Musee “Tourists don’t have anything against be- d’Orsay and the Tower of London in secu- ing checked,” said one of the guards. “They rity consciousness. Now, tourists entering understand that this is how it has to be. For on Grodzka the castle have to cross a metal detector now, we haven’t found anything dangerous gate and have their personal belongings among personal possessions. Well, maybe X-rayed. two or three tourists had pocket knives. But The gates are installed at the Berecci these have to be deposited, too.” entrance (western wall of the castle) to This year, at least 500,000 visitors have prevent people from bringing in firearms already come to Wawel Castle. Last year it and sharp or potentially dangerous objects, received around 1 mln tourists. The need such as baseball bats, explosives, and flam- for security is obvious, for both the castle mable or toxic substances. and the visitors themselves. “Museums and objects of national histor- Though now quite safe, before a moni- ical value, like Wawel, are now in jeopardy toring system was installed in 2001 pick- of terrorism or vandalism. The control gate pockets used to roam Wawel Hill. The system will minimize this threat, enabling museum staff unanimously agrees that the everyone to enjoy the beautiful architecture very sight of the gates is enough to keep and art in peace,” comments Przemyslaw people from mischief. Nowogorski, assistant director of the Min- “I hope that we’ll never face a situation istry of Culture and National Heritage. when the gates prove to be an essential To diminish inconveniences and poten- means of security rather than a standard tial crowds, the ticket offices and tourist measure of precaution,” said Jan Ostrows- center will open earlier. Visitors can also ki, the castle director.
After a two-year break, Bingo Poland re-opens club on ul. Grodzka 43.
Grazyna Zawada Town area. The Old Town city district Staff JOURNALIST council opposes the idea of a gambling institution, saying it is unsuitable for the Bingo Poland first opened on ul. Zwie- Royal Road and that it would turn the RUGBY rzyniecka in 1994. Later it moved to ul. peaceful area into a gambling market. Krolewska, where it operated until 2005. Councilors voting in favor of the club This newest bingo spot, however, is the argued that the salon could revive the cen- classiest yet. ter. As gambling is legal, they added, the A 400-square-meter game room is com- club shouldn’t be forbidden to conduct a plemented by a cloakroom and toilets, all business. WORLD refurbished in old-fashioned elegance. Krakowians are in favor of the busi- “This place has 15 years of tradition,” ness, hoping it might revive ul. Grodzka says Mariusz Stochnialek, the club’s di- and that club profits could help repair the rector. “We play bingo according to the street’s stone pavement. highest class.” The salon barely opened a week ago, The management is fond of its frequent August 22, and building tenants are al- CUP’07 customers and expects more visitors in ready complaining. Since the club is open the fall and winter. 16:00 to 03:00, tenants aren’t likely to get “This is a peaceful place, people come much sleep. here to relax and entertain. Drunken tour- “The noise coming from that place is ists usually avoid these types of locals,” annoying,” complained Mrs. Myrtynska emphasizes Stochnialek. from flat four. “The only thing we can do, September The bingo salon opening did raise con- however, is call the police in case it gets troversial questions of whether this was too loud. Because it’s private property an appropriate establishment for the Old there’s nothing we can do.” - October
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For reservations or further information visit us: sheraton.com/krakow or call: +48 12 662 16 70, Amazing atmosphere e–mail: krakow sheraton.com Sheraton Krakow Hotel, ul. Powiśle 7, 31-101 Krakow. The place to be 10 The Krakow Post KRAKOW AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 Outstanding “Surf and Turf” cuisine Hailstorm at Krakow’s Radisson SAS Hotel damages Krakow Hailstorm of unusual magnitude passed over Krakow and Malopolska region from the southwest the night of August 23-24
Krakow after 90-kilometer-per-hour winds.
the krakow post
The storm began around 01:00 after a warm, humid air mass from the south col- lided with a cool, dry air mass from the west. Strong winds blew at 90 kilometers per hour, bringing hailstorm that destroyed trees, roofs and other exposed property. Blonia and Planty took the most damage, as they have the biggest trees in Krakow’s center. Alleys were covered with broken branches. In some places, whole trees were ripped out with the roots. The buffet is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 18:00 and 23:00. Its price is 99 zloty per person, which includes soft drinks and house wine. The fallen trees caused even more dam- age, smashing cars, breaking windows and Anna Biernat choice is still difficult. Fresh salmon, trout, sauce chef at the restaurant. “We often ex- hard to find in the whole of Europe! And the tram-tracks. A tree smashed a figure of the Staff JOURNALIST halibut, grass carp, crucian, monkfish and ti- change culinary ideas with our clients.” fantastic asparagus is, apart from here, only Holy Virgin that stood near ul. Jagiellon- ger shrimps are waiting to be prepared at the Before the main course, guests may order available in Vienna.” ska, rain soaked the walls of kings’ crypts For a long time, it was difficult for sea- client’s request. Dipped in ice cubes, they soup. Also there is a big buffet in the middle Every month the restaurant introduces and the wind blew off roofs in villages. food lovers to find something extraordinary all look very appetizing. Next to the sea- of the dining room offering salads, starters something new to the menu. For example, Repairs began the same night, but the in Krakow. And eating a good fresh fish to- food is another glass cooler with raw meat: and appetizers. These include delicious egg- in June strawberries were offered in a va- real cleaning work began that morning. gether with meat? Unthinkable! But recently beef, pork, lamb and poultry. According plants baked with sheep cheese and tomato. riety of desserts, including strawberry cake Krakow Crisis Management Center sta- that has changed. to the “surf and turf” culinary concept, the Although the theme is “surf and turf,” the and really fantastic mascarpone cheese with tistics say that in three days, it took 521 “Surf and turf” cuisine offered by the meat should be added to the seafood meal. restaurant doesn’t ignore vegetarians. They fresh strawberries. In July there were some firefighters to clear the damage (during Krakow Radisson SAS Hotel should meet The name goes back at least to the 1960s on might choose some dishes from the buffet: inventive low-calorie meals. August fea- and after the storm). About 400 trees were the expectations of even the most demand- the Atlantic coast of North America. Obvi- baked beetroots with thyme, baked jacked tures fresh wild fruits: yellow changerelle, damaged, 90 of which will have to be per- ing gourmets. Every Thursday, Friday and ously, surf refers to seafood and turf to beef potatoes, jasmine rise, baked pumpkins in raspberries and blueberries. manently removed. The rest will undergo Saturday evening the buffet at the hotel fea- animals fed on grass. The name used by the brown sugar and coriander, carrots in honey a special treatment. With four tram-tracks tures seafood and steaks prepared as the din- Radisson SAS Hotel is particularly common and ginger, and broccoli with garlic and oys- The buffet is open on Thursdays, Fridays and broken and severe botanical and architec- er desires. If we want it grilled, we’ll have in the U.S. The dish is also called “reef and ter sauce. During our visit to the restaurant, Saturdays between 18:00 and 23:00. Its price tural destruction, the city faces 800,000 it grilled. If we prefer cooked fish, it’s not beef” in Australia Depending on our tastes, we were curious if other diners enjoyed the is 99 zloty per person, which includes soft zloty in damage repair costs. a problem either. The customer in effect be- the cook will add ingredients to the meal. food as much as I did. Elzbieta Uznanska drinks and house wine. For an additional 100 “It’s a miracle that there were no inju- comes the chef, watching as the food is pre- “This might be Dutch sauce, béarnaise and Marek Uznanski, lovers of good cui- zloty, the cook will prepare a fresh lobster to ries,” said Jacek Bodzioch from the Crisis pared. And in addition to convenience, the sauce, choron sauce, green pepper sauce, sine, dine at the restaurant regularly. your specifications. The restaurant also will Management Center. “If the storm had oc- service is fast. The fish on the menu are vis- blue cheese sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and “We want to try everything because it organize different kinds of parties and provide curred during the day, it would have been ible in glass fridges next to the bar. But the chili sauce,” says Arkadiusz Slusarenko, the is so good!” they said. “Such shrimps are catering. ADVERTORIAL worse.” OGEC Krakow Ltd., EmbaYugNieft drill for Kazakh oil Danuta Filipowicz National flags of the participating countries Staff JOURNALIST – namely Poland and Kazakhstan – were raised in a ceremony on August 4. Investment plans OGEC Krakow Ltd., a member of the PG- indicate that this will be the first of nine drills NiG SA Capital Group (the largest Polish oil scheduled for completion this year. Emba- and gas exploration and production company), YugNeft, a company co-owned by Petrolinvest, signed a drilling and maintenance works con- is expected to invest up to $39 mln this year. tract with EmbaYugNieft, a Polish-Kazakh “We are working with top professionals. Company. Fifty percent of shares belong to We have succeeded in retaining the services of Petrolinvest Co. Oil and Gas Exploration Com- Kazakhstan’s greatest driller. Yevgeniy Khan, a pany Krakow Ltd. conducts exploration and living legend of the drilling industry, is our sub- drilling in search of oil and gas deposits. It of- contractor,” says Stefan Geron, general director fers a wide range of drilling services providing of EmbaYugNeft. OGEC Krakow and Emba- highly complicated operations in the drilling YugNieft signed a one-year contract with possi- industry. The company primarily conducts geo- bility to extension. The contract covers the drill- logical, exploratory and production drilling of ing of two to four wells up to 5-6,000 meters oil and gas wells for international export. This deep. The drilling rig will be operated jointly by September OGEC Krakow Ltd. will start drill- a Polish and Kazakh staff with OGEC Krakow ing for oil and gas in Kazakhstan. Ltd. employing and training local personnel for EmbaYugNieft has contracted one of the extra support. In the last nine years the Repub- biggest drilling rigs in Europe, N1625, capable lic of Kazakhstan has been the largest market of drilling wells up to 12,000 meters deep. for OGEC Krakow Ltd. In Kazakhstan, the The rig was purchased in 2006 with financial company has cooperated with the biggest and support of Company owner, PGNiG SA, and most-recognized oil & gas world operators like transported from Siberia to Kazakhstan on 120 Petro Kazakhstan, Kazakhoil Burenie, Kazger- railway platforms. Once assembled and erected munai, KazMunaiGaz, KKM, Chevron, Orient this September, the new rig will be the largest Petroleum, Caspian Gas, Emir Oil, KazkhOil- piece of oil drilling equipment in Kazakhstan. Aktobe, Samek International and Ken-Sary. Having obtained a Zhubantam-Zhusalisay per- Eight of the drilling rigs currently in Ka- mit, drilling will be done in the Atyrau region zakhstan are from Krakow, operated by nearly near the Tengiz Field, the sixth largest oil field 100 Polish OGEC Krakow Ltd. employees and in the world. The permit allows exploration over 600 local personnel on the largest oil fields of the area located 250 kilometers east of the in the country. The overall, 2006 export value region’s capital, Atyrau, a port city at the mouth of OGEC Krakow Ltd. works in Kazakhstan of the Urals on the Caspian Sea. has exceeded 100 mln zloty (over $30 mln). AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 11 Debniki: Krakow’s little secret Polish cheese on EU
cc:sa:Atamano regional products list
the krakow post three categories: Protected Designation Bryndza is the first Polish product to of Origin (PDO); Protected Geographical receive designation of origin or PDO Bryndza podhalanska, a specialty Pol- Indication (PGI); Traditional Specialty (Protected Designation of Origin) cer- ish cheese, has won designation as an of- Guaranteed (TSG). Bryndza falls into the tificate. However, making bryndza in a ficial EU brand, and although the process first category. designated area of the mountainous south required to win this label was burden- All the designations require precise and following a special local recipe is not some, it’s expected to pay dividends at product specification. This must include enough to receive the EU logo. Every the marketplace. information about the method of pro- gazda (owner of agricultural homestead The cheese, made from sheep milk, in Podhale) must get the required certifi- has been officially assigned the European cate. brand for regional products, the Internet Because the application pro- Because the application process is so news service Poland.pl reported. cess is so difficult few pro- difficult few producers from Podhale EU law protects regional food prod- ducers from Podhale have have received EU certificates. To receive ucts, including bryndza, which also re- received EU certificates. certification, the bacowka (a cottage cently won official EU designation. To receive certification, the where traditional highlanders’ cheese is Some products made by Polish high- bacowka must be controlled produced) must be controlled by an EU landers await the official designation. commission. It examines the health con- They only lack producers who would be by an EU commission. ditions of both the sheep and workers and allowed to make them, the newspaper checks the purity of the water supply. If Gazeta Wyborcza reported. Many pro- duction, including the origin, nature and all the requirements are met, the exam- ducers refuse to apply for an EU permit, characteristics of the raw materials. His- ined producer receives what is termed a as they fear the process will be overly torical evidence linking the product to the veterinary number. complicated. geographical area or to substantiate the This number helps to identify who has The special designation comes from character of the product is also required. produced certain cheese or other sheep the EU Protect Food Names Program. It But the difficulty of the process is off- milk products, Piotr Kohut told Gazeta identifies regional and traditional foods set by the benefits it brings. Producers Wyborcza. He is the first producer in whose authenticity and origin can be who have registered their products for the Koniakow region to receive the vet- guaranteed. The designation, also avail- protection have enjoyed raised aware- erinary number. He said inspection of the able for wines and spirits, protects the ness across Europe and benefited from equipment and facilities is not as trouble- heritage, character and reputation of lo- consumers’ increasing appreciation of some as dealing with the bureaucracy. He cally produced food and drink. The road the importance of regional and speciality added that though difficult, there is noth- to winning the EU designation is difficult. foods. And what some see as perhaps the ing in the EU process to be afraid of. The EU web site describes a rigorous ap- most valuable advantage of being on the Soon the process of registration of plication and verification process that can list is that under this system a named food another Polish highlanders’ cheese, oscy- take as long as two years to complete. or drink registered at a European level pek, is going to get under way. Until All products registered under the three will be given legal protection against recently it was impossible, because of a designations will be subject to inspec- imitation throughout the EU. The EU list Slovak protest regarding name origin and tion to ensure that the requirements of includes such products as Greek feta, Ital- allowed cow milk content. As oscypek is the registered specification are met. Prod- ian Parmigiano Reggiano cheese or the also produced in Slovakia an agreement ucts with protected name status fall into Hungarian Tokay wine. has been worked out.
An alternative to the general stomping crush of Rynek Glowny – Debniki, the old Agency LUK suburb of Krakow has loads to offer with zero queues to stand in your way.
Justyna Krzywicka once again. You can still stroll into the gar- staff journalist dens of the Palace Lasocki, just on the banks of the river. There are plenty of bike tracks Krakow is pretty but Krakow can get that will lead you to it, starting at the Grun- packed. To the brim. The overfill of the waldzki Bridge. By the 20th Century Deb- Rynek Glowny can in itself produce hy- niki started to attract professionals such as pertension, rise in stress levels and the oc- clerks and the militia. Apartment blocks casional douse of claus- with gardens were built trophobia. And that’s even to accommodate what we before you get crushed by Small boats and would now call the urban the galloping horse and fishing vessels were sprawl. You can see these buggy lady in her stylish early 1900s units on ul. getup with her fancy stal- made in Debniki Praska 25 with its Cultural lions. There is an alterna- providing much of House still amidst the resi- tive to this general stomp- the river transport in dential blocks. ing crush. By 1910 Debniki of- The answer lies just on the Middle Ages. ficially became a ‘villa’ the other side of the river. suburb of Krakow, with Debniki, the old suburb of Krakow, has the ceramic and metal industry taking off. loads to offer with zero queues to stand in This transformation gave the area its own your way. official square. The buildings around the Just a hop and a skip away, Debniki lies square were established in the late 1800s across from the Wawel castle on the other and early 1900s. side of the Vistula. Debniki are also linked to Pope John II. Once a village, it existed to service the He lived there at ul. Tyniecka 10 after he king and the city with its leather tanning finished primary school. He lived in the services and agricultural goods. By the 16th apartment block with his dad when he was a Century its quarry and brick production student and also when he carried out manual produced the building materials needed to labor at the limestone quarry. spruce up the growing demand of the town If Hitler had his way, Debniki would look and the ever increasing size of the castle. The somewhat different to what they look like place was also a bustling fishing village. today. Hans Frank, who occupied Wawel The local fishermen would sell their catch during World War II and had grand plans to on the other side of the river. turn Debniki, with the help of the architect Small boats and fishing vessels were also Huber Ritter, into a massive administrative made in Debniki providing much of the river center for the German Nazis, complete with transport in the Middle Ages. a casino, bars, sporting facilities, recreation- With the turn of the 18th Century the vil- al amenities and a square for the purpose of lage slowly transformed itself into a town. ceremonies and public speeches. The plan The grandeur of the buildings still exist to never came to fruition with the onset of the this day. You can stroll past the vicars’ manor Soviet invasion from the east and counterat- on ul. Tyniecka 7, or the neo-Gothic palace tack. on ul. Tyniecka 20, which once belonged to Debniki may not have the bustling pub Lasocki, the owner proprietor of Debniki in and souvenir existence of its big sister across the 1800s. The villa’s architectural point of the river, but it is a place with an exciting interest is its four angled tower. After be- history and much to see. Grabbing yourself a ing turned into a municipal administrative bike, a map and a bottle of chilled water will center in the early 1900s, then to a juvenile prove to be an excellent day spent. If you institution, then an apartment block, the pal- don’t hurry the investors will get there first Bryndza podhalanska, a speciality Polish cheese. ace is today in the hands of a private owner and transform this little gem quick smart. 12 The Krakow Post KATOWICE AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 Gliwice factory workers wanted by Formula 1 Joanna Zabierek Recruitment, a company specializing in re- ing employers are the top three ranking F1 workers are also being taken into consider- sTAFF JOURNALIST cruiting specialists, managers and personnel teams – Ferrari, McLaren and possibly BMW ation by Fair Recruitment. “After a month for various types of industries. Sauber (Robert Kubica’s team). of recruitment we have already received 200 Formula 1, also known as Grand Prix In the past the company has recruited for It’s not so surprising that pro car racing applications,” adds Pawlaszek. Racing, is regarded as the world’s most energy, oil and gas, construction, automotive teams are specifically hiring Polish workers. The basic salary for employees is about prestigious auto racing competition. Now and new technology (IT) industries. They “Our yachts and boats are highly regarded in 15 euro per hour, and as contracts are for all Ferrari, BMW Sauber and McLaren, the also manage recruitment in marketing, pub- Western Europe. of next season, they guarantee six to nine highest-ranking Formula 1 teams, are look- lic relations and other sectors, depending And people from our boatyard or aircraft months of regular 3,300 euro pay. Compli- ing for Polish workers, reports Dziennik on client needs. Now Fair Recruitment is works are the most wanted by F1 construc- mentary transportation and posh accommo- Zachodni. But there’s no need to be alarmed searching for people with boatyard and air- tors because they are usually experienced in dation are also provided, ensured the Fair for Poland’s number one champion, Robert craft construction experience. work with laminats used in racecar construc- Recruitment manager. Kubica, as this call to arms will remain off “We’re searching for workers that will be tion,” explained Jakub Pawlaszek in an inter- However, job requirements are set high. the racetrack. the world’s best F1 constructors. We need view for Dziennik Zachodni. Workers must have experience with lami- F1 teams are recruiting highly skilled, two teams of 4 persons,” said Jakub Paw- As employment by F1 has potential for nates (as racecar production uses similar professional and experienced personnel for laszek, Fair Recruitment’s manager-in-chief. highly lucrative contracts, workers from techniques), composite fitting, and they must their workshops. This is guaranteed by Fair Dziennik Zachodni reports that the main hir- various industries are applying. Opel Factory be proficient in English. Robert Kubica. Superior artists at Rawa Blues Fest: “Women of the Just a few days are Habsburg Dynasty” left before this year’s Rawa Blues Festival is finally here
the krakow post
On September 6, the 27th Rawa Blues Festival opens at Spodek Hall in Katowice. R. Kocaj When it first opened in 1981 it started as a relatively small event, but over the years, Rawa Blues Festival, named after the Rawa River flowing through Katowice, has be- come the largest blues festival in Europe. Many of Poland’s and the world’s biggest blues stars are to perform, but just mention- ing a few, like Luther Allison Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, Carey Bell, Cephas & Wig- gins, C. J. Chenier, Rory Block, Little Char- lie & The Nightcats, James Blood Ulmer & Vernon Reid, Paul Geremia, Roy Rodgers and many others, is enough to show how im- portant the event is on a blues concert map. The exhibit presents descriptions of Habsburg women, those born into the family, as well as those who came into the family through marriage. It outlines the genealogy and history of the Habsburg family from the Middle Ages until now, placing special emphasis on This year, Spodek Hall will shine with women’s roles in the dynasty’s history. blues stars yet again. On September 6, blues fans will be seduced by the music of Janiva Joanna Zabierek and a memory board in the City Museum, com- Women’s attire is displayed including recon- Magness, Asylum Street Spankers, Storm STAFF JOURNALIST memorating her visit to the Zywiec Brewery, structions of Empress Maria Teresa’s evening Warming and, of course, Ireneusz Dudek, still remain. Karol Stefan funded the board and and wedding gowns. The reconstructions were who came up with the Rawa Blues Festival A noble guest, the Austrian princess and ordered it to be built into the wall of the New based on paintings remaining in the City Muse- idea in 1980. Spanish Queen, visited Zywiec 100 years ago. Castle with the inscription “In this castle stayed um’s collection. Neo-rococo furniture from the Indisputably, this year’s biggest star will The City Museum organized an exhibit entitled, my beloved sister Marya Krystyna the Queen of New Castle is also displayed. All furniture, cap- Spain from October 23 to 27, 1907, the Prince itally renovated before the exhibition, belongs be Janiva Magness. The artist’s last two al- “Women of the Habsburg Dynasty,” to cel- ebrate the centennial of her visit, reports Gazeta Karol Stefan.” The original board didn’t survive to the City Museum’s permanent collection in bums won her the Blues Music Award for Wyborcza. Maria Krystyna Habsburg (1858- World War II, but its decorative frames still add Zywiec. The souvenir-shop is selling interesting “Best Contemporary Female Artist” in 2006 1929) was a sister of Karol Stefan Habsburg, to the New Castle’s grace. knick-knacks and accessories typically worn or and 2007 and showed her technical perfec- who owned a castle and land in Zywiec. In The exhibit presents descriptions of use by women in those days: china, gloves, tion, maturity and versatility. Janiva’s per- 1885 she married Alfons XII Burbon, the King Habsburg women, those born into the family, as fans, jewelry, purses, toilet-articles and a collec- formances are emotional. She sings acoustic of Spain, as his second wife. She gave birth to well as those who came into the family through tion of books reserved only for ladies. While it’s blues, Bessie Smith standards, New Orleans two girls, Maria de las Mercedes and Maria Te- marriage. It outlines the genealogy and history sure to be an interesting and sentimental journey rhythm and blues songs and dynamic blues- resa, and afterwards to a long awaited first son of the Habsburg family from the Middle Ages for Zywiec residents, the exhibit has something until now, placing special emphasis on women’s of interest for everyone, including Princess Ma- rock pieces. and heir to the throne of Alfons XIII. Upon the King’s early death, Maria Krystyna was left a roles in the dynasty’s history. ria Krystyna Habsburg’s private and mysterious It shouldn’t take much to encourage at- widow at the age of 27. A widowed mother, The most attention is placed on Maria Krysty- photograph collection. It seems the photos were tending the Rawa Blues Festival in Spodek, she focused on her children’s upbringing. She na and women from the Zywiec Habsburg line: never actually printed, disclosed Tomasz Ter- as it’s a great opportunity to relish in great visited her brother, Karol Stefan Habsburg, only Maria Teresa (wife of Karol Stefan) and her teka, City Hall spokesman, in an interview for music. once in 1907, exactly 100 years ago. daughters Eleonora, Renata and Matylda, and to Gazeta Wyborcza. More information can be found at the fes- Some preserved photographs, a reportage of Alicia (wife of Karol Olbracht – a Polish King) More exhibit information can be found at: tival web site: www.rawablues.pl/en her stay printed in the Zywiecki District Guide and her daughters Krystyna and Renata. www.zywiec.pl. Brazilian restaurant 3:1 for Euro 2012 in Poland, Ukraine in the Old Town Soccer fans are placing bets with bookies that the UEFA will take back Poland’s bid ul. Sw. Tomasza 28 to host the Euro 2012. A Sosnowiec soccer fan tried to place 100 zloty on such a bet the krakow post any good, that’s for sure,” explained Adam but the betting became quite popular among We invite you every Warlewski, Sport analyst from Professional gamblers. The Euro is a different story Soccer fans are placing bets with book- Bookie Company, to Gazeta Wyborcza. though. “Most clients aren’t patient enough ies that the UEFA will take back Poland’s On the other hand, those responsible to wait years on bet results. They want it the day from 12:00 p.m. bid to host the Euro2012, informed Gazeta for preparing the championship are having next day. Some of them would probably lose Wyborcza. A Sosnowiec soccer fan tried to trouble getting things done in time. Rigor- their ticket, too,” Warlewski says. place 100 zloty on such a bet with a bookie. ous UEFA rules are increasing chances that But as gamblers persisted, some bookies However, he was turned down as no such bet Poland will be stripped of playing host to the took it into consideration. After consulting exists. Evidently, he wasn’t the only one to Euro 2012. In the past, bookie owners have with main bookie-keepers, they estimated hear this excuse. complied with customer requests, extending the odds of winning to be three to one. If “The problem is more complicated than offers to those willing to place bets. During betting 1 zloty, 3 zloty would be won if the it seems. Almost everyone in Poland wants Poland’s administration reforms people bet Euro 2012 is taken from Poland. But if Po- to have the European Soccer Champion- on how many voivodeships Poland would land pulls through, only 30 percent of the Reservations: Tel.: (0) 12 422-5323 www.ipanema.pl Ireneusz Dudek. ship in our country and such a bet won’t do eventually have. It was the clients’ initiative, money bet would be returned. AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 ARTS & IDEAS The Krakow Post 13
Pod Baranami Cinema Klezzmer, The secret history of screens Polish films Mates, Polish animation Jazz play A different kind of brilliance comes right at the beginning of the history traced here, with for foreign guests Galicja the very famous Jan Lenica (also known for his involvement in the Polish Poster School) and Walerian Borowczyk (also known for the kinky films he went on to direct in France). Each has one solo film here, the Lenica one more surreal, the Borowczyk one more affect- ing, but their co-production – a real oddity called “The House,” is probably where their talents bloom most fully. It looks like a film Luis Bunuel might have gone on to make after “Un Chien Andalou,” if he had allowed him- Danial Szczechura’s, “The Journey.” self to make a little less sense. “Parables of existence” is a risky category Soren A. Gauger in animation, and one that more often than not sTAFF JOURNALIST falls flat on its face, but Stefan Schabenback’s “Stairs” and Jerzy Kucia’s “Reflections” both Polskie Audiovisualne Publishers have re- demonstrate enough visual sensitivity and leased a real bounty of riches entitled, “The intelligence for these 7-minute-long meta- Anthology of Polish Animated Films,” 222 phors to work, and even have a compelling minutes of Polish animation from 1958 to strength. nearly the present day, including some of the Kucia’s later film presented here, “Tuning brightest names in Polish animation history, the Instruments,” will be too dissonant or con- stretched over two DVDs and including Eng- ceptual for many a viewer, but it is the work lish and French subtitles (these are mainly su- of a mature animator struggling to stretch the perfluous – the majority of the films use only medium to its furthest extremes. musical soundtracks). Final stand-outs from this collection are As with any collection of this sort there is Zofia Oraczewska’s “Banquet,” a Jan Svank- some filler here, but the amount of superb ma- mejer-esque horror film, telling the tale of terial makes it well worth the forty zloty being role reversal between food and diner. “The asked in shops. Changing of the Guard,” made in the 1950s, is To start with the absolute classics, we have a fairy-tale of matchboxes that has an undeni- Zbigniew Rybczynski’s “Tango,” whose ac- able visual appeal. tion, if you could call it that, takes place in Having said that, most viewers will groan one room shot from one still perspective. and reach for their fast-forward button during People come in and out of the room from Witold Giersz’s tedious painted animation, or various entrances, performing sometimes during Danial Szczechura’s ineffective satire mysterious actions. (“The Armchair”) or exercise in monotony Film, “Symmetry.” www.kinopodbaranami.pl The Klezzmates. Everyone repeats their actions oblivious (“The Journey”). Miroslaw Kijowicz’s philo- to one another, the people multiply and pass sophical reflections (“Cages,” “The Road”) Michal Wojtas by critics. Fans say that the film is warm the krakow post through each other, and only at the end does are unlikely to provoke gasps of delight sTAFF JOURNALIST and full of good humor. a moment of “interaction” occur. The film is or bursts of inspiration in viewers, and Pi- But September 18, an even better film is Galicja Museum invites all fans of visually magnificent and commits itself to no otr Dumala’s travesty of a fairy tale (“Little Four films remain in a series of Polish to show at Pod Baranami Cinema. Konrad good music to a concert of the Klez- one easy “message,” while in no way strikes Black Riding Hood”) is the sort of thing that Cinema film viewings organized by Pod Niewolski’s “Symetria” (“Symmetry”) is a zmates – a Krakow-based band that the viewer as meaningless. A great, great English-speaking audiences have by now seen Baranami Cinema (Rynek Glowny 27). story of how a man changes after getting blends traditional Klezmer music, piece of work. done a hundred times, and better. Polish films are shown with English sub- sent to prison for being suspected of com- jazz and Balkan folklore as well as If you have never seen Julian Antonisz’s So a mixed bag, surely, but even the flops titles twice a month on Tuesdays at 16:00. mitting a crime. classical music. The concert starts at work (a native of Krakow), his “Sharp, En- can offer a fascinating glimpse into a unique The screenings allow English-speaking for- Inside, criminals have their own system the museum (ul. Dajwor 18, Kazimi- gaged Film” made with his “non-camera” period of Polish animation, where budgets eigners to get acquainted with Polish Cin- of ethics – one that completely defies its erz) on Friday, August 31, at 19:00. technique will be worth your forty zloty alone. were not always high, but where genius often ema and maybe pick up some Polish. popular conception in the outside world. Tickets are 20 and 12 zloty. Spastic, illogical, mildly deranged. With a rol- flourished because of the limitations that ex- This Tuesday, September 4, Pod Ba- The protagonist must choose between be- Klezmer music originated hundreds licking home-made soundtrack. isted on the creators. ranami Cinema is showing Artur Wiecek’s coming one of them or to suffer as an out- of years ago in the villages and ghet- “Aniol w Krakowie” (“An angel in Kra- sider. The last two screenings (on October 2 toes of eastern Europe, where wan- kow”). The film is a comedy with a less- and 16) will feature films that were widely dering Jewish musicians performed at than original plot. discussed in the Polish media during their weddings and other celebrations. The Giordano, the hero, is an angel who has release: “Dlug” (“Debt”) in 1999 and “Psy” Klezzmates quintet was established been sent down to Earth for poor behavior (“Dogs”) in 1992. three years ago and quickly attracted in heaven. His punishment is to do at least “Dlug,” based on a true story, is about a following among fans of Jewish- one good deed a day. He comes to Poland how two friends are murdered by a gang- roots music in Poland and also in by accident, instead of Holland, where he ster after demanding that they repay a loan. Germany, where they have performed meets many interesting people. “Psy” is about how former Communist se- several times. At the end of Septem- The film won several awards the year curity officers are forced to fight real crimi- ber, the Klezzmates will return to after its 2002 release and was well received nals after the old political system falls. Germany for an eight-stop tour. All five members of the Klezzmates are music professionals. They all studied at the Krakow Music Academy and PROFESSIONAL, TRAINED EDITORS have experience in many musical genres. The band consists of: Tomasz Let our trained, professional editors re-stylize your books, reports Polak (clarinet), Bartek Staniak (vio- lin), Jaroslaw Wilkosz (double bass), and documents. Our editors have years of experience working Krzysztof Kossowski (drums) and for major newspapers and publishing houses. Marcin Wiercioch (accordion). The Email: [email protected] musicians said the name of their band Tel.: 511 076 266 was carefully created.. The first part of it stresses the Klezmer tradition, while “mates” refers to “roommates” and the double “z” to jazz. 14 The Krakow Post ARTS & IDEAS AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 Work of renowned Ukrainian artist Francois Ozon pays Mikhail Kolesnik for homage to melodrama sale at Gallery W&L
Ukrainian artist Mikhail Kolesnik. Mikhail Kolesnik’s burning desire to create helped him to find a rare and truthful harmony of color. His remark- able knowledge of the ancient world together with his love for Russian art and immense sympathy for Western European painting allowed him to form a unique perception of color – an em- pire of colors that is vivid in his work. Kolesnik’s one-of-a-kind perception of color opened new paths for the artist, helping him to overcome the limits fac- ing artists of less esteem and ingenuity. Kolesnikov created numerous paintings worthy of praise for their depth and range of color. For the artist, life and art were a single process of continuous learning, and a prism through which he worked to understand nature.
When French second-string film director Francois Ozon released his soft-porn, soft-intelligent “thriller” entitled “Swimming Pool” a few years ago, viewers might have left the cinema asking “Is he joking?” After watching his latest film entitled “Angel,” they might be more likely to ask, “Is he serious?”
ARKA NOEGO Our restaurant is located in one of the oldest Gallery W&L buildings in Kazimierz. We serve all kinds of Jewish The only gallery cuisine, based mostly on local recipes. with genuine Come to enjoy delicious Russian and Jewish dishes. Ukrainian art Live klezmer music every night at 20:00. in Krakow. Open daily: 09:00-02:00 Open Daily: 11-20 ul. Szeroka 2 +48 (12) 4291528 ul. sw. Jana 30 [email protected] www.arka-noego.pl [email protected] AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 The Krakow Post NEW ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
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PERSONALS Place your advertisement here! Let our Classifieds Section do the work! Prices (Netto): Plain Text 40 zl SHOPS & GALLERIES Text + Logo 50 zl (Max. 35mm x 16mm) Place your advertisement here! Let our Text + Photo 60 zl Classifieds Section do the work! (Max. 59mm x 29mm) Prices (Netto): 2 lines 30 zl 3 lines 40 zl 4 lines 50 zl Is your company interested in ADVERTISING in or DISTRIBUTING The Krakow Post? Write: [email protected] Call: Andrzej Kowalski, Marketing Manager +48 (0) 601-512-878 WWW.OOLAALAA.COM