NEWSLETTER No 18

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF IN NEW ZEALAND

December 2016 WELCOME In this issue:

Following the 14 November Kaikoura earthquake, the City Chambers building has become MFA C ONSULTATIONS IN NZ 2 temporarily inaccessible. POLAND ’S CAMPAIGN TO UN SC 2

POLISH DESIGN DAYS 2016 The Polish Embassy has moved into a new interim office at LEVEL 4, SOLNET HOUSE, 70 3 THE TERRACE, Wellington 6011 BILATERAL TRADE 3 SOUTH ISLAND TOUR 4 TE PAPA MEETING 4 NEW GOVERNOR -GENERAL 4 WPFF 2016 5 WARMEST THOUGHTS AND BEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL EFA AWARDS 2016 5 PAHIATUA DOCUMENTARY 5 CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY , P EACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS MAREK PASIECZNY IN NZ 6 RAFAEL IN NZ 6 NEW YEAR INTERVIEW WITH POLISH ARTIST 7 FROM THE POLISH EMBASSY TEAM WOMAD 2016 8 XMAS EVE TRADITIONS 8 NEWSLETTER No 18

POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND Director of the Asia and Pacific Depart- which was held at the residence of the ment at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. Affairs Michał Kołodziejski, together with the Director of the Department of Also in November consultations were Cooperation with the Polonia and held between the Director of the United Abroad, Mateusz St ąsiek paid a work- Nations and Human Rights at Poland’s ing visit to Wellington in November. Foreign Ministry, Zbigniew Czech and The program included meetings with the representatives of the United Na- the European Division at the Ministry tions, Human Rights and Commowealth of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Division at NZ MFAT. The consulta- Zealand (MFAT), including Deputy tions mainly related to the New Zealand Secretary Jeff Langley. The subject of experience from the campaign to beco- political consultations was bilateral me a non-permanent member of the cooperation between Poland and New United Nation Security Council as well Zealand, as well as security situation in as the membership period in this body Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. 2015-2016. Mr Czech also met with the An important component of the visit High Commissioners for Samoa and was a meeting with representatives of Tuvalu accredited to New Zealand. the Polish Community in New Zealand,

CAMPAIGN FOR POLISH MEMBERSHIP OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL IN 2018-19

A campaign to promote Poland’s our region and our sensitivity to inter- membership of the UN Security national issues at the centre of global Council has been inaugurated at the politics.” official event in September. One of the chief bodies of the United As President Andrzej Duda said at the Nations, the Security Council is re- opening, Poland’s candidacy is an sponsible for maintaining internation- expression of the ambition to return al peace and security. It comprises to an active role in shaping the inter- five permanent members (United national order. “The campaign’s mot- Kingdom, France, China, Russia, to is Solidarity-Responsibility- United States of America), and ten Commitment, values we want to pro- non-permanent members, chosen for mote and bring into the work of the a two-year term. UN Security Council, while empha- Poland has been a Security Council sizing that international politics member six times so far, most recent- should be based on the force of law, ly in 1996-97. The election of non- rather than the law of force”. Accord- permanent Security Council members as the Special Envoy of the Minister ing to the Foreign Minister Witold for 2018-19 will take place in June of Foreign Affairs for the Campaign Waszczykowski, a non-permanent 2017. To secure a mandate, a candi- of Poland to the UN Security Council seat on the UN Security Council is date country must win the support of 2018-2019 has been actively involved not only a matter of prestige, but pri- two-thirds of the UN General Assem- in promotion of Poland’s candidacy marily “an opportunity to promote bly members. also amongst the Pacific island coun- Polish Ambassador to New Zealand tries such as Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati Zbigniew Gniatkowski in his capacity and Tonga. 2 NEWSLETTER No 18

POLISH DESIGN DAYS 2016

Workshops on industrial design, Programme included presentations presentations on Polish economy as by the Polish Ambassador, who well as products and materials cur- spoke about Polish economy and rently available in New Zealand, design as well as Poland - New Zea- grand opening of the first showroom land cooperation. Polish-born Alicja in Christchurch with interior and Podemska, lecturer at the Ara Insti- exterior solutions from Poland and tute of Canterbury (ARA) gave a networking opportunities were creat- talk about Polish Industrial Design. ed during the inaugural Polish De- Interior designers, ARA and D&A sign Days on 4-5 October. students participated in a workshop Two days of exclusive events were about ceramic tiles and 3D tiles organised by Live House Design made from architectural concrete. Studio and partnering institutions There were presentations and Q&A under the Honorary Patronage of the held with the National Kitchen & Ambassador of the Republic of Po- Bathroom Association members. land Zbigniew Gniatkowski.

Photos: courtesy of Live House Limited

BILATERAL TRADE PERFORMANCE

Mutual trade between Poland and New Zealand has been growing strongly in the first 10 months of POLAND - NEW ZEALAND TRADE 2016. Polish export to NZ increased by 196% com- (mln USD) pared to the same period in 2015. Imports from NZ increased by 218% and the overall trade was higher by 205%. Jan-Oct 16 Jan-Oct 15 Polish companies send ships, engines parts, machin- ery, medicines and chemicals. When it comes to 204,8 exports value, the top of the list in the first few months of this year, after boats and floating struc- 118,2 99,9 tures were machinery and mechanical appliances, 86,6 60,2 non-rail vehicles and their spare parts, electrical ma- 39,8 chinery and equipment as well as pharmaceutical products. Looking at the value of imports from NZ, among the top goods were ships and floating struc- EXPORT IMPORT TURNOVER tures, fish and seafood, protein substances and modi- fied starch, followed by natural honey and meat. 3 NEWSLETTER No 18

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

At the start of December, Polish Ambas- It was the Forster connection which sador Zbigniew Gniatkowski and Polish prompted the Polish Ambassador to visit Consul Agnieszka Kacperska visited Fiordland. In Manapouri he met with South Island, where they met with Southland District Mayor Gary Tong Polish communities in Christchurch and and other Southland District Council Dunedin to enable consular services. staff members to discuss a possibility of “The Embassy is trying to reach out to installing a plaque in Te Anau or Man- the members of the Polish community in apouri to commemorate the 245 th anni- New Zealand for whom it would be dif- versary of the Forsters’ arrival in Dusky ficult to travel all the way to Welling- Sound and to agree on an appropriate ton” Mr Gniatkowski said. site for it. The decision was made to While in Dunedin, they visited the Dun- place the plaque in Pearl Harbour, Man- edin City Library to see the 238-year-old apouri, by the Real Journeys wharf – a book, published in 1778 “Observations starting point of boat departures to Made During a Voyage Round the Doubtful and Dusky Sound. The plaque World” by Jan (Johann) R. Forster. The is a part of the Polish Embassy-run pro- author was born in Poland in 1729 and is ject called “Polish Trails in New Zea- best known as the naturalist on Captain land” in memory of great Poles. A dozen James Cook’s 2nd Pacific voyage on of plaques have already been unveiled Resolution, accompanied by his son around the country. George Forster.

MEETING WITH TE PAPA MANAGEMENT

Ambassador of Poland Zbigniew Gniatkowski met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Mr Rick Ellis, in December. The main purpose was to discuss Poland - New Zealand historic links and possible future coop- eration and joint projects. Te Papa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand. “Te Papa Tongarewa” is broadly trans- lated as “the place of treasured of this land”.

photo: tepapa.govt.nz

NEW NZ GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Ambassador Zbigniew Gniat- Corps and other VIPs. kowski participated in the offi- Dame Patsy Reddy is New cial Swearing-In Ceremony for Zealand’s 21st Governor- the new Governor-General of General. She succeeded former New Zealand Her Excellency Chief of the Defence Force Sir Dame Patsy Reddy on Parlia- Jerry Mateparae. She is a law- ment’s forecourt on 28 Septem- yer who recently worked with ber. Sir Michael Cullen on a review This one of New Zealand’s of New Zealand’s intelligence most important constitutional and security agencies. Dame events took place in front of Patsy has been a chief Crown assembled Judiciary, Members negotiator for the Treaty of of Parliament, Defence repre- Waitangi and a chairwoman of sentatives, the Diplomatic the NZ Film Commission. 4 NEWSLETTER No 18

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST POLISH FILM FESTIVAL

The first-ever Wellington Polish Film Zealand as well as individual Polish Festival, held at the iconic Paramount and New Zealand film lovers. Cinema, presented a rich offer of Po- Festival's exciting programme show- land's contemporary screen scene cased cutting edge, contemporary, with a selection of the latest produc- award-winning and seldom-seen tions as well as classic artworks by works from renowned and up-and- well-known and respected Polish coming Polish directors. Especially directors. symbolic were screenings of films by The Festival was inaugurated with a Poland's great Krzysztof Kie ślowski, reception and a screening of "11 whose 20th death anniversary is re- Minutes" directed by highly awarded membered this year and therefore Jerzy Skolimowski. The opening 2016 is the "Year of Kie ślowski". speeches were delivered by Ambassa- WPFF showed his Three Colours dor of Poland Zbigniew Gniatkowski Trilogy: White, The Double Life of and the Festival Director Wanda Le- Veronique and some of other early pionka. Polish Ambassador spoke works. about Polish cinematography, its his- Embassy of the Republic of Poland in tory, developments and featuring Wellington was the Festival's princi- figures. pal partner. Amongst other partners The Opening Night was attended were Wellington City Council, Łód ź by 200 guests and patrons, with rep- Film School, Polish Film Institute, resentatives of Diplomatic Corps, the Polish Association in New Zea- New Zealand Film Commission, Vic- land, Crowe Horwath, Topor Restau- toria University of Wellington, Feder- rant, Noble Rot, Kowtow cloth- ation of Polish Organisations in New ing. The Festival ran from 30 Sep- Zealand, Polish Association in New tember till 9 October 2016.

EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS WROCŁAW 2016 DOCUMENTARY NOW IN POLISH

The 29th European my. The winner for the On 31st October 2016, subtitles of a documen- Film Awards were best European Film on the 72nd anniversary tary of commemorations presented on 10 De- was „Toni Erd- of the arrival of 733 of the 70th Reunion. cember 2016 in Wro- mann” (, Au- Polish Children and The movie was made for cław, Poland. The ce- stria) directed by Ma- their the remony is one of a ren Ade. People’s caregiv- Polish number of events to Choice Award went to ers Embas- take place in Wrocław „Body/Ciało” (Poland) from sy in as the city is a 2016 directed by Małgorzata Siberia Wel- European Capital of Szumowska. Andrzej through lington Culture. The nomina- Wajda was posthumo- Iran to by tions and winners were usly acknowledged New Craft- selected by more than with the Honorary Zealand, the Polish Em- Inc Films run by Wanda 2,500 members of the Award of the EFA bassy has published a Lepionka and David European Film Acade- President and Board. 5 new version with Polish Strong. NEWSLETTER No 18

PL & NZ GUITAR DUO PERFORMANCES

Award-winning Polish guitarist and es in music from the Royal Conservatoi- composer Marek Pasieczny, one of the re of Scotland and “Karol Lipinski” most respected contemporary composers Academy of Music in Wroclaw. writing for guitar, jointly with New Zea- UK-born New Zealander classical guita- land classical guitarist Jane Curry per- rist dr Jane Curry is a lecturer in music formed an exciting programme of Polish at Te Koki New Zealand School of Mu- and NZ compositions during their New sic, Victoria University, Wellington. She Photos: Ewa Ginal Zealand tour held in September. The is also a member of Trio Archi D’Amo- programme, featuring a new arrange- re Zelanda, a string trio consisting of ment by Maria Grenfell and the little viola d’amore and cello recently wor- heard Pas de Deux by Anthony Ritchie, king on projects also in Poland for the also included music by M. Pasieczny International viola d’amore Congress, with his dynamic and engaging Sakura commissioning new works and recor- No Hana Variations, Six Polish Ske- ding a collection of Baroque and con- tches, and a beautiful arrangement temporary works. of Arvo Pärt's Variationen zur Gesun- Concerts were held in Hamilton, Mata- dung von Arinuschka among others. kana, Auckland, New Plymouth, Tima- Dr Pasieczny holds three Master Degre- ru, Christchurch, Wellington & Sydney.

POLISH MAESTRO IN NZ

Polish artist Raphael Alexandre sky held workshops with the stu- Lustchevsky held his New Zealand dents of the New Zealand School concert tour. He performed on the of Music. Artist also held a special famous Paderewski's piano, ran music lesson with the children of workshops with the students of the Polish School in Wellington. Photos from New Zealand School of Music and On Waiheke Island, the Polish Waiheke by met with the children from the maestro performed on a Bechstein Krzysztof Polish School. piano left in New Zealand Pfeiffer Between 12 and 28 October, by Ignacy Paderewski, a compos- Polish maestro performed at the er, pianist, politician, statesman, Victoria University in Wellington, former Polish prime minister and Whittaker's Music Museum at foreign minister. Paderew- Waiheke Island, at Lewis Eady in ski toured New Zealand twice: in Auckland as well as at the recently 1904 and 1927. renovated Christchurch Arts Cen- The Polish pianist performed com- tre. positions by Chopin, Schubert, G. While in Wellington, R. Lustchev- Bacewicz and K. Szymanowski .

WELLINGTON POLISH COMMUNITY INVITES FOR WOŚP

Every year in January, millions of Poles get toget- placki, sausages, stew as well as sweet treats her across the country to collect money for the will be served. A range of entertainment for Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity . For the all ages, with live music, dances, toys, stalls last 25 years, about 245m NZD has been collected with unique souvenirs, selected and crafted and used for the purchase of more than 36 thou- specially for the Finale. There will be an sand medical devices. For the 1st time, the Grand online auction with cafe vouchers, a sailing Finale will be held in New Zealand thanks to the trip around the Wellington Harbour and efforts of the Polish community in Welligton. All other surprises to be auctioned. More info: https:// proceedings this year go for the paediatric and www.facebook.com/WOSPWellington/ or http:// geriatric equipment for hospitals in Poland. wellington.sztab.wosp.pl/ There will be a movie screening held at Petone While in in 2013, New Zealand Culture Minister Chris Lighthouse Cinema on Thursday 12 January. The Finlayson visited the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity stu- Grand Finale on Sunday, January 15 2017 will dio. One of the donations from New Zealand was The Hobbit: be held at Dom Polski in Wellington. Dumplings, An Unexpected Journey poster signed by director Peter Jackson. 6 NEWSLETTER No 18

WEAVING LIGHT AND SPACE ON CUBA ST

“Weaving Light and Space” is the 1st New Zealand based collabo- this opportunity mainly due to David's work. He works with special rative art exhibition by two visual artists: Polish-born Beata effects for movies, and this brought us here to Wellington. We both Kozłowska and David Moraton from Spain. Their works were dis- decided to use this time as creatively as possible. We applied for the played at the Thistle Hall Gallery, Cuba St, Wellington in Decem- Thistle Hall Gallery, where our exhibition "Weaving Light and ber. Space" was held in December. We presented works that have been Beata Kozłowska is a painter, visual artist and performer. She was created here in Wellington. Although David, as a video-artist, works born and raised in Poland, where she studied with different mediums, we both use abstraction as a mean of ex- Polish Literature and Linguistics at the Univer- pression. He also uses synesthesia in his work. sity of Warsaw. She studied also Drawing at There is only a limited number of people who Camberwell College of Art and completed Mas- are able to see colors while hearing sounds and ter Degree in Fine Arts MA Fine Art at Chelsea music, and David is one of them. My part of the exhibition consisted of paintings, drawings College of Art and Design in London. She has and installations. For me, weaving space been exhibiting in many group exhibitions in means to occupy it, to adapt it through an ac- England, Poland, Germany and Spain. In 2009 tion directly on the surface of the canvas or in she was awarded for contemporary sculpture by the real space of the installation. It is also UH Galleries in “Eastern Approaches” in Hat- weaving of the inner universe by using irregu- field. Beata was selected to several international lar and asymmetric, perhaps even surreal, but art residencies like “Cortijada Los Gazques” at the same time, closed lines. Being here had a JOYA in Spain, KCCC Creative Center in Lithuania and 'Arteles very fruitful impact on our collaborations! Creative Centre' in Finland. You came to New Zealand through one of the international art Magdalena Goworek, intern at the Polish Embassy in Wellington residencies. Do you have any advice for young polish artists who visited the exhibition and spoke with Beata on her New Zealand and are just beginning their careers? Polish inspirations. Yes, I was participating in four important artist-in-residence pro- grams in Lithuania, Finland, Spain and England. This is the perfect M.G.: When did you decide to become an artist? Your biography opportunity for artists to see their artwork in a different light and mentions that you studied the Polish Literature. from a different perspective. It is a great opportunity for both the B.K.: It was a very long time ago, but my interest in art began when I artist and the location hosting the artist. Artists can improve their was very young. Towards the end of high school, I felt a strong desire skills and the places that are hosting are given a new energy. It real- to paint. Unfortunately, I was not ready yet to apply for the Academy of ly depends a lot on the Fine Arts. I hadn't attended any art school or courses. I decided to try young artist and his or again the following year, and this time I also applied to study Polish her personal agenda Literature and Linguistics. Once again, I didn’t pass the former, but I and their desire to got to the latter, so I took on the develop something Polish Literature. I would take outside of their com- live drawing classes in the eve- fort zone. There are nings. That period of my life was many websites like hard work, but I had a vision! www.re-tittle.com or Immediately after receiving my www.transartists.org MA, a close friend offered me a with all the necessary trip to England to visit her sick information. I person- aunt. After a while, I decided to ally recognize every look for opportunities to develop residency as an excellent opportunity to accelerate the evolution of my artistic skills in London. The failures that I experienced ultimately my work. Of course, we follow our own path, but there will always led me to where I am today. be a turning point in someone's career and a residency can lead to Can your work be traced back to your Polish roots? Are there any this. Polish or European artists that you draw inspiration from? You told me before that is was here in Wellington that you I have been fascinated by many artists over the last 10 years of my started using color? Do you feel that this was a turning point for work. In my youth, I often went to The Zach ęta National Gallery of Art, your artistic process? to see all the latest works. In the early stages of my artistic develop- Wellington is an amazing place. I’m using my time here to create ment, I drew inspiration from Polish realists such as Józef Pankiewicz what I can. A few years ago, there was a moment when my work or Leon Wyczółkowski. We also had great constructivists, like was completely deprived of colors. These were expressive drawings Władysław Strzemi ński. I cannot forget about Tadeusz Kantor or in black and white. It was only in New Zealand, and because of the Katarzyna Kobro. Among my European influences are a Spanish paint- atmosphere here, that I began to use a full range of colors. I had a er, Joan Miro and an English artist Barbara Hepworth. My art is ab- feeling that this was the right place to do this. I am not really able to stract, so it is difficult to identify any particular Polish influence, but my explain why, but it was probably my fascination with this place that work certainly has roots in Polish abstraction and Polish constructivism. contributed to the change. Your first New Zealand exhibition, "Weaving Light and Space” is a What are your upcoming plans? Do you have any ideas for any- collaborative exhibition with a Spanish artist David Moraton. thing related to Poland? Where did the idea come from? I do not have specific plans right now, but I would be honored to be This is a very interesting story! My collaborator is actually my husband. given the opportunity, especially in Poland; perhaps in collaboration The trip to Wellington was a surprise for us. We were presented with with other Polish artists. After living abroad for so many years, it would be a very meaningful experience for me. This is definitely one of my dreams. 7 COMING UP POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS

We are very pleased to announce that one of the artists Like in most Central European countries, Christmas in Poland is a quaint and performing at WOMAD on 17-19 March 2017 in much-beloved affair. However, while Germanic traditions, like decorating trees, New Plymouth will be the Warsaw Village Band have spread so far as to be unsurpris- (WVB, ing, Polish customs remain delightfully Kapela distinctive. ze Wsi Most of the celebrations take place on Warsza- the 24th of December, and even wa), a though the day isn’t an official public leading holiday in Poland, to many Poles it is Polish one of the most significant and family- band oriented dates in the calendar. Many per- institutions stop working earlier than forming usual on the day of Christmas Eve, folk which is usually celebrated with a music combined with modern elements of roots, world family dinner at home. and ethno. WAITING FOR THE FIRST STAR TO APPEAR IN THE SKY Formed in 1997 as a group of friends, after few years Many Poles wait until the 1st star appears in the sky before sitting down to eat on of presence on Polish folk stage and recording "Hop Sa December 24th. This tradition commemorates the Star of Bethlehem, which ac- sa" album (1997), WVB started international career in cording to the New Testament guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Christ. 2002 when German label Jaro released their second Nowadays, with so many satellites circling around the Earth and reflecting light, album "People's Spring" (2001). In 2004 Warsaw Vil- its sometimes tricky to adhere to this tradition, but many families do their best. lage Band won prestigious BBC Radio 3 Award for SHARING AN OPŁATEK World Music as "best newcomer", the same year Euro- Opłatek is an unleavened wafer made of flour and water embossed with a religious pean Broadcasting Union award for the best folk re- image. Every person attending the Christmas celebration gets one and then shares cording. Also next studio album "Uprooting" (2004), pieces of it with everyone else. This is accompanied by exchanges of good wishes was great success, awarded by "Fryderyk" - the biggest and occurs before sitting down to eat. This tradition is linked to the breaking of Polish award for the best folk album. But main power bread at the Last Supper. of band are live performances. WVB had played more SPEAKING WITH ANIMALS than 400 concerts on 4 continents, more than 30 coun- According to an old Polish legend, animals are granted the gift of speech on tries. The New York Times describe WVB as one of Christmas Eve as a reward for their role in welcoming Jesus on earth. As a result, the most important bands of World Music stage. In children often try to extract a word or two out of bewildered family pets. 2006 BBC made documentary movie about Warsaw LEAVING ONE EMPTY PLACE AT THE TABLE Village Band called "Journey". In 2009 WVB won Once everybody sits down at the table to taste the delicious Christmas dishes you their 2nd Fryderyk Award - the best folk album of 2008 might notice that one place is still empty. Many Poles still leave an empty place for set at the table in case a person down on luck should show up and ask for shelter. While this rarely happens nowadays, the tradition nevertheless requires that lone strangers be taken in and treated as family. NOT EATING MEAT Christmas in Poland is a pesco-vegetarian’s dream. In strict keeping with old Cath- olic tradition, Poles usually abstain from meat and hard liquor on Christmas Eve. However, wine and fish are acceptable, and the latter is abundantly featured in traditional dishes. PUTTING HAY BENEATH THE TABLECLOTH If you find some hay beneath the tablecloth at a Polish Christmas Eve celebration, don’t assume your hosts did a poor job of tidying up. The hay is there on purpose, "Upmixing". as a way of remembering that, according to the Bible, newborn Jesus was put in a WOMAD - World of Music, Arts and Dance - is the manger to rest. internationally established festival, which brings toget- PREPARING 12 DISHES her artists from all over the globe. A traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner consists of 12 dishes. One for each Visit the website for tickets and more info: month of the new year. Some claim that one should try every dish to secure good https://www.womad.co.nz/artists/warsaw-village- luck throughout the upcoming 12-month period. Classic Polish Christmas dishes band/ include, amongst others, cabbage and mushroom pierogi (dumplings) and poppy seed cake. Source: http://culture.pl

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND IN NEW ZEALAND

Level 9, City Chambers 142-144 Featherston St tel: (04) 499 7844 New interim address: Level 4, Solnet [email protected] House, 70 The Terrace www.wellington.msz.gov.pl Wellington Feedback & comments: PO Box 10211, Wellington 6143 [email protected]

Polish Embassy in Wellington, PLinNewZealand New Zealand