WEEKLY 3,00 zloty (with 7% VAT)

Published by: Jargon Media Sp. z o.o. Index Number: 236683 ISSN: 1898-4762 NO. 33 WWW.KRAKOWPOST.COM DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 Traditional feast held in city center for haves and have-nots Poland remembers martial law in 1981 On Dec. 13, 1981, the arrests and jailings started. Radio programs were halted. The borders were shut down. Martial law was imposed 2

Valuable primeval forest under threat Environmental organizations The 10th annual event has become the biggest holiday gathering in Poland, where those who have resources share with those who haven’t. It is far from the only such event, are raising the alarm about the however. Many cities reach out to the poor during the holiday season. The cooks at the Krakow event prepared about 6,000 liters of mushroom soup with pasta. management of Poland’s most valuable primeval forest: Kinga Rodkiewicz “I ask them to put together parcels with the most help from homeless programs. Bialowieska Forest 2 STAFF JOURNALIST important necessities, such as sugar, tea, coffee, flour Gdansk has a Christmas Eve meal program that gets the young and rice,” she said. involved in the spirit of the season. Since 1989, students from all About 50,000 homeless, poor and lonely ate free on At the Christmas Eve event, those in the crowd get the universities in the Pomeranian region have staffed the Kitchen Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square). raffle tickets. Numbers are called, and every person of Santa Claus, cooking soup every Thursday for the homeless School students The 10th annual event has become the biggest holi- receives a gift. and poor. day gathering in Poland, where those who have resourc- “I remember that once a man who had a big family They prepare special meals on Christmas Eve and Easter for the can read, not count es share with those who haven’t. It is far from the only received a parcel in which there was food – and 500 90 or so people they serve. Assessments of teenage students such event, however. Many cities reach out to the poor zloty,” Ziembicka said. Lublin held its 8th Christmas Eve meal program this year. The during the holiday season. It is a tradition that if the beneficiary of a gift knows main organizer was the Dominican Order. showed that they performed best The cooks at the Krakow event prepared about 6,000 who the donor is, he must express his thanks. When When the Old Town event was first held, it was only for the in reading tasks, while they had liters of mushroom soup with pasta, six tons of cabbage the man with the big family sent his appreciation let- homeless. Now it’s for everyone. difficulty in math exercises 4 with mushrooms and 100,000 homemade dumplings. ter, the donor was so pleased that he gave the family Residents, including people dressed as angels holding candles, “Ten years ago, I had no idea that Christmas Eve on another 1,000 zloty. wander through the streets singing Christmas carols. At the main the main market square in Krakow” would become so Katowice also has a Christmas Eve meal for the market square the carolers take part in the most important part of big, said Jan Kosciuszko, owner of the Chlopskie Jadlo homeless and poor. each Christmas Eve – sharing wafers and good wishes. Military takes part restaurant, who started the tradition. Bishop Gerard Bernacki told When he initiated the program, he said, he hoped it the 60 Silesians at this year’s in peace program would become a tradition that spread to many locations event to fill their hearts “with Partnership for Peace sends – and it would involve people of means helping those love, kindness and goodness. without. I wish you on this Christmas troops overseas to deal with Mayor Jacek Majchrowski and Cardinal Stanislaw peace, joy and kindness.” terrorism and proliferation 6 Dziwisz are among the notables who have embraced the Non-governmental organi- event. zations estimate the number of Ninety percent of those who ate on the main market homeless in Poland at between Int’l women raise square this year were needy, meal organizers said. 80,000 and 130,000. The num- Christmas is Poland’s most important religious holi- ber in Katowice has grown each money for orphans day. The Catholic Church tells its members that those year over the last several years, with means should celebrate Jesus’ birth by helping the the mayor’s office said. Last The Int’l Women’s Association less fortunate. year about 5,000 people got holds Christmas Charity Ball to In almost every Polish home on Christmas, Eve there is a place at the dinner table for anyone who wanders support local poor children 11 in. If someone comes to the door unexpectedly, the tra- dition is that the host invites him or her to eat the 12 traditional Christmas dishes with the family. Local Guggenheim The tradition started in the 19th Century, when many families reserved a chair for a family member whom the Museum underway Russians had sent to Siberia for fighting for Polish in- dependence. A Krakow resident has decided In many Polish cities, local governments, private to build a Guggenheim sponsors and volunteers put together a Christmas Eve Museum in his hometown 12 meal for the poor. In Wroclaw, the event is associated with one deter- mined woman, journalist Wanda Ziembicka. She has Mediterranean dishes been organizing a Christmas meal for 20 years. Exotic drinks “I do this for very poor people, for the lonely, ill and those abandoned by relatives,” she said. “The disabled Hookahs and multi-children families come as well.” Arabian music So many people look forward to the event that “some- times at the beginning of September people ask me if Belly dancers they will receive an invitation,” Ziembicka said. Ziembicka prepares for the event by sending a letter Maly Rynek 2 each year seeking donations from 300 companies, busi- Tell.: (0) 12 421-6498 nessmen, editors, actors and politicians. Email: [email protected] 2 The Krakow Post POLAND DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 R E G I O N A L N E W S Poland remembers introduction of martial law in 1981 Gazprom warns of possible tensions with Ukraine Russian energy giant Gazprom late last week warned of a risk of “tensions” with Ukraine’s future government, two days before pro-Western Yulia Tymoshenko was voted in by the parliament as prime minister. “Today, the only place where there could be tensions is in Ukraine,” said Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kuprianov on the Russian news channel cc:sa:Hiuppo Vesti 24. Problems could arise “if a new govern- ment is elected that tries to modify the accord signed” earlier this month concerning the price of gas deliveries to Ukraine, he said. “There have been statements in that regard by the Ukrainian party and that worries us,” he added, alluding to comments by Tymoshenko’s party. On Dec. 4, Ukraine and Russia agreed on the price for gas deliveries in 2008 at $179.5 (122 euro) per 1,000 cubic meters. The current price for Russian gas paid by Ukraine is $130. However, a lawmaker from the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, which is set to form Ukraine’s governing coalition, criticized the deal, saying it was proof of the “incapacity” of outgo- ing, pro-Moscow prime minister Viktor Yanu- kovych. Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine in 2006 after Kiev refused to accept a much higher price for imports. The move subsequently dis- rupted gas supplies to EU countries further down- stream, raising criticism that Moscow was using its energy resources to put pressure on neighbor- ing governments. (AFP) Martial law was declared for 586 days until July 22, 1983.

Gazprom sets price limit at Iwona Bojarczuk tened Polish independence. The anniversary member at the controls. It transported high law gathered in front of the Warsaw home of $119 for Belarus Staff Journalist included masses, historical re-enactments, school students dressed in ZOMO uniforms. General Wojciech Jaruzelski to protest. The meetings and exhibitions. Another group of students was distributing man, whom many Poles despise for declar- Russian energy giant Gazprom late last week On Dec. 13, 1981, the arrests and jailings It also included some supporters of mar- leaflets about the anniversary of martial law. ing martial law, is still alive. set a gas price limit for Belarus at $119 (82 euro) started. Radio and television programs were tial law, who contend that Russian troops When the tram arrived at the stop where the As in previous years, those who gathered per 1,000 cubic meters for the first quarter of 2008, a day after President Vladimir Putin promised halted. Newspaper publication was stopped. would have come into Poland to suppress leaflet distributors were, sirens began blar- outside the house included martial law sup- Minsk to freeze natural gas costs. The government prohibited Poles from trav- the uprising if the Polish government had ing. The ZOMO forces rushed from the tram porters. They used candles to spell out the Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kuprianov made eling. The borders were closed. So were not declared martial law. to arrest those distributing leaflets. message: “We remember.” the announcement on Echo of Moscow radio, say- airports. Curfews were imposed. Correspon- The Civic Responsibility Foundation In Krakow, Defense Minister Bogdan Then they fired flares and sang the na- ing it met with the conditions of the contract signed dence was censored. organized the re-enactment of a clash in Klich joined the head of an uprising memo- tional anthem and the patriotic song “Rota.” in Dec. 31, 2006. In comparision, gas prices in the One hundred thousand police and soldiers Warsaw. The “government” forces included rial organization in opening an exhibition At the end they shouted “Murderer” and first quarter of this year were at $100 per 1,000 enforced martial law. Their enforcement young men wearing uniforms, a SKOT ar- titled “Poland’s Undergound State – Solidar- “Down with Communists.” cubic meters. In late 2006, relations between Mos- tools included 1,750 tanks and armored ve- mored vehicle, a Nysa military car and water ity.” Wladyslaw Bartoszewski is chairman Jaroslaw Krajewski, chairman of the Law cow and Minsk soured over a sudden increase in gas prices. hicles. Martial law, which the government cannons for dispersing crowds. The “mili- of the Committee to Preserve the Memory and Justice party’s Warsaw Forum of The Until then the former Soviet state had benefit- declared after a Solidarity-led general upris- tary” pitched a tent in front of the Wizytki of Fighting and Martyrdom. Young, said Poles have an obligation to re- ted from a special price, which had been a key way ing, lasted 586 days, until July 22, 1983. Church and Convent. A Jagiellonian University exhibition dealt member the victims of the uprising. “That is for Moscow to show support for Belarus’s authori- In the first week after the declaration The re-enactment of the clash between with the Independent Student Association’s why we come here every year,” he said. tarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. of a security emergency, the government the ZOMO units and the anti-government role in the uprising and in battling martial Jaruzelski’s supporters rallied behind the Belarus is again on Moscow’s good side after put 5,000 people in prisons or internment forces came in the evening in the Bemowo law. Priests at the Church of Saint Anna slogan “Let history judge the general.” Lukashenko, a political pariah in the EU and the camps. At one time or another during mar- district. said a mass to commemorate martial law They contended that Jaruzelski chose the U.S., told Putin at a summit that Minsk backed tial law, about 10,000 people served time in “We need to show the dark side of his- victims. lesser of two evils. If he had not introduced Russia’s opposition to U.S. plans to install part of a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. 49 internment camps. Many were leaders of tory” so it won’t fade from our memories, Another memorial mass was held at the martial law, they say, the Russian army Putin reassured Lukashenko that Russia would the trade union movement Solidarity and the said Artur Luszczak, who played one of the Mariacka Basilica. Afterwards, mass par- would have entered Poland, causing enor- not raise prices for natural gas, also promising advisers and intellectuals connected with soldiers. “Many old people do not remem- ticipants, politicians and former Solidarity mous bloodshed. there would be no obstacles to delivery of Rus- it. Fifty-six people were killed during the ber or do not want to remember” the up- members marched to the Katyn Cross in “Jaruzelski should be respected for mak- sian supplies this winter through Belarus to the strikes and demonstrations. risings, he said. “The young do not know” Saint Idzi Square to pay homage to those ing such a hard decision and bearing the re- EU. (AFP) Last week Poland marked the 26th an- what happened. who had fought to free Poland. sponsibility for it with honor and dignity,” niversary of the introduction of martial law, Poznan’s celebration included a spe- As has become a tradition, on the nights said Krzysztof Mroz of the organization Norway takes over NATO the bitterly despised clampdown that has- cial “war tram,” with a former Solidarity of Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 opponents of martial Right of the Polish Left. patrols of Baltic skies Norway late last week took over a NATO mis- sion patroling the skies of the three Baltic states bordering Russia, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said. Norwegian pilots will patrol the air space of the alliance’s new members using four F-16 fight- ers deployed at the Zokniai air base in northern Valuable primeval forest under threat Lithuania. Some 60 members of the Norwegian military will be deployed at the base, the ministry Zofia Owczarek being situated within the Polish borders. result in the loss of a prestigious FSC (For- certificate of the European Council. To said. This is Norway’s second time as head of the security mission which it took over from the Por- Staff Journalist The forest’s value lies primarily in the est Stewardship Council) certificate given prevent further loggings of the old-growth tuguese military. fact that, thanks to early protection, until for quality management. forest, WWF has launched a campaign to Other members of the 26-nation North Atlantic Environmental organizations are rais- the 20th Century the vast majority of the And of even greater concern, Bialowi- extend the Bialowieski National Park to Treaty Organzation (NATO) have taken turns pa- ing the alarm about the management of forest escaped the detrimental influences of eski National Park could cease being reg- cover the entire forest. trolling the skies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Poland’s – and Europe’s – most valuable civilization and agriculture. istered by UNESCO as Poland’s only natu- However, the campaign is certain to since the three Baltic states joined the alliance in primeval forest: the Bialowieska Forest. But after World War I, illegal logging ral item on the list of the world’s cultural meet resistance from the local people, be- March 2004. The three Baltic republics which re- Ecologists are alarmed by the heavy log- began posing a threat to the integrity of the heritages. cause many employers depend on the tim- gained their independence from the crumbling So- ging in areas of the forest not protected by natural woods. In 2006 the forest was visited by profes- ber economy. viet Union in 1991, lack the aircraft and personnel to police their skies themselves. (AFP) the Bialowieski National Park. “There is no other forest like this through- sor Eckhart Kuijken from the European “No other trees are being logged other The World Wide Fund for Nature has out Europe,” Stefan Jakimiuk of WWF Po- Council, who was displeased with the man- than the ones attacked by bark beetles,” said Russian stands accused of already collected 100,000 signatures in an land told the newspaper Dziennik. agement by State Forests. Bogumil Olszynski, a retired forester from appeal to protect these areas. However, only 17 percent of the price- “I found that the policies of the area’s su- Hajnowka, a town adjacent to the forest. killing 40 women in Ukraine The appeal is to be handed to President less area is protected as Bialowieski Na- pervisors are still aimed at financial profit,” “There is no other way to fight the in- The trial of a Russian ex-convict accused of rap- Lech Kaczynski. Bialowieska Forest is tional Park. The rest is still being logged. he told Dziennik. “Procedures applied here sect, as no chemicals are allowed in the ing and killing dozens of young women and girls without a doubt the oldest and most pre- The management of the area by State were valid years ago, while now ecologi- park area.” has opened in Ukraine, a court official said late last cious woodland in Europe. It constitutes an Forests was already questioned by the Su- cal recommendations are of higher impor- Still, WWF and other environmental or- week. Sergey Tkach, a 55-year-old father of five area of 150,000 hectares. preme Chamber of Control at the beginning tance.” ganizations hope that the new Polish min- who has been married three times, is accused of Most of the forest – 87,500 hectares – be- of this year. Kuijken’s report might result in the Bi- ister of the environment will take their ap- committing some 40 murders in the east and south longs to Belarus, with only 62,500 hectares of the country, the regional prosecutor’s office Now, the alleged mismanagement might alowieska Forest being deprived of the peals into account. said. Tkach is also suspected of 40 other murders currently under investigation, while another 60 crimes, some committed in Russia, have not been investigated yet, the prosecutor’s office said. “The trial of Sergey Tkach started behind closed doors to protect the rights of victims’ rela- tives,” a spokeswoman for the prosecutors, Svit- Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! lana Tchorna, told AFP. Tkach was arrested in southern Ukraine in 2005, where he had been living. He came to Ukraine in We wish our readers, journalists and advertisers a wonderful 1982 from Kemerovo in Siberia, Russia, where he had worked for the police. holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Thank you all for Young women and girls started disappear- ing in 1984 in the Dnipropetrovsk region where being with us through 2007. We will be suspending our weekly Tkach was living, the Interior Ministry said. His lawyer Yuri Syrotynko said he had confessed but news service for the holidays, and rejoin you on Jan. 10 of did not specify exactly to what. Tkach was judged sane and will stand trial, which is expected to last the New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2008! at least six months. He faces a lifetime in solitary confinement if found guilty, as the death penalty in Ukraine was abolished in 2000. (AFP) DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 POLAND The Krakow Post 3

Polish PM Major political changes in 2007 Young Poles remember wants troops martial law on out of Iraq in streets of Warsaw cc:sa:Marek Silarski cc:sa:Marek October 2008 agence france-presse Tanks and militiamen sporting Kalash- nikovs appeared on the streets of Warsaw late last week in events marking 26 years to the day since the 1981 Communist crackdown against Poland’s Solidarity movement. “Learning about that time from books is one thing, but we want to bring his- tory alive, to make people remember and to learn directly from their experience,” agence france-presse Damian Pietrzyk told AFP. Dressed in the khaki green military garb of a Communist- Prime Minister Donald Tusk said late Agriculture Minister Andrzej Lepper (Center). era militiaman, the 20-year-old Warsaw last week he wants to end the country’s Iraq University law student is keen to hear the deployment in October 2008 in line with his Michal Wojtas tive voters. that decreased Poles’ trust in politicians. stories of passers-by who, unlike himself, election pledge. Staff Journalist Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform The biggest was what government investiga- remember communism all too well. “At the request of the minister of de- party won big in the elections, obtaining 42 per- tors say was Agriculture Ministry officials’ efforts “Its not easy for my generation to imag- fense, we, as the government, are submit- The year 2007 brought many changes to Po- cent of the vote. While having to give up the reins to obtain bribes. The bribes were to be taken for ine that time,” says Pietrzyk. ting a request with the president to prolong land’s political scene. Some people and parties of government, Law and Justice topped its 2005 changing the status of rural land in Mazury, a re- “Bringing it back to the streets is a good the mandate until October 2008 to enable us gained power. Others suffered heavy losses or performance with 32 percent of the votes. gion in northeast Poland. The Central Anti-Cor- way to remember those who died and how to complete the mission,” Tusk told journal- even dropped out of the political scene. The voter turnout was 54 percent of the elec- ruption Bureau was investigating the issue when far Poland has come.” ists. He also said he would visit Iraq before The main turning point for all of the players torate – or roughly 17 mln people. That made it the the situation became public. The young Pole took part in the “Young- Christmas to announce the end of the mis- was the parliamentary elections of Oct. 21. The biggest in post-Communist Poland. News of the investigation led to potential wit- sters Remember” event organized by the sion to Polish soldiers. voting came after the Law and Justice party-led Two other parties managed to get seats in the nesses clamming up. So far the government has Polish Foundation for Civic Responsibility. Tusk said he hoped President Lech Kac- government dissolved parliament and scheduled a lower house: the Left and Democrats with 13 per- failed to bring any charges in this case. A re-enactment of a street-clash between zynski, whose party was defeated by Tusk’s snap election after two years in office. cent and Polish Peasants’ Party with 9 percent. The Tomasz Lipiec, the sports minister in the Kac- pro-Solidarity protestors and infamous Civic Platform in the October elections, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski had little Civic Platform party asked the peasants party to zynski government was arrested on allegations of ZOMO militiamen was planned for later would not block the withdrawal. choice. His coalition with two smaller parties – the join it in forming a governing coalition. bribery in October. Prosecutors accuse him of tak- Thursday along with seminars and a Catho- Kaczynski has repeatedly said he wants Self-Defense party and the League of Polish Fami- The Self-Defense party got two percent of the ing bribery in the awarding of the contract to build lic mass commemorating martial law vic- Polish forces to remain in Iraq. The previ- lies – disintegrated in August due to several scan- vote and the League of Polish families one percent the National Sports Center. tims. In one of the most dramatic episodes ous government, led by Kaczynski’s twin dals and ongoing tension. – far below the 5 percent threshhold needed for In July, Self-Defense parliamentarian Stanislaw of modern Polish history, then prime min- brother Jaroslaw Kaczynski, also supported That led to the Civic Platform party ousting lower-house seats. Neither is likely to play an in- Lyzwinski was charged with raping of Urszula K., ister General Wojciech Jaruzelski ordered maintaining Poland’s deployment in Iraq. Law and Justice. fluential role in Polish politics again, analysts say. who claimed she was raped after asking Lyzwinski the military crackdown on the fledgling Tusk’s liberal party dealt a stinging elec- In the 2005 elections the Law and Justice party Law and Justice leaders are looking for a new for a job. During the election campaign, prosecu- anti-Communist Solidarity trade union tion defeat to the Kaczynskis’ right-wing won the most seats with 27 percent of the vote. strategy for returning to power. tors charged Civic Platform parliamentarian Beata movement. While opponents contend it was Law and Justice party. Its main rival, the Civic Platform party, got 25 Law and Justice attracted few of Poland’s Sawicka with bribery for setting up a tender of a designed to re-enforce the Communist par- During the election campaign, Tusk had percent. young voters in the 2005 election. It also fared parcel in Hel, a city in northern Poland. ty’s grip on power on the heels of a massive promised to withdraw from Iraq, and in a Four other parties earned seats in the lower poorly in the big cities. One of its biggest chal- In the year 2007 high-profile politicians an- wave of unprecedented strikes organized by speech outlining his policies to parliament house that year: the: populist Self-Defense party, lenges will be reversing those trends. nounced their withdrawal from public life. Former Solidarity, Jaruzelski himself argues it was on Nov. 23, he promised that Poland would with 11 percent of the vote; the Alliance of the Another problem the party needs to deal with is two-term President Aleksander Kwasniewski came the only way to prevent a potentially cata- wind up its mission by the end of 2008. Tusk Democratic Left, with 11 percent, the League of what some complain is the leadership’s inability to back to lead Left and Democrats party’s election strophic invasion by Soviet troops. had made political capital of the issue in a Polish Families with 8 percent and the Polish Peas- accommodate diverse views. campaign. When the party faltered in the balloting, However, few historians believe any pre-election televised debate with Jaroslaw ants’ Party with 7 percent. The membership recently re-elected Kaczyn- he said he would not return to politics again. such invasion was on the cards. Kaczynski, demanding: “What gives you Two years later, voter sentiment had changed, ski as chairman. But some members say they are Jan Rokita, whom some political analysts in Key Solidarity members including union the right, you and your brother, to extend the with more favoring the two largest parties over the unhappy with his refusal to listen to other views. early 2007 believed would be Civic Platform’s leader Lech Walesa and Poland’s current mission in Iraq ... to put the lives of Polish smaller ones. Political journalists maintained that Prominent members Kazimierz Ujazdowski and prime minister if the party pulled off an election President Lech Kaczynski were imprisoned soldiers at risk?” this shift was bringing Poland closer to a two-party Pawel Zalewski left the party last week after an victory, left the party shortly before the October along with thousands of other dissident. Jaroslaw Kaczynski had responded that system. argument with the former prime minister. elections. Telephone lines were cut, media blacked Poles “have never been deserters or cow- Law and Justice’s former coalition partners, the Civic Platform’s future appears bright but ma- One reason was that several run-ins with Tusk out, borders closed and public mobility was ards.” According to a recent poll, some 85 Self-Defense party and the League of Polish Fami- jor challenges await Tusk and his cohort. had hurt his standing in the party. Another was that severely restricted by curfews and strict percent of Poles are against their soldiers lies, had almost no support in October’s elections. Doctors’, nurses’ and teachers’ strikes last his wife Nelly had taken an important in President travel restrictions. Tragically, 56 people are being deployed in Iraq, while only 12.1 per- A key reason the Self-Defense party was bat- summer diminished popular support for Kaczyns- Lech Kaczynski’s office. known to have perished during the brutal cent back the deployment. tered was scandal. The most prominent party ki’s government. The issues that caused the strikes In January, Leszek Balcerowicz ended his term crackdown. Martial law was formally lifted Polish forces have been present in Iraq member to be accused of a crime – bribery – was are still unresolved. as chairman of the National Bank of Poland and on July 22, 1983. The Solidarity movement since the start of U.S.-led military action in Agriculture Minister Andrzej Lepper, the Self-De- The opposition will be ready to pounce if the decided to found a non-governmental organiza- re-surfaced nationwide in a fresh wave of 2003. It had 2,600 troops in Iraq in 2003 but fense chairman. ruling coalition is unable to deal with medical tion. He was the key author of the plan to turn Po- strikes during the late 1980s paving the the number has been slashed to 900 at pres- Law and Justice capitalized on Self-Defense’s practitioners’ and teachers’ grievances – and any land into a free-market economy in the early 1990s way to Poland’s famous Round Table talks ent. Twenty-two Polish soldiers have been disintegration by picking up many of its conserva- other important domestic matter. and also former chairman of the centrist Freedom which brought a bloodless end to commu- killed in Iraq. As in previous years, 2007 brought scandals Union party. nism in watershed elections in 1989. Czech-U.S. deal within view on anti-missile radar sites

agence france-presse as the provision of emergency flights to the base and the obligations of Czech and U.S. negotiators late Czech authorities to police a security last week said they had made prog- zone around it, Rood added. ress in talks aimed at a deal over the The proposed Czech radar would siting of part of a U.S. anti-missile be paired with 10 interceptor mis- defense shield in the Czech Repub- siles in neighboring Poland which lic – but refused to set a target for could counter the threat of an attack their completion. from “rogue” states, such as Iran, ac- “I think we are making very good cording to Washington. Rood said progress I do not think we will need a that the U.S. still holds the view that tremendously large number of future “the missile threat from Iran and [negotiating] rounds if we continue to similar countries is real and growing make the progress we have made so and continues to evolve.” far,” commented U.S. Assistant Sec- Iran was continuing its missile retary of State John Rood in a joint development program. “It remains news conference with Czech Deputy a concern to the U.S. and poses a Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar. threat to our NATO allies,” he add- “The finish line is certainly within ed. As well as two general agree- view but predicting exactly when we ments setting out the framework for will reach those dates is something I the radar’s operation and the rules have cautiously avoided so far,” he governing the foreign base, a third added. agreement allowing Czech firms and A final deal looks possible “within businesses to take part in the general a few small months, but we do not anti-missile development is also be- rule out that it could be within a few ing discussed, Pojar said. weeks,” Pojar said, adding that the Czech opposition to the U.S. radar Czech side was still studying simi- has however climbed to 68 percent lar deals between the U.S. and other according to a survey by the CVVM countries to “get the best possible institute published this week, com- result.” pared with 65 percent in June. Pojar said six of the 18 negotiating A referendum on whether to host chapters being discussed had been the base is wanted by 73 percent of closed and another three or four were the population according to the same close to being sealed. “On about half survey. The center-right government of the text there is no accord,” he in power since the start of the year added. has resolutely refused a referendum Progress in the latest talks had saying lawmakers in parliament Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar. been made on “safety aspects” such should approve the project. 4 The Krakow Post POLAND DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008

R E G I O N A L N E W S Latvia and Russia seal German town becoming Polish suburb long-delayed border treaty munist EU newcomers join the borderless Latvia and Russia sealed their long-delayed Schengen zone from Dec. 21, it will boost border treaty in a public ceremony early this Loecknitz’s existing draws for Poles. week, 16 years after the Baltic state regained its The town is only a 20-minute drive from independence from the Soviet Union. Latvian Foreign Minster Maris Riekstins ex- 1.2:J23-007 GFDL central Szczecin, and has schools, hospitals, changed ratification documents with his Russian a gym and other leisure facilities, as well as counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who is on an official being set in the largely unspoilt Pomerania visit to Riga. region. Polish property hunters also get far The border accord between Latvia and its So- more for their money. Real estate prices have viet-era overlord, which had been on ice for more spiralled in Poland in the past three years, than a decade, had already been approved by law- but have barely changed in Loecknitz. makers and the countries’ leaders. The formal ex- Marek Fiuk, 30, bought a magnificent change of documents was the final hurdle before it could come into force. red-brick farmhouse near Loecknitz with Latvia broke free from the crumbling Soviet his brother several weeks ago. The price tag: Union in 1991, after five decades of Kremlin under 50,000 euro ($73,000). control, and completed border talks with Russia “For that, I’d have been able to buy a in 1997. studio apartment in Szczecin, around 32-35 But the draft treaty was only signed by both square meters. In other words, nothing,” he countries’ prime ministers in March, after being said, smiling. held up by differences over territory which is now “Here I’ve got a whole house. I always in Russia but was part of independent Latvia be- fore World War II. dreamed of that.” The spat compounded Moscow’s annoyance Fiuk is also planning to set up the head- with Latvia for joining NATO and the EU in quarters of his multimedia firm in his new- 2004. found home. Latvia’s 276-kilometer (164-mile) border with “I travel a lot to Germany for work, and Russia has since 2004 become one of the eastern- now I’m going to live there. And from Dec. most frontiers of the EU. 21, there won’t be any border checks. You Latvia’s neighbor Estonia, which was also won’t have to show your ID card, which is ruled by Moscow until 1991, is now the only post-Communist EU member state still to fix its sometimes pretty tiresome,” he said. border with Russia, because of political differ- Maria Theresia Odentall, head of Loeck- ences. (AFP) nitz’s municipal housing office, said that all the homes bought by the newcomers had Most EU states ready to Little by little, Loecknitz is being transformed into a cross-border suburb of Szczecin, as Poles go hunting for real estate bargains. been on the market for years. sign pact with Serbia “The Poles do these places up,” she said. agence france-presse bargains. They now make up 10 percent of the Soviet-dominated bloc, which collapsed Less well-off Poles also opt to rent in Loeck- A majority of EU nations want to sign a pact the population. from 1989. nitz. on closer ties with Serbia, perhaps as soon as next Poland is bracing to join the Schengen “After joining the EU in 2004, Poles After East and West Germany were re- “Three years ago, 15 percent of municipal month, Czech European Affairs Minister Alexandr passport-free zone this week, but dozens started looking for apartments and houses united in 1990 – bringing the ex-Communist apartments in Loecknitz were empty. Now Vonda said late last week. He said that, with the of its citizens have already helped melt the EU supporting moves by the Serbian province of on the German side,” said estate agent Jan state into the EU – the town felt the chill it’s around one percent,” Odentall said. In Kosovo to break away, the bloc was keen to dem- frontier by snapping up property in a small Rybski, who is himself Polish. wind of economic crisis. Its young people public, the Polish influx does not appear to onstrate that Belgrade has a European future to German border town. “Loecknitz is turning back into what it left in droves to look for work in the west, have caused bad feeling. stop it from turning toward Russia. Loecknitz, a 3,000-strong community in was before the war,” he told AFP. investors shied away, and today around a “At the beginning, we had to get used to “I’m in favour of a political approach,” Vonda northeast Germany, lies in the hinterland of Until 1945, Loecknitz was a well-heeled quarter of the population is jobless. Across it. Now it doesn’t bother us at all,” said 83- told reporters on the sidelines of an EU summit in Szcezcin, a Polish port city of some 420,000 district of the then German city of Stettin. the border in Poland, meanwhile, the once- year-old resident Anne Marie Hedwig. Brussels. He said the EU should do its best to con- people. But the Polish-German border was shifted shambolic economy gathered steam in the Nonetheless, Germany’s far-right NPD clude a Stabilisation and Association Agreement Little by little, Loecknitz is being trans- westwards after Germany lost World War II. 1990s, and has powered ahead since the party, which is hostile to Polish migrants, “no later” than the end of January. formed into a cross-border suburb of Szc- “Our interest is to keep Kosovo under European Loecknitz found itself in Communist-ruled country joined the EU. won almost 21 percent of the vote in Loeck- influence ... and to keep Serbia under European in- zecin, as Poles go hunting for real estate East Germany. Poland also became part of When Poland and seven other ex-Com- nitz in regional elections last year. fluence rather than Russian influence,” he said. The only real obstacle to a signature of the ac- cord – a first step for Balkans states to join the EU – is that former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Kardzic and his war-time military chief Ratko Mladic are still at large. Secondary school students can read, not count The two have been indicted for genocide by the UN war crimes tribunal over the 1995 Srebrenica the krakow post massacre of about 8,000 Muslim men and boys – the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II. Assessments of teenage Polish students in 2006 showed that they The EU has always insisted that Serbia’s EU future performed best in reading tasks, while they had difficulty applying their depends on full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, baseed mathematical and scientific knowledge to practical problems outside of in The Hague, The Netherlands. school. The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) recent- UN chief war crimes prosecutor Carla Del Pon- ly published the results of tests taken by more than 400,000 15-year-olds te, whose mandate ends at the end of the month, from 58 countries around the world. The research has been carried out by said this week that full cooperation meant getting PISA since 2000. Mladic, whom she says has been hiding in Serbia, It gathers information useful for projects to improve the quality of edu- behind bars. Del Ponte has been supported by The cational systems. Netherlands and Belgium. The tests, conducted every three years, are aimed at assessing the prac- But several countries, led by Italy, have been de- manding that the pact be signed quickly to staunch tical skills of secondary school students in three main areas: reading com- Serbian anger as it parts with its ethnic-Albanian prehension, mathematical skills and scientific literacy. majority southern territory, almost certainly by “In reading, Polish teenagers are above average, which is a significant May. Signing in January would provide a boost for improvement within the last couple of years,” Michal Fedorowicz, the pro-European Serbian President Boris Tadic as he manager of the PISA 2006 research team in Poland, told the daily news- confronts the nationalists in presidential elections paper Gazeta Wyborcza. Polish students ranked 8th overall among the set for Jan. 20. If Dutch objections are overcome, 58 countries. diplomats said that the trade and aid pact could be In the remaining two categories, however, the Polish did not do as well. signed at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers on Jan. 28 in Brussels. Independent thinking by means of theoretical knowledge both in science In an interview with Le Soir newspaper in Bel- and mathematics are their weakest points, as reflected by the 23rd and gium, Del Ponte expressed concern that Europe 25th-place rankings, respectively. appeared to be backing away from its past tough “Our students have considerable knowledge, but they fail to use it in stance on Serbia. their own reasoning or experiment planning,” Ewa Bartnik of the PISA “Serbia only cooperates when it’s under pres- 2006 team told the newspaper Rzeczpospolita. sure and that must continue,” she said. “I am She said the Polish educational system might be to blame. stunned by the attitude of France, Germany and Practical skills in science are hardly ever required at schools, and most Italy who want to soften their position.” “As these decisions are taken by unanimity, I’m students don’t even have the opportunity to carry out experiments during counting on Belgium and The Netherlands,” she lessons. A similar problem concerns mathematics. said. “Polish teenagers perform excellently as long as the task is imitative,” In conclusions from their summit, the EU’s Fedorowicz said. The conclusion is that Polish schools fail to teach prob- leaders expressed confidence that Serbia’s “prog- lem solving, which might cause problems when the students have to ad- Assessments of teenage Polish students in 2006 showed that they performed best in reading tasks, while ress on the road towards the EU, including candi- just to the job market in the future. they had difficulty applying their mathematical and scientific knowledge. date status, can be accelerated.” (AFP) Ukraine parliament names pro-Western foreign minister Officers arrest 29 in child porn swoop Ukraine’s parliament named a strongly pro- Western foreign minister early this week after picking Orange Revolution leader Yulia Tymosh- agence france-presse ments, private homes and busi- handles criminal intelligence and enko as prime minister. nesses across the country and the helps to coordinate police work 1.2:Nevit Dilmen GDFL The parliament voted 227-0 for Volodymyr Polish police detained 29 Poles seizure of 34 computers, 24 hard across the EU. Ogryzko, who has been serving as deputy foreign on suspicion of possessing and drives and 5,000 CDs, videos cas- Several of the suspects con- minister and favours the ex-Soviet republic joining copying child pornography via the settes with paedophile content,” fessed to acquiring child pornogra- NATO and the EU. internet, in an operation sparked police spokesman Robert Horosz phy over the internet during police Opposition deputies, who oppose the NATO by a tip-off from the EU body Eu- told AFP. questioning, he said. bid and back closer ties with Russia, boycotted the vote. Tymoshenko, who helped lead the pro-de- ropol, a spokesman told AFP late “We took action after receiving In March of this year Polish mocracy Orange Revolution in 2004, earlier won last week. a tip from Europol at The Hague,” police detained 33 suspects in a the post of prime minister. The pro-Russian oppo- “We’ve detained 29 individuals Horosz said. Europol is an EU crackdown against an internet pae- sition also boycotted that vote. (AFP) following a search of 34 apart- law enforcement organzation that dophile ring. Police have detained 29 Poles on suspicion of child pornography. DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 POLAND The Krakow Post 5 Cave-in kills two in copper mine Gravediggers

agence france-presse

Two miners perished and five were in- jured in a cave-in in a Polish copper mine in Rudna, southwest Poland, mine officials are to be taught in Katowice said late last week. The cave-in occurred 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) underground following a seismic jolt. A 33-year-old miner was killed instantly while rescuers found the body of the second victim, mine official Edyta Tomaszewska told the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Five miners were hospitalised with light proper language injuries while 22 others were able to escape the danger zone unscathed, Tomaszewska the krakow post paper Dziennik Lodzki. said. She, like many other offend- One miner was killed and a further three In modern language, slang ed families, complained to the injured in a similar cave-in in February in expressions are abundant. owner of the funeral parlor. The Agency LUK the same copper mine owned by Poland’s Slang can enhance the sense numerous complaints resulted KGHM mining conglomerate. of belonging to a group, while at in the undertakers’ decision to Poland’s worst mine disaster in 30 years the same time it makes the lan- provide gravediggers with spe- occurred in November 2006 in the Halemba guage more vivid. cial training on the proper use of coal mine in the southern Silesian coal ba- Its use rarely causes prob- language while at work. The task lems, except in some particular has been entrusted to the care of sin. Twenty-three miners were killed in a cases, as has lately become evi- a renowned linguist, professor methane explosion. dent to Polish gravediggers. Jerzy Bralczyk. The language used by Polish “The problem is that although cemetery workers leaves much words such as ‘corpse’ are so to be desired, according to re- common to the people in our New bird flu outbreak at farm search carried out by Monika business, they sound demean- Mroz, a young lawyer. ing to the families who suffer In her master’s thesis, she the loss of a beloved husband studied the use of expressions or mother,” said Tomasz Salski, concerning death and the dead chairman of the Polish Crema- by this professional group. tion Association of Cemetery Her findings are alarming to Administrators and Funeral Di- the undertakers and cemetery rectors. “We therefore should do owners. our best to be most considerate Given the data collected by and tactful.” the young researcher, one can no Professor Bralczykis faces a longer be surprised at the large challenge. Polish language does number of complaints issued by not abound in expressions con- bereaved family members about cerning eternal matters. Still, he gravediggers’ language. is enthusiastic about the under- Loosely translated, a “pen- takers’ endeavor. dant” means the corpse of a “It is admirable that they hanged man, a “buoy” the body want to improve,” the linguist of a drowned one. said. “In the situations they have “Oak overcoat,” “box” and to face on a daily basis, even “pencil case” all denote a coffin. neutral words acquire a trace of Colorful as it is, the gravedig- cruelty. The most vital thing is to ger’s tongue can be extremely refer to the dead as ‘people,’ thus offensive to the friends and rela- stressing their humanity.” tions of the deceased. The training for cemetery “When I heard my cousin be- workers will be in the form of ing referred to as a ‘stiff biscuit,’ lectures and workshops. Profes- I just couldn’t help bursting into sor Bralczykis will visit several tears,” Teresa Janik, a shop assis- cities, teaching a total of 3,000 to tant from Poznan, told the news- 5,000 people.

agence france-presse ary in Poland’s northwestern lake region of Mazuria were also found to have died from Poland has been hit by a fresh outbreak Russian missile unacceptable H5N1. of bird flu, authorities told the Polish Press Poland was also hit by the virus last year, Agency (PAP) early this week, with the but it only affected wild birds, and this year’s agence france-presse Russia has strongly objected to the plans, deadly H5N1 virus confirmed at a small outbreaks are the first among poultry. considering them a threat to its security. northern poultry farm. Since the latest outbreak began, veteri- Prime Minister Donald Tusk judged On Saturday, Russia’s army chief of Infected birds were discovered at a small nary authorities have as a precaution ordered “unacceptable” late last week a warning by staff Yury Baluyevsky suggested that a farm near Milakowo in the northern region the slaughter of around half a mln domestic Russia’s army head of a possible retaliation “mistaken classification of an interceptor of Ostrada, PAP quoted veterinary service fowl. if U.S. interceptor missiles planned for de- missile launch” could trigger a retaliatory spokesman Adam Wojtaszek was quoted as Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki has ployment in Poland are ever used. strike from Moscow, whose security sys- saying. warned that the outbreak must be brought “This kind of declaration is unaccept- tems might misinterpret it as being aimed Infected poultry had also been discovered under control because it could cause major able. No declaration of this kind will in- at Russia. AGENCJA NIERUCHOMOSCI last week in two other small farms in the economic problems given that the affected fluence Polish-American negotiations” on “When I heard the words of the Russian www.property-krakow.com same region. areas have a high concentration of poultry U.S. plans to site 10 interceptor missiles general on an automatic reaction, I was re- Five other outbreaks of the strain, which farms. Sawicki has promised farmers 100 in Poland, Tusk said in an interview with minded of the worst period” of the Com- can also be fatal to humans, have been dis- percent compensation for their losses. Poland’s private TVN television channel. munist era, Tusk said. covered since the beginning of this month at The European Commission has since The U.S. has also outlined plans for a Baluyevsky’s remarks also triggered larger chicken and turkey farms in central Dec. 3 banned exports of live poultry, meat radar base in the Czech Republic. Under a sharp reaction from the Czech Foreign and northern Poland. and eggs from the affected areas. Washington’s schedule, both would be up Ministry which described his language as Polish authorities have slapped security Poland’s fellow EU member and neighbor and running by 2012 as part of a missile “unimaginable in the democratic world.” zones around the affected farms. Lithuania has imposed a blanket ban on Pol- defense shield aimed, the U.S. administra- But Tusk also said Warsaw wanted to Last week, a stork and two buzzards ish poultry products, a step likewise taken by tion says, against a possible missile threat talk about the missile shield with all parties which were being cared for at a bird sanctu- Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. from rogue states such as Iran. concerned, including Russia.

NEW IDEA OF BEAUTY NOCLEGI W APARTAMENTACH Cosmetic cabinet & SPA EGO offers: www.aaakrakow.com - Wide range of face & body care - Dermatology & dermabrasion cosmetics & spa - Relaxing & healthcare massages - Circumstantial makeup OPEN: [email protected] - Home healthcare cosmetics Mon-Fri 9.00-20.00 - Atmosphere of relax & recreation Sat. 9:00-15.00 ul. Wielopole 15 We guarantee satisfaction Tel. 012/ 429-6556 CALL IN AND SEE US! every minute in our office. www.ego.zaprasza.net ul. Napoleona Cybulskiego 2 6 The Krakow Post POLAND DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008

R E G I O N A L N E W S World’s oldest man dies in Martin Military contingent in Poles hope Ukraine, aged 116 A Ukrainian shepherd believed by some to Pollack be the world’s oldest man has died at the age of 116, authorities in the western Lviv province an- Partnership for Peace for a better nounced early this week. Grygory Nestor put his longevity down to never having married: “If I had had a wife, I would have been in a coffin long wins ago,” he told AFP in a recent interview. future Nestor’s passport and birth certificate put his international program date of birth as March 15, 1891, but he is thought to have been awaiting confirmation from the Angelus Guinness Book of World Records when he passed away. Agency LUK The Ukrainian media has claimed him as the world’s oldest man. Central www.isaf.wp.mil He remained a shepherd until nearly his 100th year, and could still read the newspaper without glasses. He offered a spartan sampling of other reasons for his long-life: a strict regime of no European cigarettes, light drinking and healthy food – but also a routine of prayer and repentance. Nestor died in the town of Stary Yarychiv. “In the next world, all will be well,” he once Literature said. “And if that’s not the case, a lot of people will run away.” (AFP) Poland prepares withdrawal from Iraq for October 2008 Award Poland’s new liberal government late last week asked conservative President Lech Kaczyn- for 2007 ski to extend the country’s mission in Iraq until the end of October 2008, at which point it wants a troop withdrawal. Urszula Ciolkiewicz “The government requests the extension of the Staff Journalist mission of the Polish military contingent in Iraq to Oct. 31, 2008,” a government statement said. “Polish troops and other personnel will carry Martin Pollack is the winner of the Ange- the krakow post out tasks aimed at ending the mission,” it said. lus Central European Literature Award for Bringing Poland’s 900 troops home from Iraq 2007. The winning book is titled “Smierc was a key manifesto pledge of Prime Minister w Bunkrze – Opowiesc o Moim Ojcu” Apparently the approaching end of Donald Tusk’s liberal Civic Platform party, which (“Death in the Bunker – the Story About 2007 brings out hope for the future trounced the ruling Law and Justice party in par- My Father”). among Polish people. liamentary elections in October. Angelus is the most important award in According to a poll by the Public The previous conservative government led by the field of creative prose translated into Opinion Research Center (Centrum Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the president’s identical twin the Polish language. Badania Opinii Spolecznej – CBOS), brother, was intent on maintaining the four-year- Joanna Zabierek locals, the tragedy might not have occurred. Poles are extremely optimistic and old Polish presence in Iraq despite widespread The award is presented on an annual ba- Staff Journalist public opposition. sis to writers from Central Europe whose The Defense Ministry now recognizes that positive about ongoing changes in the Under Polish law, the president is the coun- works undertake themes most relevant to troops not only need battlefield and military- country and their own financial situa- try’s commander-in-chief and is responsible for the present day, encourage reflection and One of Poland’s top priorities after inde- intelligence preparation for an overseas mis- tion. They have not been this enthusi- approving foreign operations. The current contin- deepen the world’s knowledge of other pendence in 1989 was NATO membership. sion but also specialized knowledge about astic since 1998. gent’s deployment to Iraq is due to finish at the cultures. But being a member of the North Atlantic the country where they are being deployed For the first time since the end of end of this month. (AFP) It is directly connected with Wroclaw as Treaty Organization is a two-edged sword. and psychological preparation. the 1990s, the number of people who On the one hand, it gives Poland military NATO’s post-Cold War overseas mis- Ukraine parliament approves a city of intercultural dialogue, as it is the consider the country’s situation to be place where people of various nations and security that it has never had before. NATO sions are so-called “three-bloc” operations. positive has exceeded 50 percent. Only Tymoshenko as premier cultures have always been coexisting. rules say that if one member is attacked, all Soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan may have a fourth of those questioned expressed The members of the Angelus jury are: members will go that country’s defense. to perform combat tasks. They also may an opinion to the contrary. Ukraine’s parliament early this week nar- But on the other hand, membership means have to act as policemen. Plus, they become rowly approved Orange Revolution leader Yulia Natalia Gorbaniewska (Russian poet, jour- The judgment appeared to depend Tymoshenko as prime minister, in the ex-Soviet nalist and translator of Polish literature), that Polish troops must participate in NATO involved in humanitarian activities. much on the age, education and resi- republic’s latest bid to escape months of politi- Stanislaw Beres ( a literary historian, poet, missions abroad. The alliance’s Partnership They need to be proficient in all three dence of the respondents, with the cal turmoil. Deputies in the single-chamber Rada essayist and translator), Piotr Kepinski for Peace program sends troops overseas tasks – and that requires special training. younger, better-educated and better- voted 226-0 in favor of Tymoshenko, proposed by (poet and literary critic), Julian Kornhauser to deal with threats such as terrorism, pro- Lack of such training probably played a key paid inhabitants of bigger cities gen- pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko – the (poet, writer of prose and literary critic), liferation of weapons of mass destruction role in what happened in Nangar Khel, ana- erally much more satisfied with the absolute minimum for a vote to pass in the 450- and energy security. Polish troops have lysts say. Although NATO has not offered direction the country is heading after seat Rada. The opposition boycotted the vote. Ty- Ryszard Krynicki (poet, translator and pub- lisher), Tomasz Lubienski (playwright and been deployed in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq precise information on its plans for staying the October election. Among those moshenko supporters cheered following her vic- and in the Mediterranean. Afghanistan con- in Afghanistan, indications are that the mis- tory, which came a week after a first parliament writer), Krzysztof Maslon (publicist, liter- with the lowest income, a majority vote failed to pass by just a single deputy. ary critic) and Andrzej Zawada (literary tinues to be the country’s biggest mission. sion may last until at least 2020. The exact considered the country’s situation un- On this occasion deputies voted one by one in historian, writer for radio and editor). About 1,200 soldiers are there. The mission time frame is up in the air because it in- satisfactory. a show of hands to avoid a repeat of the previous This year’s laureate is an Austrian essay- is complicated, requiring a mix of fighting volves not only how much military success People’s opinions regarding their week when Tymoshenko’s coalition claimed that ist, publicist and translator. Martin Pollack, and nation-building skills. NATO troops NATO is having but also winning the hearts own financial status have also im- tampering with the electronic system had been born in 1944, who translated into the Ger- in Afghanistan must not only try to ensure and minds of the population. proved, with 36 percent of those ques- responsible for her defeat. Dramatically under- security and stability but also help with re- Peacekeepers are dependent to a large tioned considering it good, 42 percent lining divisions in this country of 46 mln people, man language all the books of Ryszard Ka- puscinski, the famous Polish reporter, jour- construction of the country. The Nangar extent on the goodwill of locals for success average and 22 percent bad. pro-Moscow opposition forces, who control just Khel tragedy underscores how difficult it in both their military and humanitarian mis- under half of parliament, did not take part in the nalist, publicist, poet and photographer. The most significant changes in the vote. Tymoshenko rose to fame when she and Pollack studied Slavic literature and has been for NATO forces to handle all fac- sions. That goodwill also helps ensure their poll results, in comparison to the last Yushchenko led the 2004 Orange Revolution pro- Eastern European history in Vienna and ets of their difficult mission in Afghanistan. safety. A Nangar Khel-type breakdown can three months, regard the political situ- tests that forced a re-run of a rigged presidential Warsaw. Seven Polish soldiers attacked the village of destroy that goodwill. ation in Poland. Twenty-four percent election victory by Moscow-backed rival Viktor The honored book was written in 2004. Nangar Khel in August, killing six unarmed The goodwill lesson applies not only to of respondents believed it to be good, Yanukovych, who now heads the opposition. Pollack tells the story of his father, Dr. Ger- civilians. They face charges that could put Iraq and Afghanistan, but other places as which is 8 points higher than a month Yushchenko won the re-run and appointed them in prison for 12 years to life. well. In January, Polish soldiers will be de- ago. Tymoshenko premier, but their alliance fell apart hard Bast, whose body was found in 1947 at the entrance to a bunker on the Austrian- Although Polish troops had been in Iraq, ployed to Chad. Becoming peacekeepers in Even though more people were still shortly after. Ahead of the vote, the fiery Tymosh- their experiences were not automatically that country’s civil war may be the most dif- enko accused the opposition of corruption and Italian border. displeased with the politics (27 per- said “they are petrified that... I will put order into The investigation brings into light a ter- transferable to Afghanistan because differ- ficult overseas mission Poles have faced. cent), their number has significantly the state.” (AFP) rifying truth: Pollack’s father was a war ent Muslim countries have different rules of About 150 Poles will be going to Darfur decreased during the last three months. conduct. The Nangar Kher case showed that as part of a multinational force whose task is The remaining 41 percent believe the many soldiers don’t recognize that a knowl- to try to stop four years of violence there. political situation in the country to be edge of and appreciation for local culture The start of the Chad mission will come average. and religion can be keys to the success of a few months before Poland pulls its 897 As for the economic situation, a their mission, analysts say. They maintain troops from Iraq, fulfilling a promise that third of those questioned are satisfied that if the Polish soldiers at Nangar Kher Prime Minister Donald Tusk made in his and a fifth consider it unsatisfactory. had had good working relationships with the election campaign this fall. Hungarian Cuisine and More... Stary Kleparz Pharmacy

Momotown Hostel 28 Miodowa St. tel. 012 4296929 We speak English and French. [email protected] Rynek Kleparski 14 www.momotownhostel.com Tel.: (0) 12 430-0410 10% discount with this ad! www.starykleparz.pl DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 BUSINESS The Krakow Post 7 Bestsellers for 2007 EU’s top Magdalena Lyko fits into this mould, if somewhat more sub- court Staff Journalist German liminally in his ongoing engagement over spirituality and the Catholic Church. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Patric Suskind’s mystical realism work rules by J.K. Rowling heads Empik’s bestsellers “Perfume,” recently presented in film, of 2007 English book list. holds a continuing presence over 20 years against The Harry Potter series has continued after publication in 1985. Along with the to dominate the market since its introduc- “Devil wears Prada” by Lauren Weisberg- tion, attracting a readership beyond its er and “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur railway Swedish child-teenage audience, with many adult Golden, each of these publications have readers seduced by Rowling’s magical been buoyed by their respective film re- writing style. From the magical to the mys- leases post-publication. union tical, Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” From the non-fiction genre Britain’s agence france-presse continues to fair well with its enlivening Jeremy Clarkson makes the bestseller list of thoughts and questions surrounding the with “The World According to Clarkson” Europe’s top court early this week Christian world. A popular subject in an and “I Know You Got Soul,” rounding off a could invest ruled against a Swedish trade union overtly Catholic country like Poland. Paulo varied selection of readings for the coming that blockaded a work site used by a Coelho’s “The Witch of Portobello” also holidays. Latvian company to force the firm to pay its staff higher local rates. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) recognized the right of work- in India, ers to take collective action but it Ancora means “more” said that the picketing in this widely- watched case had restricted the right of the Latvian company to provide Fine cuisine services. for business & “Such action in the form of a blockade of sites constitutes a restric- non-business tion on the freedom to provide servic- Poland and es, which, in this case, is not justified with regard to the public interest of protecting workers,” the court said. The case concerned Latvian com- pany Laval un Partneri, which posted workers to Swedish building sites, mainly on extensions at a school in Romania the town of Vaxholm in May 2004. The works were handled by a susid- iary, L and P Baltic Bygg. Sweden’s Byggnads construc- tion union accused Laval of paying rates far lower than permissable and blockaded three of its building sites to pressure the subsidiary into sign- ing a collective wage agreement. The action forced L and P Baltic Bygg into bankruptcy. The rift has been followed closely in Sweden, where it was seen as a di- rect consequence of EU enlargement amid fears of an influx of cheap la- bor from Eastern European countries, such as Latvia, which joined the bloc in May 2004. The court, based in Luxembourg, noted “the right to take collective ac- tion for the protection of workers of the host state against possible social dumping may constitute an over-rid- Ancora was opened in July by Adam Chrzastowski, restaurant head chef and co- ing reason of public interest.” owner with his associate, Robert Radzinski, a wine connoisseur. But it said that, in this case, that right was liable to make it more dif- the krakow post menu avoid standard titles, they are more ficult for the Latvian firm “to carry descriptive. What is more, tastes and dishes out construction work in Sweden and Ancora’s name translated from Italian change for occasions, with the latest innova- Logo of Deutsche Bahn. therefore constitutes a restriction on means “more.” With its auteur cuisine by tion being a Christmas menu. An open kitchen the freedom to provide services.” Adam Chrzastowski, Ancora restaurant is a engages diners with the process of preparing agence france-presse “We’re expecting an operating license culinary challenge for those who want to ex- dishes and provides the opportunity for a culi- plore new tastes. for our subsidiary there by early 2008,” nary chat with Chrzastowski. The German railway Deutsche Bahn is Bensel said. Deutsche Bahn wants to play Ancora was opened in July by Chrzastowski, Ancora states its meticulous selection of mulling an expansion into Poland and Ro- an active role in the consolidation of Eu- restaurant head chef and co-owner with his as- quality ingredients puts it at an advantage over mania, and has also created a joint-venture rope’s rail cargo industry as passenger traf- sociate, Robert Radzinski, a wine connoisseur, others. Chrzastowski personally oversees the with Indian steel company Jindal, a press fic shows slower growth rates and is still and is the fruit of many years of culinary ex- process of course preparation. “I only pur- report said early this week. heavily regulated. ploration. Auteur cuisine are courses invented chase the highest quality seasonal products. Norbert Bensel, head of Deutsche Bahn’s On the joint venture with Jindal, Bensel and prepared by the chef, based on individual Otherwise I simply don’t take it,” said Chr- logistics unit, told Financial Times Deutsch- said Deutsche Bahn will hold the majority compositions inspired by particular dishes or zastowski. land the company was closely following in the project, which in a first phase will national cuisines. The rest is based on the chef’s The restaurant strives to debunk the belief privatization in Romania where he expected handle Jindal’s cargo operations. He did not culinary imagination. that Polish cuisine is only pierogi and pork state-owned logistic companies and cargo disclose the investment but said it is low as “To a major extent, matching tastes is like meat by promoting a new Polish cuisine ex- units of state-owned railways to be sold for matching colors – you instinctively remember the German rail operator first seeks to gain perience through its fine dishes, hospitable below 100 mln euro ($144 mln). Deutsche experience in India. He said Deutsche Bahn the taste and then invent new combinations,” atmosphere and the celebration of the meal as Bahn is prepared to invest more than 100 said Chrzastowski. The whole composition of in a second step would handle logistics for an event in itself. mln euro in Poland, the Financial Times German automotive suppliers in India. a meal is complemented by the rich content of Ancora restaurant is located at ul. Domini- Deutschland reported, possi- the restaurant’s wine menu (ca. 400). kanska 3, open from 12:00 to 23:00. bly partnering with Russia’s NEW To deter categorization, courses in Ancora’s www.ancora-restaurant.com state-owned railways. EMPLOYMENT PORTAL LAUNCHING NOVEMBER CALL TO HOTEL EDEN 2007 ADVERTISE: REGISTER FOR FREE TODAY announces our annual festive BE FIRST! Andrzej Kowalski, SEND YOUR CV NOW CHRISTMAS and MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE TO Marketing Manager, EMPLOYERS IN IRELAND, UK NEW YEAR’S PARTIES. AND MIDLAND EUROPE +48 (0) 798-683-160 We also provide EXCEPTIONAL REGISTER NOW ON Hotel Eden www.snazzyjobs.ie ul. Ciemna 15 CATERING SERVICES for your 31-053 Krakow Tel. 012 430 65 65 own holiday parties or functions [email protected] throughout the year. www.hoteleden.pl 8 The Krakow Post BUSINESS DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 Polish rail to Monitoring employees at work get a major Czech to facelift within send home next four years NKorean

the krakow post

The Polish Rail InterCity (PKP) will workers by be restructured into a joint stock compa- ny with plans for the future to release its shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The public transport carrier is promising that within four years passengers will be January traveling in comfort and with greater ef- ficiency. PKP InterCity wants to compete with the airlines in transporting commut- ers across the country. According to Gazeta Prawna, Cz- eslaw Warsewicz the CEO of PKP Inter-

City assured ticket prices for rail travel cc:sa:Stefan Bauer Justyna Krzywicka cil (in the Warmin-Mazurian region), employees. Such monitoring, accord- will not increase with the onset of the new Staff Journalist carries out alcohol breath tests each ing to Gazeta Prawna, may increase year. Despite inflation and an increase in morning, Gazeta Prawna reports. efficiency at work by 40 percent. petrol prices as well as employee wages, Monitoring employees at their The very next day after the breatha- No study was carried out to indicate PKP stands firm not to increase its fares place of work by the use of video lyzer was put into practice, two work- whether stringent control over work- unless there is grave reason to do so. cameras or through conducting com- ers were sent home after displaying a ers’ activities decreases morale within Currently the transport company is nego- puter security checks, which includes tiating with PKP Cargo from which PKP blood alcohol level of 2.7 and 3.4 mg the workplace. Trade unions are be- email inboxes, is becoming common- InterCity leases its electric locomotives. respectively. ing increasingly approached to nego- place. According to Gazeta Prawna PKP Cargo is demanding higher leasing According to Gazeta Prawna there tiate such monitoring measures. Ac- and the research conducted by Hi- fees. Warsewicz assures PKP InterCity is an increased market demand to cording to Transport Workers Trade tachi Data Systems, some 67 percent has plans to become more self-reliant in implement such monitoring methods. Union (ZZPRC), negotiations always of Polish employers monitor their order to minimize costs. It has purchased This is reaffirmed by companies who concern email monitoring and the in- workers’ emails. In France 71 percent 10 of its own electric locomotive engines, specialize in offering monitoring ser- stallation of cameras in office spaces which will be in operation within two of employers do the same, as do 62 vices and equipment. Companies of- and work related areas. years time. The company is also taking percent in the United Kingdom. fering monitoring services such as A Should an employer decide to into consideration leasing locomotives Monitoring the levels of intoxica- Plus C have up to 100 customers per carry out monitoring within the work- from other suppliers outside of Poland. tion of their employees is no longer month inquiring about their services. place, he/she must first notify the em- Gazeta Prawna reports PKP InterCity a random breath check, rather a daily A major concern for implementing ployees and describe the monitoring agence france-presse occurrence for many workers. Within is also preparing to make a public debut such monitoring services and de- process involved. If this is not carried the building sector, many construc- on the Warsaw Stock Exchane (WSE). All North Koreans living and working in the Czech Re- vices is not so much the protection out, an employer may be sued by his/ tion companies conduct breath checks Plans to float shares on other interna- public under a controversial cheap labor program will have of trade secrets or confidential infor- her workers for a breach of privacy each morning before builders can tional exchanges are being taken into been sent home by the end of January 2008, the Czech Inte- mation within the workplace, but to which is protected by Art. 24 of the commence work. The Milka Coun- consideration for the following years. rior Ministry told AFP early this week. increase the productivity levels of the Civil Code. According to Warsewicz, entering the “By the end of January 2008, no citizen of the Demo- stock exchange is a priority for PKP In- cratic Peoples Republic of Korea with long-term residency terCIty as it must make up for the time for work purposes will be allowed to stay,” the ministry said lost and modernize the rail company. The in reply to written questions. investment plan foresees 2.7 bln zloty The development will end the practice of allowing them spent within four years time. About 1.5 to work in factories as a source of cheap labor, after some bln zloty is to be spent on 20 new speed human rights groups said they were being used as breadwin- trains, with the tender for the purchase of Inflation hits hard ners for the authoritarian regime in their home country. them to be announced in the next three At the end of November, 134 North Koreans with visas months. Some 300 train carriages are to were still working in the Czech Republic, the ministry add- be modernized with 250 already being ed. Back in January, when Prague announced it would end renovated. The company has also issued the arrangement, there were 400. a public tender for the purchase of 30 At the time it made the announcement, the Interior Min- new carriages. PKP InterCity will also istry said the decision stemmed from a UN resolution con- either renovate completely or purchase demning and imposing sanctions on Pyongyang following at year’s end 50 new restaurant carts, spending around nuclear weapon tests. 180 mln zloty. But the Foreign Ministry described it as “an administra- The bid to operate the restaurant has tive and not a political decision.” been won by Wars. The company has The practice of allowing local companies to use cheap serviced trains in the previous years North Korean labor with a large part of their meagre earn- and was already once rejected by PKP ings being funneled to Kim Jong-Il’s regime was criticized InterCity, with Wars carriages being re- by the U.S. State Department. Groups such as the U.S.- moved early this year. Warsewicz claims based Freedom House also attacked the arrangement. the company made the best offer in the A Polish worker at a car accessories plant in the small tender and had to prove it is capable of town of Nachod, about 200 kilometers (130 miles) north of offering a better service than it has in Prague, told AFP earlier this year that the 82 North Korean the past. The company has undergone seamstresses working there received only half their wages restructuralization. – the rest was sent to the regime. To accommodate business travel, People In Need, a Czech charity and human rights group, PKP Intercity is also looking to develop condemned the practice back in January. “Times have its “hot spot” wireless connections at the changed, yet these people are no different from modern day major train stations within Poland. Plans slaves,” it said. are also being considered for making The number of North Koreans working abroad to payroll internet connection available within the the Pyongyang regime climbed to around 70,000 worldwide, trains themselves. All new carriages are according to a report from Radio Free Asia earlier this year. equipped with electrical sockets for lap- Their earnings are vital to the government because of a the krakow post (GUS) indicated the prices were 3.6 tor is globalization and how it affects tops and mobiles. foreign currency shortfall following UN sanctions, it said. percent higher than the prices for the Poland’s economy, increasing competi- The annual inflation indicator shows same time last year. tion within the local market and in the an increase to 3.6 percent in November. Within the one month, foodstuff telecommunication sector. Along with ANNOUNCEMENT Inflation stood at three percent in Octo- prices rose overall by 1.6 percent, com- food price and petrol price increases, ber. Analysts are predicting December pared to the previous month. housing costs have also risen within International Women’s will see a rise in prices as high as 3.7 to Vegetables prices rose by 10 per- the last month, affecting the inflation 4.1 percent. cent, rice by 3.4 percent and butter by index. According to the Inflation Report 3.3 percent. The November statistics show that Association of Krakow published in October 2007 by the Na- The overall rise in petrol prices also inflation has risen for the first time tional Bank of Poland and the Mon- indicated the increase in public trans- since 2005 above the average indicator etary Policy Council, the annual index port costs by 1.3 percent since October. that is accepted by the Monetary Policy of consumer goods and services prices According to economists, the current Council. The acceptable average in the has been steadily growing since 2006. inflation continues to be affected by inflation cap goal is 2.5 percent. The In 2007 inflation was subject to consid- two opposing trends. Council accepts sways in the indicator erable fluctuations – in August coming A rise in demands on the domestic up to 3.5 percent. down to 1.5 percent, and rebounding to market, a tighter labor market and an Inflation is predicted to be stablize www.iwak.pl 2.2 percent in September. increase in food prices all contribute to from April and drop down to 3.4 per- [email protected] The National Bureau of Statistics the overall price growth. The other fac- cent by the end of the year. DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 BUSINESS The Krakow Post 9 Two local banks merge Russia, Ukraine selling cheaper GDFL 1.2.:Piotr Brichacek GDFL coal in Poland

Grazyna Zawada brand, and investment funds outside Pekao Pekao S.A. now operates a bank that has Staff Journalist S.A. – exists now as a minor bank and is more than 5 mln retail clients, more than scheduled to merge with American GE 300,000 business clients and more than Two major Polish banks, Pekao S.A. and Money group next year. The new, larger 15,500 corporate clients. BPH S.A., have merged to form the biggest Pekao S.A is now governed from Vienna, The process of transferring all these cus- bank in Poland and in this part of Europe. as it belongs to HVB and UniCredit group, tomers into a new information technology The new bank, also called Pekao S.A. an Austrian-Italian banking group, but it system will begin in January. and formally created on Dec. 1, has assets seems that BPH S.A. is the bank with better Vice President of Pekao S.A, Luigi of about 120 bln zloty. results in acquiring clients, sales dynamics Lovaglio, pointed out that UniCredit is The value of the whole transaction is put and overall financial results. one of the three biggest banking groups in at 625.5 mln euro. According to data from the last three Europe. The new Pekao S.A. has the big- The entire merger process is to be com- weeks, only 3,000 customers decided to gest market capitalization in the region, pleted in the first quarter of 2008. Prior to close their accounts in BPH S.A. because 17.8 mln euro; the biggest fund value, the merger, BPH S.A. was divided into two they were unhappy with the merger. Em- 120.5 bln zloty, and a total of 68 bln zloty parts. The larger portion – consisting of 1.5 ployees of BPH were neither to encour- in loans. Lovaglio added that the new mln bank accounts, 285 banking branches, age nor to discourage clients from chang- Pekao S.A. is preparing marketing plans more than 300 partner agencies and more ing banks, and all of the employees were for clients, tailoring them to particular re- than 600 cash machines – was acquired by trained to introduce the Pekao proposal to gions. Pekao S.A. customers even before the merger. It is planned that new mortgage and re- the krakow post Andrzej Pawlaszek, director of the The remaining part of BPH S.A – name- Jan Bielecki, the president of Pekao tail loan offers will be presented in the first government-owned coal mining opera- ly 650,000 customers, 200 branches, a S.A., said that under one common emblem, quarter of the new year. Although coal mining is one of tion in Silesia, said he doesn’t believe Poland’s major industries, Russia and Polish power plants will use Russian Ukraine have begun selling coal in this Native English Teacher Top Management coal. With 16 mines, the Silesia opera- country. tion is Europe’s largest. Coal from those countries is cheaper, Although Russian coal companies’ MINI MINI and it also has lower sulfur content, so it extraction costs are lower than Pol- burns cleaner. The price break that Pol- ish companies, the Russians will have ish coal consumers are getting now is A school of English in M 31, University degree in to add transportation and safety costs, Krakow is looking for a engineering, 6 years likely to dry up, however, some Polish Pawleszek said. That means that “soon native English teacher. of top management coal operators predict. their costs will rise,” he said. The position is available experience in leading The Russians and Ukrainians plan But the Russians are sure to try to immediately for a period of companies in industrial cool- to make an all-out marketing assault grab the lucrative power-plant business. one year. ing, refrigerating sector. on Poland’s coal-burning power plants The individual should be In September, the Siberian Coal Energy Project management. Negotia- soon. Marketing & Sales enthusiastic and creative, Company set up a subsidiary in Poland. possession of a recognized tions. Prepare Russian and Ukrainian coal is ex- It is Russia’s largest producer and one Enthusiasts!!! teaching qualification technical solutions. Full scope tracted at a lower depth than in Poland, of the 10 biggest in the world. (CELTA/TEFL) and some of technical making it less expensive. The company plans to deliver about You are wanted! relevant previous experience support: pre-planning. PC. The daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita one million tons of coal in Poland over Contact: jerrybarrows@ in work with groups is said many Polish clients are signing up the next year. yahoo.com required. for coal from the east because of the So far, it has used Polish agents for We are currently looking for If you are interested in lower price. this vacancy or would like its sales. But in the beginning of 2008, “For me, price is the most important it plans to sell the coal directly. people to join our Marketing further information please Place a career resume here! do not hesitate to send [email protected] thing, so I would prefer Russian coal,” The company has affiliates or sub- & Sales team. said Janina Garbowska, who uses coal

your CV. RESUME sidiaries in Krasnoyarsk, Primorsky, to heat her house in Podkarpacie in Khabarovsk, Irkutsk, Chita, Kemerovo, Successful applicants will: eng_schoolkrakow@ southeast Poland. “However, in the area Buryatia and Khakassia. yahoo.com Business/Personal Assistant where I live, we have access only to In 2005, its stock value made the - enjoy the art of selling and Polish coal.” company worth $1.9 bln. meeting new people MINI Place a job offer here! - have a minimum of [email protected] Talented, experienced lady is one year of sales experience VACANCY looking for a job of - be communicative and Business/Personal Assistant (full- or part-time) Helper/Au-Pair flexible with a Degree in Philology, 10 years non-09:00-17:00 mentality experience in Western MINI companies. Very We are looking for a responsible, goal If you are interested, Helper/Au-Pair. Na- excellent organizational and tive English speaker interpersonal skills. please write to us: preferred. Please contact me at: [email protected] [email protected] aupair152krakow@ yahoo.com

Place a job offer here! Place a career resume here! [email protected] [email protected] VACANCY RESUME 10 The Krakow Post WARSAW DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 Photos of Warsaw employers need workers Maurycy Gomulicki

At the height of the Christmas shopping season, many of them are in need of temporary workers.

the krakow post ger willing to accept the pay offered, some Aleksander Kornatowski, deputy direc- say. tor of the Voivodship Employment Office, Warsaw as seen from the side of the street can be observed in the pages of Maurycy At the height of the Christmas shopping “Warsaw depraves and spoils people,” said the time when employers could domi- Gomulicki’s new photo album “W-WA.” season, many of them are in need of tem- said Piotr Malecki, co-owner of Tomiteks, nate the job market is over. porary workers. Job offers and “wanted” a chain of second-hand clothes shops. “In- Employers still offer the same wages as the krakow post In the album “W-WA” Gomulicki pres- notices are visible in shop windows all stead of hiring Warsaw citizens, we have two years ago, but the situation is different ents photos taken between 2000 and 2005. over Warsaw, as employers desperately to provide transport for our workers from now, he told Gazeta Wyborcza Stoleczna. Warsaw as seen from the side of the street He captures the details of the Warsaw search for bakers, waiters, shop assistants outside of the city.” Today Poles simply refuse to work for can be observed in the pages of Maurycy landscape: old neons, the configuration of and cooks. The problem is by no means restricted wages that do not allow them to provide Gomulicki’s new photo album “W-WA.” gray flagstones, the color of an old mosaic But such employees are hard to find to the capital. The situation is similar for their families. Gomulicki, born in 1969 in Warsaw, is a or characteristic forms of the modernistic – for many reasons. throughout the country. Redundancy no Thus, apparently the only thing em- graphic artist and photographer as well as architecture from the times of the Polish “We have been short of staff since the longer seems to be an issue, because since ployers can do to attract workers is in- the author of artistic installations and short People’s Republic. summer holidays,” Barbara Olejarczyk, joining the EU, Poland’s jobless rate has crease wages. film forms. Gomulicki focuses on the gray of the con- manager of Gobi delicatessen, told Gazeta declined significantly. According to the magazine “Puls Bi- He graduated from the Academy of Fine crete neighborhood with the green of urban Wyborcza Stoleczna. “People prefer to go According to Gazeta Prawna, the eco- znesu,” they already do, although reluc- Arts in Warsaw and continued his educa- lots and the metal of playground ladders. and work abroad.” nomic situation in Poland is favorable but tantly, as they fear increasing inflation. tion in Barcelona and Milan. By photographing geometrical and mini- Low wages paid in the Polish capital what might be a threat to it is the shortage But experts agree the employers’ flex- Gomulicki has presented his works at malistic shapes, Gomulicki skillfully de- are often cited for this exodus. Warsaw of workers and their unwillingness to ac- ibility and appropriate wages seem the numerous exhibitions in Warsaw and Lodz, picts the lyrical climate of the city, which workers know their worth and are no lon- cept just any job. only way out of the situation. Poland; Grenoble, Switzerland; Budapest, – after being 85 percent destroyed during Hungary; Osaka, Japan and Bratislava, World War II – was rebuilt in an eclectic Slovakia. and rather poor architectural style. In Mexico, he designed a network of The artist says that, for him, the most pink sex shops in the frames of the project important features in Warsaw are the “in- “MEXXXICO Erotica Shops.” The contro- Warsaw University friendly for disabled betweens” and “the power of details that versial artist is a grandson of Juliusz Wiktor count more in the formally reduced/limited Gomulicki, the Polish essayist and editor. the krakow post friendly university in Poland. reality.” The university provides learning support for Nearly 1000 students with a disability now visually impaired students through audio record- ANNOUNCEMENT study at Warsaw University (300 kilometers ings, sign language translators for hearing and north of Krakow), making it the most disability speaking impaired students and physical access CLASSICAL GUITAR MUSIC for wheel chairs. FOR TOP RESTAURANTS “Initially my professors and fellow students wondered how I would cope,” said Filip Zagon- czk a visually impaired student at Warsaw Uni- versity according to Gazeta.pl. “I don’t get pref- erential treatment and I take the same exams as my friends. This is all thanks to the university’s support for people with disabilities.” The university has an office dedicated to stu- dents with a disability and continues to reduce physical barriers from faculty buildings and stu- dent accommodation facilities. Wheel chair ac- cess has now become available to the old library Our repretoire of Spanish, since its renovation. Argentinian and Italian Lecture halls are numbered with braille classical music will create the doorplates to assist visually impaired students’ special ambience you need independent movement around the campus. to maximize your guests’ There is also specialized transport available to fine-dining experience. students requesting assistance to move between lectures. These measures make education available to Good rates and top quality. more Polish students based on their intellectual [email protected] merits irrespective of their physical abilities. Warsaw. DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 11 International women throw Waiting for ball, raise money for orphanage the krakow post training. The top item of the night was a flat women in our organization have worked the slopes screen television donated by Tesco. Other for charity since they were teenagers and The International Women’s Associa- high bids were made for a commissioned they want to continue it here,” explains tion of Krakow (IWAK) held their annual abstract painting by Andrenus O’Hara and Gosia Lalanne, the president of the asso- Monika Stumpo Korbielow is only 75 kilometers southwest Christmas Charity Ball at the Stary Hotel a guided tour by Konrad Oswiecimski. ciation. However, Lalanne says foreign- Staff Journalist of Krakow, Bialka Tatrzanska is 90 kilome- last Saturday. Over 80 guests attended the The guests then hit the dance floor after ers dedicated to helping charities often ters south of Krakow and Krynica is a little lavish, black-tie gala dinner and dance that the auction and raffles closed and partied face disbelief and mistrust from a skeptical Krakow is obsessed with skiing. After the over 113 kilometers southeast. A day pass in brought together people from international into the early hours of Sunday morning. community. first snow, trains and busses become crowded Koribelow costs 65 zloty. In Bialka Tatrzan- ska the visitor can buy a day pass for 60 zloty business and politics, with a connection to This year’s IWAK’s Annual Ball raised “Many people find it suspicious that a with skiers and snowboarders and their equip- or a day and night pass for 70 zloty. Krynica, Krakow. As every year, the members of the 19,760 zloty which is a great success. The foreigner wants to work hard for no money. ment. The entire city is on pins and needles every fall waiting for the slopes to open. which is the biggest resort, offers a day pass organization and their guests gathered to association awards the proceeds to differ- This is something new in Polish society,” The most popular ski-slope in Poland is for 85 zloty, which can also be split into support the association’s charity initiatives ent recipients each year. This year IWAK she adds. Yet, most institutions gladly ac- Kasprowy Wierch, the only slope that can morning and afternoon passes. These slopes by bidding in live and silent auctions and has chosen the Jana Brzechwy Children’s cept financial help. compete with Alpine skiing. Kasprowy is in are especially appealing for snowboarders trying their luck in a raffle. Home to be the beneficiary of the ball. The members of the Association are The guests enjoyed an excellent dinner, Zakopane, a thriving tourist town, located because each has its own snow park equipped IWAK is a non-profit, multicultural, aware of the fact that, as expatriates, they with half pipes, which Kasprowy lacks. interrupted by the arrival of unexpected but 105 kilometers south of Krakow in the Tatar social and family oriented organization, enjoy a privileged lifestyle in Krakow and Zakopane-life is a Krakow based English always welcome guest – Santa Claus – who Mountains. The visitor may take ul. Zako- gathering women from the international they feel it’s their responsibility to use piasnka from Podgorze in Krakow to Zako- language company that acts as a guide around kindly agreed to lead the auction. Santa community in Krakow. The association their time, talents and resources to help pane. The traffic backed up on “Zakopianka” Zakopane. Their web site (Zakopane-life. skillfully encouraged guests to part with provides a wide range of interest groups, others. is infamous, especially during peak season. com) has a wide range of information from their money and bid on the various items social events and activities for expatriates “It’s important that people understand The road is heavily traveled and often under booking hotels to where to go eat or have a IWAK members put up for auction. The list and their families. Charity is another im- that immigrants actually do something construction since it is the only one to Zako- drink. It also has information about the ski included a reflexology and hot stone thera- portant part of the organization’s mission. good. We don’t come here to steal people’s pane from Krakow. Trains for Zakopane de- conditions and other attractions in Zakopane. py, brunch voucher, henna painting session, “There is a lot of need in Krakow. It is jobs or live ‘better lives’. We are here also part regularly several times a day. The trip, If the visitor wishes to spend New Year’s Eve Indian cooking lesson, and Ashanga Yoga a human tradition to help others. A lot of to help,” said Lalanne. however, can take up to four hours. in Zakopane, reservations need to be made Once in town, the visitor needs to go to months ahead. At this point in the season, Kuznice, the base station, in order to take the finding a hotel is almost impossible. remarkable 70-year-old suspended railway There are many other resorts in the area cabin to the upper ski station that sits 1,959 which have a lot to offer. meters above sea level. A great source of all available resorts in Anglo- The railway cabin was built in 1937 by the Poland as well as in the Czech Republic and locals of Zakopane and until this year’s mod- Slovakia is the annual Ski Atlas (“Atlas narci- ernization project had remained unchanged. arski-Czechy, Polska, Slowacja.”) This is a wonderful way to see the breathtak- Each resort is described in detail. The atlas Dutch ing views of the Tatar Mountains. Unfortu- is available at all major book stores. nately, the line for the ride can take anywhere What about equipment? All the larger from forty minutes to several hours. resorts offer rentals both for skis and snow- “The line is nothing compared to what it boards. If the visitor doesn’t want to rent Xmas was 20 years ago when Kasprowy was the equipment at the slopes, buying equipment in only slope in Poland,” remembers Wojciech Krakow is relatively easy. Szerszen. “The ticket office would open at If the visitor’s relationship with skis/snow- 07:00 and by 07:30 all the tickets would be board is so strong that he/she brought them to sold. After you hiked up the mountain, there Krakow, it may be worthwhile to give them a Ball in check-up before hitting the slopes. was another two-hour wait in line for the lift. You would be lucky if you got to ski down There are a lot of shops where the visito twice.” can buy equipment or prepare for the season. The ride now costs 38 zloty and the wait The people who work there are fanatics and Krakow is still quite long. The hike is about two and know what they’re talking about. a half hours. “If I have to wait in line for an The gigantic “SNOWBOARD” sign on the krakow post hour or longer and pay 40 zloty to go up, I’d Plac Inwalidow, although not subtle, does rather hike it,” says Pawel Hydzik, a student make its point. Break-dancing Santas, bewigged 70s of Krakow’s Economics University. He tries There is a decent snowboard shop in the disco dancers, bekilted bagpipers, choco- to get out on the slopes every free weekend building which also does surface renovation. late fountains and fireworks. These were and used to ski competitively before he came The guys at “3 Style Sport” will repair skis just some of the treats served up at the An- to Krakow. When asked if it’s worth all of the but not without a little teasing about one’s glo-Dutch Christmas Ball in Krakow. trouble, Pawel simply answers: “Kasprowy choice of winter sport. Without a doubt, these On Dec. 8, within the wonderful set- is amazing.” guys will put the visitor in the right frame of mind for a good road trip. ting of the Tomaszowice Manor House, Once the visitor has reached the top, one way or another, there are two trails, Gasieni- If casual last year’s scene, then “Wind- British, Dutch and Polish business com- cowa and Goryczykowa. Gasienicowa is a sport” on ul. Zakopianska and “Sport Service” munities danced the night away in a wild 352-meter run, while Goryczykowa is almost on ul. Grunwaldzka are also great places and evening of extravagance, which mixed twice as long. A day pass costs 80 zloty but a little more professional. These are of course dance styles and Christmas traditions from thankfully both are equipped with lifts and not the only places that sell equipment. Many around the world. the wait isn’t two hours long anymore. other small shops around town as well as the On arrival, guests were greeted by spar- Although Kasprowy is still the most popu- chains Decathlon and Intersport are more kling snow angels, English mince pies and lar and is regarded by many as the only real than happy to fix visitors up. mulled wine; at midnight, as fireworks ski slope in Poland, it doesn’t rank as the best The equipment sold in these ski shops can filled the sky, Dutch oliebollen. In between, in a recent study by the Katowice School of cost a small fortune. This is why so many rely a gourmet meal was accompanied by a fine Economics. Korbielow, Krynica and Bialka on the ski swap. There is a ski swap in Rotun- selection of wines, bourbons and speciality Tatrzanska are ranked as the top three ski da Cultural Center every Saturday and Sun- vodkas, a spectacular chocolate fountain resorts. The study took into account, among day from mid-November to March. The swap and a mountain of Dutch cheeses. other aspects, the length of the slopes, the takes place in a 2,500-square-meter area and A charity raffle raised almost 5,000 zlo- number of ski lifts, whether the slopes were the visitor can buy anything and everything ty for Krakow’s Community Youth Clubs, lighted and general comfort. needed to enjoy the Polish ski season. which will send over 200 children on a

variety of much-deserved trips – an excur- krako w pos t .com sion to the Tatras, to the cinema, to the the- atre and to an adventure playground. The ball was organized by South Po- land Business Link on behalf of the Brit- ish Polish Chamber of Commerce and The Netherlands Business Support Office.

Quality Accommodation for Less TOURNETTOURNET GuestGuest Rooms

ul. Miodowa 7 Kazimierz District, Krakow Tel.: (0) 12 292-0088 www.accommodation.krakow.pl new year’s eve party great menu, great fun for 350 pln tel.: +48 (0) 12 292-8020 email: [email protected] ul. jagiellonska 5 12 The Krakow Post KRAKOW DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 Krakow to build Guggenheim Museum

Barbara Bajak sponds enthusiastically to the concepts of for a Guggenheim museum,” Kwiatkowski 100 candidates globally), Krakow has many Staff Journalist its director, Thomas Krens. said. “It would add some modernity to the assets. It is a culturally prestigious location His commercial success results from a city’s historical value.” and an attractive site, already one of the rap- Krakow to build Guggenheim Museum? business-wise approach. Kwiatkowski has prepared arguments idly developing cities of Europe. Guggenheim is a name known worldwide Krens is creating an international network and a plan of actions. First, he enlisted the As in Bilbao, Krakow authorities would for its art museums. Now a resident of Kra- of museums with sizable amounts of money help of attorney Tomasz Bobrowski, who be responsible for a building and its op- GDFL-1:MykReeve kow would like to build a Guggenheim in being spent on promotion. His pioneering now officially manages the project. They eration while the foundation would supply his city. In 1937, American philanthropist ideas have transformed the Guggenheim in- succeeded in gaining support of the city of- showpieces. Solomon R. Guggenheim founded the Mu- stitution into something closer to a prosper- ficials. With Poland being a new EU member, seum of Non-Objective Art (a type of ab- ous and rapidly expanding company. The city’s mayor, Jacek Majchrowski, there is also a possibility that a large part stract art) in New York City. Kerns is not without his critics. They ac- was at first skeptical about the proposal but of the construction costs could come from Four years later, he commissioned re- cuse him of “McDonaldizing” the art cul- now has a positive attitude. EU resources. nowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to ture. Displays of BMW motorcycles and Krakow could benefit enormously from a However, the opportunity may be lost design a new exhibition hall for modern art. Armani suits have been condemned as serv- museum. The economical advantages from unless action is taken quickly, as the EU The design originally was viewed as so ing solely commercial purposes. The showy such a major cultural investment have been budget is being planned for coming years audacious that it was ridiculed by both the architecture of the Guggenheim museums is called the “Bilbao Effect.” and the potential money will continue to art world and the general public. said to overshadow the exhibitions. The building of the Bilbao Guggenheim dwindle. In 1951, Guggenheim Museum in Man- Five Guggenheim museums have been in Spain transformed a shabby industrial A partnership proposal for Guggenheim hattan was finally completed, and today it is built: in New York, Venice, Berlin, Las Basque city into a thriving world-famous was signed by Mayor Majchrowski and sent one of the most famous such institutions in Vegas and Bilbao. In 2006 the foundation landmark filled with luxury restaurants and out in June 2007. But it was addressed to the the world with its building being one of the signed an agreement to build a museum in designer shops. wrong organization. most admired and recognizable. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab The Guggenheim concept has had some It was received by Edward Hirsch, chair- The bold architectural tradition continues Emirates. The idea to build a Guggenheim failures, however. man of the Simon Guggenheim Foundation to this day with other Guggenheim muse- museum in Krakow is the brainchild of Financial problems became insurmount- that grants fellowships to advanced profes- ums in the world being designed by top- Zbigniew Kwiatkowski, a Krakow resident able obstacles to building museums in sionals in different fields. Hirsch did express class architects. and a fervent traveler. Taiwan, Rio de Janeiro, and Guadalajara, his fondness towards Krakow, explained the The Guggenheim Museum Foundation “I studied the foundation strategy and Mexico. Kwiatkowski stresses that despite mistake and promised to deliver the mes- boasts a body of wealthy trustees that re- thought Krakow would be a perfect place stiff competition for a museum (more than sage to appropriate address. Krakow to have new marketing strategy Agata Kolomyjska and cultural events. According to Mateusz especially in information technology and Staff Journalist Zmyslony of the Eskadra PR group, Kra- outsourcing sectors. kow needs one, widely recognizable event, “Krakow is not exactly what we call an After years of promoting Krakow as a which it now lacks. economic tiger,” Zmyslony said. “It would city of wild parties, authorities have de- Also, he says, Krakow should encourage be good to show it as a city with economic cided to switch the focus to cultural events bold projects and young, talented, indepen- potential.” and high-tech advancement. dent (underground) artists. A new promotional slogan for Krakow The new marketing strategy aims at at- Izabela Helbin of the Promotion Bureau will be chosen to be advertised worldwide. tracting more refined and sophisticated says her organization will sponsor fewer Some of the possibilities are “Krakow. visitors. projects, but the chosen ones will get much Genius Loci,” “Krakow. The City,” “Kra- The creators of the new promotional more money. kow. Form and Content” and “Krakow. Big strategy – Eskadra PR group and the Pro- “We can’t split the funds and support Idea.” motion Department of Krakow City Coun- every project because they will never turn “The main idea is to attract intelligent cil – based their approach on experiences into anything spectacular,” Helbin said. “It people,” Zmyslony said. “Even if they of other Polish and European cities, espe- is necessary that we choose several events won’t understand ‘genius loci‘ immedi- cially Barcelona but also Prague, Vienna, and focus on them.” ately, they’ll quickly look it up in a diction- Wroclaw and Warsaw. The authors of the new marketing strate- ary.” Guidelines for the new strategy have gy hope that promoting Krakow as a city of Helbin tried to dispel any doubts about been discussed with representatives of cul- advanced technologies will help attract cli- the feasibility of the plan by noting that the tural institutions, catering businesses, tour- ents from upper-income brackets and catch city has boosted the marketing budget by ism organizations and local media. the attention of business people to boost 30 percent next year. “Everything can be The new strategy will promote festivals conferences and encourage investments, done,” Helbin said.

Peter Greenway in Krakow. DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 ARTS & IDEAS The Krakow Post 13 Idea behind window of Xmas traditions life for orphans debated the krakow post thrive in Poland Another infant has been left at Krakow’s the krakow post Dishes served in Poland on this day include “Window of Life.” Brought to the “Window”

LUK Agency LUK borsht with “uszka” and carp. on Dec. 4, the baby was immediately taken Christmas is a major event on the Christian Borsht is a vegetable soup from Eastern Eu- to the Neonatology Clinic of the College of calendar especially in Poland where the Catholic rope, with beetroot as its main ingredient and Medicine at Jagiellonian University. Church’s presence stems back to the 10th Century. “uszka” meaning “little ears” in Polish, which are “The baby is in good condition,” said Dr. Christmas traditions in Poland are often thought small dumplings usually filled with mushrooms. Dorota Pawlik of the Neonatology Clinic. “It to be timeless, though some are more recent than Carp is a traditional fish which Polish people eat is a nice boy. Now he is undergoing an ex- expected. Four weeks before Christmas, the pro- almost exclusively on Christmas evening. amination.” cess of the celebration called advent begins. The Following the supper, Polish families migrate The boy is the fourth baby to be left at the name derives from the Latin for “coming,” and to their local church for midnight mass, Pasterka. “Window of Life,” established almost two denotes the period in which Christians prepare for The first occurrence of “Pasterka” is recorded in years ago at the Sisters of the Nazarene con- the Nativity of Christ. It is a very old tradition the time of Pope Gregory I in the 6th Century. vent. The other three children – two girls and practiced in Poland since its conversion. Over the next two days, Poles flock to build and a boy – are already adopted. It is popular among Poles during this period view nativity scenes, believed to have been initi- to attend a dawn mass called “roraty.” People at- ated by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 5th Century. The boy found on Dec. 4 was wrapped in a tend the mass with candles or lampoons – espe- The most popular living nativity scene in Krakow blanket containing a picture of Saint Michael cially children. The Christmas Eve meal is a cher- can be found on Christmas Day at the Franciscan the Archangel and a piece of paper with the ished tradition in Poland with its roots in ancient Church. words “Gaspar, I am sorry. I love you. Mom. Rome’s Saturnalia celebration. Begun in the 18th And of course what is Christmas without sing- The “Window of Life” is a place where Century and adopted throughout Poland in the ing Christmas carols? The first Polish Christmas new parents can anonymously and safely 20th Century, families fast all day before coming carol comes from 1424. Today, there are over 500 bring newborns. together in the evening to eat a 12-course meal. Polish carols. Located on ul. Przybyszewskiego 39, the heated, ventilated baby room has a window which can be opened from the outside. After the window is opened to deposit an infant, an alarm sounds to alert the nuns at New Year’s Eve in Krakow the convent. “The Window of Life” is an initiative of the Family Department of Metropolitan Cu- the krakow post holding parties. ria and Caritas of Krakow’s Archdiocese. In hotels and restaurants, guests can have The idea is not a new one. Krakow is getting ready to say goodbye to classy balls with elaborate menus and live mu- In the 18th Century in Warsaw, “the home 2007 with its annual New Year’s Eve party on sic with prices averaging between 200 to 300 of foundlings” was established by a French- Rynek Glowny. But this is not the only way to zloty per couple, up to 500 zloty or more at the born priest, Gabriel Peter Baudouin. spend this magic night in Krakow. higher end of the market. It is recommended to The home’s gate had a hole containing a Last year’s Krakow Council New Year’s reserve early, with many events booked a year trough. The baby was placed in the container, party expenses reached 1.5 bln zloty. This year’s in advance. a string was pulled to move the container in- sum has not been released due to commercial If revellers miss out on getting tickets to a pri- sider and a bell rang to summon someone to confidentiality, but it is expected to be higher vate function, there are always boundless clubs retrieve the infant. still. Krakow Council in association with Pol- and pubs offering simple fare and entertainment The home existed until the end of World sat television is holding a party for an estimated on the night. Yet, there is no guarantee of entry War II. Currently Warsaw has a Little Child 140,000 people in the town square. Musical en- with Krakowian’s overflowing passion for the Home on ul. Nowogrodzka 75. tertainment will vary from the hits of the 60s to night, as the Forum hotel student’s party for “‘The Window of Life’ was established present ones performed by popular Polish artists 1,000 being booked out within weeks bearings to take note of a problem of babies thrown such as Budka Suflera and Bajm. testimony. on the scrap heap,” said Bogdan Kordula, a “Some people seem puzzled when they see “Right before New Year’s Eve, we start get- priest. the diversity of artists billed to perform at this ting information from the clubs who want to Mothers who hide their pregnancy and do year’s party. We want people of all generations advertise their parties with our web site,” said not want to give birth at hospital can leave to have fun, that’s why it’s rather a multigenera- Maciej Ochalek from www.knajpy.krakow.pl, a the baby in “The Window of Life” without tional event,” said Maja Drexler from Krakow’s pub and clubbing portal. “Some clubs even call any legal consequences. Festival Bureau. “People from all over Poland us to cancel their ads before the reservation rush “Unfortunately, giving up an infant with- look forward to the event.” starts, as they’re already booked out.” out resigning parents’ rights lengthens the The party begins at 20:00 and continues For those looking for something different this adoption procedure. However, we must re- through until 01:30. People with disabilities and year, there is the underground ball at Wieliczka member that there is a child’s life at stake. their caregivers are catered to, with a special area Salt Mine’s ball room. The venue is 125 meters It is better for the infant to find a new family set aside near the stage. For safety reasons, there underground with dinner, music and entertain- than die.” are over 800 private security personnel on hand, ment provided by Piwnica pod Baranami cabaret Beata Stawiarska, chairman of the Public along with police and city security staff. artists. Then again, revellers can enter the New Adoption Protection Center in Krakow, says there without any legal consequences. difficult for a hospital to provide the same At midnight, Mayor Majchrowski will wel- Year with a splash at Park Wodny aqua park in the idea of “The Window of Life” is wrong. After leaving the baby, a mother has up to privacy. come in the New Year with fellow Krakowians a Jacuzzi. She says it should not be made easier for a six weeks to make a final decision. Still, leaving a baby in “The Window” is followed by an enlightening show of fireworks. Outside of Krakow, revellers can begin the mother to abandon her baby. If she decides to give up the baby, it will be an extreme situation, the last hope for un- Special buses and trams have been made avail- New Year with a high in Zakopane with a fire- Giving up a baby anonymously is not a put up for adoption. wanted children who were not left at a hospi- able to deliver revelers home after the event. works show on Gubalowka Mountain. Hotels, crime in Poland. Before a woman decides to But the main goal of the Nazaretanki nuns, tal. And so the Nazaretanki nuns make their For those who prefer to stay indoors and pensions or karcma (folklore inns) will have take such a step, she can get professional psy- and the reason for “The Window of Life,” is appeal: “All the mothers who cannot bring enjoy the festivities from the comfort of their food and folk music on hand before their sleigh chological care at the Adoption Center. to save a child from a terrible death. And for up your children– do not kill them, do no armchair, Polsat television will be providing ride through the mountains to share the moment A baby left in “The Window of Life” has some desperate women, the cloak of ano- not throw them on the scrap heaps, please. live coverage throughout the night. The full list with someone special. no birth certificate and no identity. nymity is important. Leave them here in ‘The Window of Life.’ of artists performing on the night is available at: “We expect around 200,000 people in Za- Not all mothers know that after giving The convent is not visually monitored, Let them be adopted. Give them a chance for www.biurofestiwalowe.pl. kopane during that time,” said Regina Watycka birth to a baby in a hospital, they may leave it and it is located on a quiet street. It is more life and love.” All around Krakow, the city comes alive on from Zakopane’s Promotion Bureau. the big night with restaurants, pubs and hotels

EPE Translations FOR PERMANENT, English - Polish - English TEMPORARY AND CONTRACT STAFF Agency providing translation services for IN IRELAND & UK companies working in multicultural environment as well as for private individuals. l Ireland Deliver standard, technical and sworn tel: (00353) 45 883420 translations at competitive prices. e-mail: [email protected] Also provide interpreters located in Ireland, UK and Poland. l Manchester, UK tel: (0044) 0 161 9090050 Check out www.epetranslations.com e-mail: [email protected] krakowpost.com tel: (0048) (0) 12 4212300 www.issrecruitment.com 14 The Krakow Post KATOWICE DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 Silesian Border Guards learn sign language Kinga Rodkiewicz “During the course, we have shake them quickly. And when Zone with the Czech Republic, Staff Journalist learned how to recognize the we ask for the documents, we Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, imposters,” said Anna Dolecka, put our hands in a way simi- Latvia and Lithuania. Fifty border guards from a participant in the course. “A lar to an open book and then The Schengen agreement Silesia will learn sign language person who is truly deaf doesn’t we imitate stamping it,” Agata means that Poles will no longer during a 60-hour course. look around. He only looks at Tanska, director of the Special have to present identity docu- With that knowledge they the questioner’s face, because Center for the Deaf in Raciborz, ments at the borders of all the will be able to recognize the he tries to read the lip move- told the newspaper Dziennik Za- “old” EU member states, except difference between people who ments.” chodni. for the UK and Ireland. are deaf or hearing impaired and Sign language uses manual Guards who have taken the However, even if the border smugglers and others who try to communication, body language course are enthusiastic. checks disappear, border guards deceive the guards. and lip patterns instead of sound “We have received the sign will continue to patrol the near- According to the daily news- to convey meaning — simulta- alphabet on special boards. It by roads. paper Dziennik Zachodni, the neously combining hand shapes, isn’t very difficult, and for sure “In this work, we will also guards often encounter travelers orientation and movement of the it will be useful in our work,” meet with deaf people,” Maj. who have illegal passports and hands, arms or body, and facial said Magdalena Rachuba, a Cezary Zaborski told Dzien- who pretend to be foreigners expressions to express fluidly a course participant. nik Zachodni. “That’s why the who are unable to answer ques- speaker’s thoughts. Knowledge of sign language guards should know how to be- tions. Often, Polish smugglers “To say ‘please,’ we place will continue to be useful even have to avoid needless misun- use the same method. our hands as if to pray and twice when Poland joins the Schengen derstandings and conflicts.” MUSIC TRAIN Elektrowoz music train the krakow post

Taking the music to the mass- es Elektrowoz Festival toured through Katowice to Krakow in December with the entertainment never leaving the tracks. Elektrowoz Festival is a multi- platform event taking place in Ty- chy, Katowice and Krakow with a program of performing and vi- sual arts targeted at young people. Rather than young people going to cultural venues, the organizers have decided to bring the cultural event to them via rail. The line-up included RG Boys, Me Myself and BTR, Clapham, South and Tropain from the alter- nate music scene. Jon Kennedy from the UK headlined the event with his fusion of funk, soul and hip-hop sounds. “It’s all about the feel of each track. I’m not really trying to create a specific sound of my own or break new boundar- ies. It’s still a learning process for me. I try to interpret what’s in my head through sounds. Ultimately, I suppose, the drum patterns shape the feel of each track, what ever happens from then on in is a pretty organic process,” said Kennedy. Kennedy was joined by local rising star Wojciech Kucharczyk promoting his current psycho- funk project “The Complainer.” Photographer Anna Rozmus from the Polish daily Polska also partic- ipated in the event with her “From Light to Shadow” exhibition.

ARKA NOEGO All your favorite Our restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in Kazimierz. www. articles online! We serve all kinds of Jewish cuisine, based mostly on local recipes. Come to enjoy delicious Jewish dishes.

Live klezmer music every night at 20:00. Open daily: 09:00-02:00 krakowpost

ul. Szeroka 2 +48 (12) 4291528 [email protected] .com www.arka-noego.pl DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS The Krakow Post

BUILDING & REPAIR

ANGLO-POLISH EXPERT BUILDERS Specialists in Interior Renovations. Quality, Efficiency and Reliability. In Poland and Across Europe. References Available. Please Call: +48 608-849-189 WOODEN HOMES

Companies wanted who can built wooden houses in Western Europe. [email protected] APARTMENT FOR RENT MEDICAL SERVICES

Medical Service for Foreigners +48 609-201-372. Since 1990.

GUITAR CATERING Are you looking for classical guitar music for your restaurant or gathering. Spanish, Argentinian and Italian classical music. [email protected]

EDITING SERVICES Need help editing your English-language texts? Write: [email protected] PRIVATE LESSONS Lessons in English with native speakers – journalists. Improve your conversation skills and grammar through reading, ana- lyzing and discussing interesting articles. Decent rates. [email protected] Learn Russian from native speaker in Kra- kow. [email protected]

NETWORKING A Dutch businessman is looking to meet fellow countrymen based in Krakow and the region for networking, chatting and generally being cheap together. Write: [email protected] Looking for Russian speakers to hang out, talk, have a good time. Please write me at: [email protected]

Searching for lonely depressed people who are questioning the meaning of life. [email protected]

Taxis

Looking for Car Rental individuals interested in investing in a growing successful media business in Poland.

Write: alec_news@ mail.ru

CALL TO ADVERTISE: Andrzej Kowalski, 37 Mogilska St. Marketing Manager Tel.: (0) 12 411-7441 +48 (0) 798-683-160 Cell: (0) 506-698-745 Krakow’s top night club offers the most beautiful escorts in town. In-house and outcall. Professionalism and safety guaranteed. Open: Mon-Sat: 11:00-06:00 Sun: 20:00-06:00