The Krakow Post

NO. 16 WWW.KRAKOWPOST.COM AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 WEEKLY Malopolska bursting with EU funds

The beautiful Niepolomice castle, 25 kilometers from Krakow, dates back to the Renaissance. With sensible use of EU funds, it was converted into a hotel and conference center. PHOTO/LUK Agency

THIS WEEK Alicja Natkaniec Malopolskie Province. The region will get fastest-growing areas of the economy in clude energy-management, waste-manage- STAFF JOURNALIST 7.7 percent of the 16.5 bln euro that Poland recent years. About 100 mln euro of EU ment and wastewater-treatment programs. will receive money will go toward developing tourism EU money will also provide grants to Ex-007 to advertise Malopolska Province has passed an im- The infusion of EU money may rev up businesses and services, and promoting small and medium-sized businesses. The portant test in its quest to win 1.29 bln euro the economy in a way that the Malopolska tourism. idea is to foster innovation and help these Polish suits, shirts in economic-development money from the Region has never seen before. For the first time the region will spend a enterprises increase their competitiveness. Pierce Brosnan will be the face EU. The Integrated Regional Operational sizable chunk of EU money – about 93 mln of Vistula & Wolczanka S.A., a The European Commission has signed Program set nine economic-development euro – on “green” projects. These will in- See MALOPOLSKA on Page 12 off on the province’s development plan, priorities. Polish company that manufactures known as the Integrated Regional Opera- The biggest amount – almost 400 mln high-end men’s suits and shirts 3 tional Program. euro, or 30 percent of the total – will be for The EU’s European Regional Develop- roads and public transport. The road work ment Fund is helping to finance develop- will involve both new construction and the Next direction for ment in Malopolska and every other prov- redoing of existing routes but also enhanc- ince in Poland. ing economic activity of this sector. migration: Holland The European Commission’s approval of Another big chunk of the EU money Malopolska’s development plan means the – more than 160 mln euro – will go toward Since opening its doors to work- province and the local governments within improving the educational system, espe- ers from new EU member states it will get 1.29 bln euro for development be- cially helping to develop an information – Poles have been stampeding tween 2007 and 2013. That is an average of society. house of entertainment Holland’s borders 4 215 mln euro a year. Schools will be able to apply for grants to The EU gave the region 185 mln euro refurbish their facilities, add resources such the best entertainment in Krakow between 2004 and 2006, or about 92.5 mln as libraries and add or replace equipment. piano bar a year. Schools and other public institutions will Skyline in Katowice So the new figure is 2.5 times more than be part of a project known as eCitizen. Its live-music sessions the EU has ever committed to the region. objective will be to develop a public-sector bring card – get prize gets bigger and better Malopolska is the third of Poland’s 16 information-technology infrastructure that provinces to win EU approval for its devel- allows more public-sector access to the In- HOTEL NOVOTEL, ul. Armii Krajowej 11 The highest Silesia Office Tower Tel.: +48 (0) 12 636-0807 skyscraper will join Altus as the opment plan. “For us, this is a historical mo- ternet and helps develop IT services. ment,” said Marek Nawara, the governor of Another priority is tourism, one of the region’s tallest building 11 2 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007

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

Ukraine president halts all privatization deals Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko Lawmakers to settle snap Monday announced a freeze on a sweep- ing privatization program of state-run firms ahead of legislative elections next month, saying the deals could be shady. “During this period which is sensitive from a political point of view, it is not elections issue in September worth our while to initiate or organize” fresh privatization schemes, he told a news conference. Yushchenko had earlier during In a step towards an early ballot, the four remaining Samoobrona and LPR ministers were his presidency said he would review priva- tization schemes undertaken during the re- sacked from the cabinet last week, marking the end of Warsaw’s fractious government gime of his predecessor Leonid Kuchma. agence france-presse an impasse by dissolving the assembly er than 45 days after the Sejm’s decision. minister fired Lepper after corruption “I am absolutely convinced that the ex- and calling early elections. However, the rules are more complicated allegations which Lepper dismissed as a ecutive and the State Property Fund are Poland’s parliament will decide next Observers had expected Poland’s MPs if lawmakers leave it up to the president shabby smear attempt. not capable of executing an impartial and month whether to approve snap elections to tackle the issue when they returned to act, and that would push elections back In a penultimate step towards an early objective privatization,” said the pro-West- which the government and opposition say from their summer recess. to November 4 or 18, Dorn said. ballot, the four remaining Samoobrona ern president, who is at loggerheads with are needed to end a political crisis, a top Lawmakers had likewise been tipped Poland’s political woes stem in part and LPR ministers were sacked from the his Moscow-backed Prime Minister Viktor official said early this week. to deal with a motion from the failure of the cabinet last week, marking the formal Yanukovych. The government wants to put Speaker Ludwik Dorn told reporters of no confidence in Kaczynskis’ party, Law end of Warsaw’s fractious government up state-run giants and initiate a “scramble that the 460-member lower house, the Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s Speaker Ludwik Dorn told and Justice (PiS), to and creating a new PiS minority admin- for the spoils” before the polls, Yushchenko Sejm, would decide at its September cabinet, but Deputy reporters that the 460- win a majority in the istration. PiS and PO together have 281 said, adding that he was opposed to the sale 7 sitting whether to dissolve itself two Speaker Bronislaw member lower house, the 2005 elections. seats in the Sejm, so to hit the two-thirds of the Odessa Port Factory. years ahead of schedule. Komorowski, a mem- PiS narrowly beat mark they will need to muster support for Ukraine’s State Property Fund is plan- If a dissolution motion fails to win the ber of the liberal oppo- Sejm, would decide at its PO that year, and opted dissolution from 26 MPs from other par- ning to put up 99.52 percent of the Odessa necessary support of two thirds of MPs, sition Civic Platform September 7 sitting whether to set up a minority ties, several of which are nervous about Port Factory for sale at an auction set for Dorn said he would ask President Lech (PO), said that that to dissolve itself two years government after fail- snap elections because of poor opinion October 29. The minimum bid has been Kaczynski to consider the “alternative would likewise be held ing to form a coalition poll ratings. fixed at $500 mln (370.8 mln euro). In solution.” over until September. ahead of schedule. with the liberals. Early elections would also be a gamble March, the body sold a locomotive factory That would entail the head of state ac- Earlier this month, In May 2006, PiS for PiS, because recent polls have shown in the country’s east for $58 mln. The deal cepting the resignation of Poland’s cur- the Kaczynskis and PO agreed that early bolstered the cabinet by bringing in the it would get 24 percent of the vote while was criticized as shady both by the presi- rent minority government led by his twin elections were needed to end government populist Samoobrona (Self-Defense) PO would receive 33 percent, which, un- dent and some sections of the media. brother, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kacz- infighting, and suggested that Poles could and far-right League of Polish Families der the Polish system, could be enough to In the first quarter of the year privatiza- ynski, said Dorn, a long-standing ally of return to the ballot box on October 21, (LPR). The three-party government col- form a majority government. tion sales have netted only $60 mln against the Kaczynskis. only two years after they were last called lapsed in September 2006 after a bitter Two years ago, however, PiS was able the state’s target of $2 bln for the whole “The current parliament has lost its out to vote. policy battle between Jaroslaw Kaczyn- to overturn PO’s lead thanks to a hard hit- year. (AFP) reason for being, because it is incapable The October plan could still bear fruit ski and Deputy Premier Andrzej Lepper, ting campaign focusing on fighting cor- Fitch downgrades Latvia of producing a majority government,” even if lawmakers only agree in Septem- the leader of Samoobrona. ruption. Dorn said. Under Poland’s constitution, ber to dissolve parliament, because Polish It was revived three weeks later, but fi- The next elections were not officially over overheating fears the president is empowered to end such law says elections must take place no lat- nally fell to pieces in July when the prime due until late 2009. International ratings agency Fitch said late last week that it had downgraded Lat- via’s credit status, blaming a government failure to tackle the growing risk of econom- ic overheating in the Baltic state. Fitch said in a statement that it was lower- ing its long-term foreign and local currency Poland expects price increase on ratings for Latvia’s debt to BBB+ and A- re- spectively, from the previous A- and A. “The Latvian economy is severely over- heating and Fitch considers the policy reac- tion of the government to be insufficient to flour, bread, macaroni and meat restore the economy to a sustainable growth path,” said David Heslam, a Fitch specialist on the ex-Communist bloc, in a statement. Expensive grain means expensive feed for pigs and poultry. Prices of pork and poultry are already rising. Latvia has experienced rapid growth since regaining independence from the So- And farmers are withholding their wheat from the market, believing that the price hike will continue... viet Union in 1991 – last year the economy the krakow post world markets. Elsewhere in the world, only grew by 11.9 percent, the fastest rate since Argentina and the U.S. had good harvests. independence. The GDP figures put Latvia Poland finds itself in the ironic situation Not doing so well were New Zealand, at the top of the growth league table in the of dealing with rising grain prices in the Australia, China, India and Canada. In the 27-member EU, which the Baltic state joined midst of a bountiful harvest. European market, the biggest competitors three years ago. But runaway growth has For years, the daily newspaper Gazeta for Polish wheat exports will be America been accompanied by high inflation, which Wyborcza reported, wheat prices have tra- and Argentina. Poland will have the price is edging ever closer to double figures. Last ditionally peaked when the previous year’s advantage, however, because of lower ship- week, figures from Latvia’s national statis- crop was being depleted and before the new ping costs. tics bureau showed that 12-month inflation crop was reported. Expensive wheat will likely increase the had reached 9.5 percent in July, the highest The current high prices for cereal and price of flour. rate for 10 years. (AFP) grain products are the result of a below-av- Specialists say it will go up about 15 per- U.S. hands Lithuanian sen- erage harvest in 2006-2007. cent. The price of flour in supermarkets has One ton of wheat before this year’s har- not changed yet because of long-term con- tence for human trafficking vest season was selling for 500-520 zloty. tracts. But as soon as contracts expire, the A Lithuanian man was sentenced to over The price of this summer’s first wheat in- price will go up. seven years in prison for conspiring to force creased to 580 zloty per ton. The price of flour already has increased Eastern European women to work as exotic Two weeks ago the price was 620 zloty; 25 percent in food processing plants, such dancers in Detroit, Michigan strip clubs, the last week it hit 700 zloty. as macaroni producers. Justice Department said late last week. Farmers are withholding their wheat from It means that macaroni will soon cost “Human trafficking is nothing short of the market, believing that the price will con- more in Polish stores. modern-day slavery,” Assistant Attorney tinue to rise. And a baker from Krakow told Gazeta General Wan Kim said after the sentence Some Polish tradesmen speculate that at Wyborcza that the price of bread may go up was announced. Michail Aronov, 34, and the end of 2007 the price will hit 1,000 zloty about 30 percent. his business partners “smuggled women per ton. Expensive grain also means expensive into the U.S. and compelled them through Because farmers had forecast very good feed for pigs and poultry. Prices of pork and threats and coercion to work as dancers in wheat yields this year, nobody had expected poultry already are rising. strip clubs, holding them in a condition of the price to go so high. Usually, high yields Wojciech Mojzesowicz, Poland’s min- involuntary servitude,” the department said mean lower prices. ister of agriculture, says higher prices for in a statement. The human trafficking net- The weather in Poland did not help farm- cereals and food are the inevitable conse- work used the guise of a legitimate business, ers in the last few weeks, and the yields will quences of joining the EU as prices become Beauty Search Inc., to cover their criminal not be as good as originally predicted. aligned with other nations. conduct, it added. But the harvest will still be impressive, However, he thinks that it is too early for Aronov was arrested in February 2005 as perhaps 24 mln tons, which is 25 percent the union alignment to have had an effect on one of the alleged ringleaders of a human better than in 2006. the current Polish price increases. And grain trafficking network. He pleaded guilty to In fact, Poland’s harvest may be the best prices may take another jump between De- conspiracy charges later that year and of- in Europe. To the south in Hungary, Slova- cember 2007 and February 2008. fered to cooperate in a government investi- kia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, and By then we will know how much wheat gation into the ring. Italy, crops have suffered under a hot sun. was sold abroad and how much has re- He was convicted of conspiring to violate In France and Germany, rains have dam- mained in Poland. the civil rights of the dancers through invol- aged fields. Also in January 2008, Poland will begin untary servitude, as well as immigration and In Ukraine, the situation is so bad that production of biofuel. money laundering conspiracies. Aronov was government has banned exports of wheat. An increase in the demand for biofuel sentenced by a Michigan court to serve 90 Arab countries, the main importers of Ukrai- will cause an increase in the demand for months in prison – 7.5 years – and to pay a nian cereals, must search for other sources grain and also boost prices, the European of supplies, which will raise the price on the Commission said. restitution of $1 mln. (AFP) Grain prices in Poland are rising amid a bountiful harvest. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 POLAND The Krakow Post 3 Ex-Bond will advertise Polish suits and shirts Danuta Filipowicz STAFF JOURNALIST

Actor Pierce Brosnan will be the face of Vistula & Wolczan- ka S.A., a Polish company that manufactures high-end men’s Molnár cc:sa:Rita suits and shirts. Brosnan has signed a contract for the Vistula & Wolczanka (V&W) autumn-winter advertising campaign, according to “Newsweek” magazine. At a London photo shoot in June, Brosnan posed in suits and shirts that were custom made for him. Born in Ireland, Brosnan is best known for playing James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002 – “Golden Eye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World Is Not Enough” and “Die Another Day.” The actor and producer will come to Warsaw on September 6 for a show promoting the new suits and shirts. According to Vistula representatives, the choice of Pierce Brosnan confirms the reputation of V&W as a “top shelf” brand. Poland will see the actor wearing the Polish clothes in press advertising, on billboards and even on city buses and trams. He also will be featured on posters in Germany, the Czech Republic and Latvia, where Vistula has stores. In its portfolio, the company boasts of the following brands: Vistula, men’s vogue with a separate classic Lantier collection; Luigi Vesari suits; Lettfield avant-garde male fashions; Wolcz- anka formal shirts for men with a separate and exclusive Lam- bert line, as well as an impressive Avangard line. Vistula & Wolczanka is not the first Polish clothing firm to use foreign celebrities. Earlier, Monnari, which specializes in clothing for women over 30, chose model Claudia Schiffer to promote its collec- tions. And the “Big Star” from Kalisz in central Poland was promoted by R&B singer Lutricia McNeal. Brosnan has signed a contract for the Vistula & Wolczanka (V&W) autumn-winter advertising campaign, according to “Newsweek” magazine. Polish supermodel strips against furs Poland’s TP Grazyna Zawada The Polish Society for Animal Protection telecoms giant staff journalist (TOZ) is glad that famous Polish people are engaged in such actions and supports them Joanna Krupa, a 26-year-old supermodel, when they are legal. fined by has recently participated in a nude photo- “Every year, Poland is becoming noticed session for the “People for the Ethical Treat- as an animal rights sensitive country,” says ment of Animals” (PETA) organization, Wojciech Muza, secretary of TOZ. “Poland competition promoting a campaign against wearing nat- has a long tradition in animal rights protec- ural furs. Joanna Krupa, born in Poland, has tion. It was King Boleslaw Chrobry, who been living in the U.S. for over 20 years. forbade killing beavers in the year 1000, and watchdog Besides being rated one of the world’s 25 King Sigmund III Vasa, who gave an edict top sexiest women by “Playboy” magazine in the 17th Century protecting the ‘tur,’ a Agence France-Presse in 2007, Krupa has also starred in 10 films, buffalo-like ancestor of today’s cattle.” including “Legally In Muza’s opinion, Polish competition authorities late Blonde” and “Ripple if such campaigns were last week fined the country’s biggest Effect,” and appeared Besides being rated one of held in Poland, they telecoms operator, Telekomunikacja on the TV show “The the world’s 25 top sexiest would cause significant Polska (TP), 33 mln zloty (8.6 mln Man Show.” women by Playboy Maga- indignation within the euro, $11.7 mln) for hampering ri- She was involved in zine in 2007, Krupa has also more conservative mem- vals’ market access. a PETA campaign pro- starred in 10 films, including bers of society, although The country’s telecoms regula- testing wearing natural “Legally Blonde” and “Rip- the objective is praise- tor said it had punished TP, in which furs. The organization worthy. France Telecom has a 47.5-percent is widely known for its ple Effect,” and appeared on “Nudity goes very stake, for its “lack of goodwill in ne- controversial, radical the TV show, well with this topic gotiations” with other companies that and sometimes drastic “The Man Show.” of furs – it is natural. were seeking access to its network. actions in their animal Sometimes animal In a statement, TP said it was “sur- protection campaigns rights organizations prised” by the watchdog’s ruling and – such as leaving dead minks on the desk of have to use drastic methods to be noticed planned to appeal. “Vogue” Editor-In-Chief Ann Vintour, who by society; for example, we educate people The former state monopoly provid- promoted wearing natural furs. through using shocking reports of animal er remains the leading player in Po- The supermodel’s artistic nude shots, en- suffering. land’s telecoms market and still con- titled “I’d rather go naked than wear fur,” “Sometimes people don’t want to hear trols access for fixed line services. are available on the PETA web site, www. anything of this drastic side, they just go It has fallen foul of Polish compe- peta.org, along with a film from the photo and buy fur when it’s ready and don’t care. tition authorities on several previous session in which Krupa wears a T-shirt with Shock caused by dropping blood, or as in occasions for allegedly abusing its “I love PETA” written across the front. The this case – nudity, can make them think. powerful position. film also shows images of animals kept in And that’s what counts,” says Muza. horrifying conditions waiting to be killed for their fur and the supermodel comment- ing that: “There is nothing sexy about wear- ing something that is so obviously tied to senseless pain and killing.” Polish supermodel Joanna Krupa.

Police bust Internet gallery of smiles, cosmetic dentistry pedophile network Impress with a smile! Agence France-Presse - Go home with a new smile! - No waiting list Polish police said early this week that a - Top quality and great prices nationwide sweep had netted 48 people sus- - English-speaking staff pected of being part of an online child por- - Top international-level training nography ring. Forty-three computer hard - Hygienic, contemporary equipment drives and several thousand pornographic - Caring patient-oriented atmosphere CDs and DVDs were seized from 53 apart- ments during the operation, which was car- ried out in cooperation with Interpol and German investigators, Polish police said in (0) 12 429-1470 a statement. www.galeriausmiechu.pl The individuals netted in the raids risk Opening Hours: eight years in prison. Monday to Friday: 09:00-21:00 Polish investigators have already smashed Saturday: 09:00-15:00 two other Internet pedophile networks since Tel.: +48 12 429-1470 2006. [email protected] 4 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007

R E G I O N A L N E W S Slovak boy handed back to Holland next direction for Polish migration Prosecutors mother after holdout “There are plenty of jobs for plumbers, elec- tricians, fitters and welders,” he said. refuse to An 11-year-old boy who took refuge at Dutch employers also need construction Italy’s embassy in Bratislava in a bid to be

cc:sa:Quistnix workers, agricultural workers, nurses and probe Catholic reunited with his Italian father was handed ship crew, he added. back to his mother overnight in line with a Dutch companies say Poles have excel- court ruling. radio boss lent professional and technical credentials The boy, identified only as Marco, gave and a good work ethic. That’s why employ- his mother the slip at Bratislava airport ers are eager to hire them, said Mauritz early last week after returning home from a Verheijden, first secretary of the Dutch Em- holiday in Tunisia. He took a taxi and went bassy in Warsaw. cc:sa:latzky straight to the Italian mission. “I have had many conversations” with “I want to be with my father. I get along Dutch employers, Dawidowicz said. They better with him. I don’t want to live with feel Polish workers are honest, and they are my stepfather, I don’t like him,” the boy is impressed that many Poles have more than reported to have written in his diary. one set of skills, he said. A Slovak court ruled late last week that For example, “bricklayers can paint walls the boy should rejoin his mother, whose and lay tile,” he said. “Polish drivers are lawyer, Andrea Cisarova, told journalists excellent mechanics. During their free time she had agreed to allow the father regular they help with car repair. The Dutch have access to their son. (AFP) never seen anything like that before.” Prague closing embassies in Dutch newspapers have been writing glowing reports about Polish workers, Da- Singapore and Uruguay widowicz said. The Czech Republic has decided to close One of the first Poles to go to Holland af- Father Tadeusz Rydzyk. its embassies in Singapore, Uruguay and ter May 1 was Arnold Raszkowski. “I chose Zimbabwe, to make the best use of its re- Holland because wages are much higher Agence France-Presse sources, the Foreign Ministry said late last than in Poland,” he said. “Besides, Holland week. is near and, in comparison to Germany, bet- Polish investigators announced “It is a new measure to optimize Czech ter paid. Now I work as a fitter. I started at early this week that they had rejected diplomacy in response to joining the EU, 10 euro an hour. They saw I was good and a host of complaints over the latest the Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU now I am at 11 euro.” outburst by the boss of a Polish Cath- in the first half of 2009, its imminent entry Many Poles who have worked abroad olic radio station who has courted into the (open-border) Schengen zone and for years are now considering going to Hol- controversy for anti-Semitism. planned activities on the economic-diplo- land. “Every day I receive more and more Father Tadeusz Rydzyk’s reported matic front,” the ministry said in a report. inquiries from our compatriots in the UK or comments did “not take the form of At the same time Prague also said it Germany,” Dawidowicz said. a forbidden act,” said Ewa Janczur, would be closing its consulates in Bonn, Besides offering higher wages than the deputy prosecutor in the northern Cape Town and Katowice in Poland. (AFP) United Kingdom or Germany, Holland has city of Torun where the cleric’s Radio a cheaper cost of living. Maryja media empire is based. Lithuanian ex-president’s And it is less than a 10-hour drive from In July, Rydzyk was caught up in a bodyguard shoots at chef Poland. That means Poles living in Holland new dispute over the publication of a can see their families every week if they A bodyguard of Lithuania’s ex-president leaked recording slamming President want, not once a month, as was the case for Lech Kaczynski for giving in to Jew- was under investigation late last week after Poles in Britain. he allegedly shot at a chef who refused to “Batavia” sailing ship at the Batavia Shipyard, The Netherlands. ish demands for compensation for Although German companies pay much property lost after the Holocaust, and serve him an early morning meal during Danuta Filipowicz their jobs – heading for Holland as well. better than Polish companies, Dutch com- a drunken night out. The Lithuanian VIP for suggesting Jews wanted to strip STAFF JOURNALIST The number of Poles working in Hol- panies’ pay is almost double German pay in Protection Department said it had opened Poland of billions of dollars. land has grown from almost zero to 120,000 some instances. For example, agricultural Following the publication in the a probe into an incident involving Major When Poland joined the EU in May of in the 3.5 months since the Dutch policy workers in Germany make about 5.5 euro Jonas Paulikas, who watches over the Bal- weekly magazine “Wprost,” 17 peo- 2004, Poles began flocking to the United change, Gazeta Wyborcza reported. an hour. A construction worker makes a ple lodged complaints with Torun’s tic country’s 1990s head of state Algirdas Kingdom and Ireland to find higher-pay- Ten thousand Poles arrive in Holland ev- minimum of 1,300 euro a month in Holland, Brazauskas. According to Lithuanian me- prosecutors, demanding legal action ing jobs that would give them a better life. ery month, the newspaper reported. considerably higher than in Germany. And against Rydzyk. dia reports, the heavily inebriated Paulikas, That’s because those countries opened their Many are on special buses that picked some can make up to 2,000 euro a month 39, got into an argument with a chef who The Israeli ambassador to Poland borders to workers from new EU members them up in Krakow, Katowice, Opole, Wro- – about 100 per work day. also urged the government to con- declined to serve him at a restaurant which right away. claw, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Szczecin and Germany also requires work permits for was about to close at 05:00 Thursday. demn Rydzyk’s remarks, but there has Germany, which is loosening some re- other cities. foreign workers. On May 1, Holland lifted been no public reaction to his call. Paulikas allegedly responded by chasing strictions on immigrant workers, also has So many are arriving so quickly that Pol- that requirement for workers from Poland, the chef into the kitchen and firing seven Three weeks ago, Rydzyk was drawn Poles looking for work. ish districts are springing up in some cit- Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, among a group of Polish pilgrims shots with his SIG-Sauer service pistol. Now Holland has opened its borders to ies. The biggest one is in the Hague where Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. None of the shots hit the chef and it was granted an audience by Pope Bene- workers from new EU members – and there 20,000 Poles live. Every week Polish food In fact, it ended the work-permit require- dict XVI, which sparked anger unclear whether Paulikas had intended to has been a stampede of Poles going there, stores or other businesses open to serve the ment for a number of industries last year. harm him. Paulikas was arrested and tests among Jewish groups. The Vatican the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza reported. newcomers. Now it has abolished the requirement for all later issued an uncommon explana- revealed a level of 3.64 grams of alcohol ”People go to Holland because it is not Holland has a very low 3.5 percent un- industries. per 1,000 grams of blood. In compari- tory note saying the meeting “implies very far and workers are well paid,” said employment rate, which means that Dutch Another thing that makes it easier on no change in the well-known position son, the blood-alcohol limit for drivers in Kajetan Slonina, managing director of Ac- workers who want jobs are already working. Poles seeking work in Holland is that the Lithuania is 0.4 grams. Paulikas was later of the Holy See on relations between tive Plus, a Warsaw-based human resources Thus the country is welcoming immigrant Dutch require no immigrant permit. Catholics and Jews.” released but police confiscated his gun. He consulting agency. workers. To get a job, a Pole need only obtain what subsequently checked into a hospital, ac- Radio Maryja claims some 3 mln The Dutch began accepting workers from The Dutch government says about is called a Burgen Service Nummer or BSN listeners, which is only a fraction of cording to media reports. Paulikas, who Central and Eastern European EU member 225,000 jobs are going unfilled now for lack – similar to a Social Security number in the could face criminal charges as well as the the more than 90 percent of Poland’s states on May 1. of workers. U.S. 38.2 mln people who say they are sack, has been working as an official body- Not only did that lead to residents of The biggest need is for technicians, ship- The Dutch do require newcomers to reg- guard since 1991 although he was not on Catholic. But it wields considerable Poland going to Holland, but it also led to builders and metals workers, according ister with the local government where they political influence in Poland and has Brazauskas’ protection squad for the for- Poles who were working in Britain, Ireland to Janusz Dawidowicz, head of the Polish are living, however. They have three months mer president’s 1993-1998 term. (AFP) campaigned openly for the ruling Law and Germany – but were dissatisfied with Embassy’s consular section in the Hague. to do that. and Justice (PiS) party, even though Slovak parachutist survives it has begun sniping at Poland’s con- 1,200-meter freefall servative leaders for allegedly going soft. A Slovak parachutist survived a 1,200 Polish Arabian horses sell big The Radio Maryja media empire, meter (3,937-foot) freefall after his para- which also includes a television sta- chute failed to open, the media web site Alicja Natkaniec drummer Charlie Watts Shirley tion, mixes Catholic fundamentalist, pravda.sk reported late last week. The 33- STAFF JOURNALIST bought a stallion named Pieta Polish nationalist and anti-liberal ide- year-old suffered a fractured pelvis among for 300,000 euro – the highest ologies. Last year, Rydzyk was repri- other broken bones and bruises, but he was A new record was set at the price paid at this year’s auc- manded by the pontiff over what were not in danger of dying, the web site said. annual “Pride of Poland” horse tion. cc:sa:Thomas Reich considered anti-Semitic broadcasts. The man took his first jump without auction in Janow last week- Among the VIPs and horse Rome ordered Poland’s bishops to set taking along an emergency parachute, pre- end. enthusiasts was the sister of up a watchdog body for the radio, but sumably due to his lack of experience. The renowned Polish Arabi- the king of Jordan Alia, fash- it apparently has had little impact and He spiralled out of control when he an horses sold for a combined ion designer Paulo Gucci, and the Church has faced criticism for fail- jumped, which probably slowed down his 2.6 mln euro. actor Patrick Swayze and pro- ing to bring Rydzyk under control. fall. His wife saw the accident happen. In recent years the auctions ducer Mike Nichols. Polish TV Rydyzk has not denied making the “He was in shock but we think he re- have become an important celebrities Katarzyna Dowbor, latest comments, which were report- membered his fall,” a doctor who accom- event for influential members Monika Luft and Andrzej Nej- edly part of a speech to an April con- panied the man to the hospital in central of the the business community. man were also present at the ference at the journalism school he set Slovakia said. (AFP) Among the professional event. up several years ago in Torun to keep horsebreeders attending were A number of the guests his media staffed. However, he has Pioneering Slovak conceptual Polish and foreign celebrities, stayed in hotels in Warsaw and accused “Wprost” of provocation. artist Julius Koller dies musicians, actors, fashion de- were brought to Janow via he- In his remarks, Rydzyk also lashed signers, and even members of licopter. Others chose to stay at Julius Koller, the pioneer of conceptual out at Maria Kaczynska, Poland’s royal families. nearby guesthouses. first lady, calling her a “witch” for art in the former Czechoslovakia and an Attendees were eager not Dressed smartly, the guests eminent painter, graphic artist and photog- opposing a failed attempt by hardline only to admire the chiseled watched as the horses paraded Catholic lawmakers to ban abortion, rapher has died aged 68, the CTK news Arabian horses, but to bid for at the auction. agency reported. Koller, who was born in which is already highly restricted in a chance to take one home dur- A total of 33 mares and 2 Wife of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts Shirley bought a May 1939 in Piestany, in western Slovakia, Poland, and suggesting she should kill ing the auction. stallions were up for auction stallion named Pieta for 300,000 euro – the highest price paid at died late last week, the agency said. (AFP) herself rather than unborn children. Wife of Rolling Stones this year. this year’s auction. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 POLAND The Krakow Post 5 Report on “British Behavior Abroad” shows Polish government Brits lose all inhibitions while on holiday prepares law to seize criminals’ Marek Lasyk full assets

Agence France-Presse

Polish authorities plan new rules to enable them to seize the entire assets of members of organized crime networks or terror- ists, Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said late last week. “It’s a matter of confiscating total assets, and not just those which are directly linked to criminal activity,” Ziobro told re- porters as he presented a draft amendment to Poland’s criminal code. Assets which have been handed over by criminals to a third party would also be affected by the new law. Ziobro said that the Polish justice system lacks teeth when dealing with criminals who, despite declaring modest levels of personal wealth, continue to live in luxury thanks to assets which they have legally transferred to their spouses or others. “This is about confiscating the fruits of criminal activity and cutting off the sources of funding for that activity,” Ziobro ex- plained. The draft law is based on legislation already in force in Britain, Ireland and Italy, he added. Ziobro said he hoped that he would win cross-party backing for the new rules and that lawmakers would adopt the draft be- fore snap elections widely expected to be held in the autumn. Poland’s conservative leaders, President Lech Kaczynski and his identical twin Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, won power in the 2005 elections with a manifesto that included step- ping up the fight against corruption and organized crime.

Gentlemen behaving badly. A report shows that young Britons often lose their inhibitions about drinking and bad behavior when they go abroad. AGENCJA NIERUCHOMOŚCI www.property-krakow.com Danuta Filipowicz The stag and hen parties in East- is tarred with the same brush. tourists visited Krakow, and 17 per- STAFF JOURNALIST ern or Central Europe create many of Restaurant and hotel owners are on cent of them, or 425,000, came from the behavior problems. Stag weekend edge; they all want to know if you’re Great Britain. Young Britons often lose their packages – includ- with a group or not. In July of this year, the British inhibitions about drinking and bad ing flights, a few Last year, almost 2.5 mln There’s no doubt Embassy in Poland released a leaf- behavior when they go abroad. The nights in a hotel foreign tourists visited it’s giving us a bad let “Welcome to Poland” containing British government this month re- and a pub crawl name.” hints to help British tourists have an leased a report on “British Behavior capped by a visit Krakow, and 17 percent According to enjoyable and trouble-free visit. Abroad,” covering the period from to a strip club – of them, or 425,000, the Foreign Office About 35,000 copies of this leaflet April 2005 to March 2006 as part of can cost about 200 came from Great Britain. report, the period are being distributed around Poland a “Know Before You Go” campaign pounds. In July of this year, the April 2005-March with the help of local government, promoting responsible tourism. The British 2006 saw 1,368 tourist agencies, airlines, hotels and The report lists incidents from Brit- and Foreign and British Embassy in Poland Britons arrested in bars. British Consul Paul Fox said ish Foreign Office records. Although Commonwealth released a leaflet, the U.S., 955 hos- that it was important to get a firm but Krakow has experienced a massive Office (FCO) says “Welcome to Poland,” pitalized in Greece, balanced message out to British tour- influx of UK “stag and hen parties,” 24 percent of the containing hints to help 376 British citizens ists: “With over 300 flights a week Poland was not on the list of top 10 people on stag British tourists have an die in France and between UK and Poland, there has countries where British nationals re- and hen parties 6,078 lose their been an influx of British tourists. The quired the most consular assistance. have encountered enjoyable and passports in Spain. vast majority of visits to Poland are According to the data, the Czech or created prob- trouble-free visit. The British Em- trouble free, but we can always do NOCLEGI W APARTAMENTACH Republic and its capital of Prague are lems abroad. bassy in Warsaw better particularly with stag and hen the hot spots for British travelers in The Yorkshire Post, a daily news- reported that the period April 2006- parties. All British tourists should www.aaakrakow.com trouble. More Britons lose passports paper published in Leeds, England, March 2007 saw 455,000 British check out the local laws and customs because of drunkenness and other ar- commented on the stag and hen visitors to Poland. Of those, 50 Brits of Poland. What might be perfectly rests – and also are hospitalized – in party problem: “This affects ordi- were detained, eight hospitalized and appropriate behavior or dress in one the Czech Republic than in some of nary English people when they go to 97 reported lost or stolen passports. country might be completely differ- the more popular places in the world. these places now, because everyone Last year, almost 2.5 mln foreign ent in another.” [email protected] Polish officials barred from honorary army bash in Belarus

Agence France-Presse

Belarus barred late last week a number of Polish officials from entering the country to attend a party in honor of the Polish army and did so for political reasons, Poland’s Foreign Ministry said. Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk and Vice President of the Senate Kryzsztof Putra, were among those denied entry by Belaru- sian border guards. The party they hoped to attend was organized by the Polish Association of Belarus (ZPB), which is not recog- nized by the hardline regime of President Alexander Lukashenko. Tusk and two other deputies were denied entry at a border town in northeastern Belarus, hours after Putra was also denied. According to Belarus officials, the list was established in re- sponse to a similar measure made by the Polish government. In 2006, Poland imposed visa restrictions on several members of the Lukashenko regime who it accused of repressing political opposition, many of whom come from the Polish minority. CALL IN AND SEE US! Around 400,000 Poles live in Belarus, a country of 10 mln peo- ul. Napoleona Cybulskiego 2 ple on the border of Poland. 6 The Krakow Post POLAND AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 “A cardinal, a Jew and an immigrant’s son.” Joanna Zabierek his community of origin.” Chief Rabbi Gazeta Wyborcza. “He said that was a STAFF JOURNALIST Ashkenazi, however, publicly accused special memory. We talked about all the Lustiger of “betraying his people and streets, houses and other places we vis- These were the words that Cardinal his religion.” ited together. Very special and precious Jean-Marie Lustiger, longtime leader Lustiger, said to be hurt by the rabbi’s to him was the title he received from of the French Roman Catholic Church, attack, has stated: “I was born Jewish Bedzin citizens.” Cardinal Lustiger’s used to describe himself. He could have and so I remain, even if that’s unac- funeral was held August 10 at the Notre added to that description: honorary citi- ceptable for many. For me, the vocation Dame Cathedral in Paris. In line with zen of Bedzin. of Israel is bringing light to the goyim the cardinal’s wishes, ceremonies be- Cardinal Lustiger, an adviser to the (non-Jews). gan with a reading of a Jewish psalm by late Pope John Paul II, died August 6 in “That’s my hope and I believe that Lustiger’s grand-nephew in Hebrew and Paris. Christianity is the means for achieving French. The 80-year-old churchman, the it.” An undeniable fact is that throughout The grand-nephew also carried a son of Polish Jews, had supervised the his Catholic life, Lustiger was a strong bowl of earth gathered from Jewish and French church for nearly 25 years before advocate of Jewish-Christian relations Christian sites in the Holy Land. Before stepping down as archbishop in 2005, and did a lot to improve them. Cardi- the crowd of around 5,000 people gath- the New York Times reported. nal Lustiger had many connections to ered on Notre Dame esplanade, cousin The death of Lustiger, a Jewish con- Poland, particularly to Bedzin. His par- Arno led the reading of the Kaddish, vert to Catholicism, prompts a look ents came from that city. The Lustigers the Jewish prayer for the dead. Poland at his unusual story. Born in France to lived in Kollataj Alee 34, near Bedzin was represented among the mourners: non-practicing Jews from Silesia, young cemetery. They immigrated to France at Primate Cardinal Josef Glemp, Cardi- Lustiger converted to Catholicism when the beginning of the 20th century. Jean- nal Macharski and Archbishop Zycinski he was 14 during the Nazi occupation Marie was born in 1927 in Paris, but took part in the ceremony. of World War II. Lustiger said he had he often visited Poland to see what had Also present was former President read the Bible secretly and later said it been described to him by his parents. Lech Walesa. Several cardinals and bish- felt like “reading something he already Finally, he came to Poland to discover ops bent to kiss Lustiger’s coffin before knew.” Bedzin on his own with his cousin Arno it was carried inside the cathedral, where Lustiger was the only Jewish con- in 1992. They visited the old synagogue it was to be laid in a crypt. As reported vert to Roman Catholicism to become and ghetto. by Agence France-Presse (AFP), several a French bishop in modern times. The In 1997 Lustiger was made an hon- prominent members of France’s Jewish conversion brought both praise and con- orary citizen of Bedzin. Arno Lustiger community attended the funeral, but the demnation from Jews. The head of the talked to his cousin three weeks before top leaders were absent. Spokesman for French Council of Jewish Institutions, his death. the Jewish leaders said they did not at- Cardinal Lustiger, an adviser to the late Pope John Paul II, was the son of Polish Jews Richard Prasquier, said Lustiger had al- “Jean-Marie recalled his last visit in tend because Lustiger’s conversion to and had supervised the French church for nearly 25 years before stepping down. ways “shown a great fraternity towards Bedzin,” Arno told the daily newspaper Catholicism remains a sensitive issue. EU studying Poland’s rejection of Gdansk shipyard demands

agence france-presse forced authorities to the negotiating table and led to the creation of Solidarity, the The European Commission is study- Communist bloc’s first free trade union. ing Poland’s rejection of its demand to cut Under EU rules, state aid for struggling capacity at the Gdansk shipyard, a spokes- shipyards can only be granted in the con- woman said early this week as fresh ten- text of a deep restructuring aimed at restor- sions between Brussels and Warsaw flared. ing long-term viability of the yard. On the eve of a deadline set by the EC , In particular, they require private inves- Poland rejected its demand for the capacity tors to be brought in and excess capacity cut, which the EU’s executive arm had set to be cut, even though that can jeopardise as a condition for the historically important jobs. shipyard receiving state aid. “What the EC wants to see of course is “For the time being, all we can say is that not a closed Gdansk shipyard but a genuine, we have received [the response] and that far reaching restructuring of the company [Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes’ which will ensure its long-term viability,” office] is examining it,” EC spokeswoman Torres told reporters later. Amelia Torres told AFP. “And that is in the interest of the people If Warsaw fails to appease Brussels con- who work in the shipyard and the region,” cerns, the EC could order the past aid to she added. be reimbursed, threatening the shipyard’s In response to the EC’s demands, War- future. saw sent a 200-page document, saying it Although Poland has satisfied the EC’s wanted to keep two slipways in operation demands concerning two other shipyards, in Gdansk, instead of just one as Brussels Warsaw has held out over the Gdansk yard, had demanded. which holds particular historic importance The EC is responsible for checking that for the Poles. state aid does not breach EU rules, which A strike by 17,000 workers in August aim to prevent competition in Europe from 1980 at what was then the Lenin Shipyard being distorted.

HOTEL COPERNICUS Tel.: +48 (0) 12 424-3400 Hotel Copernicus Fax: +48 (0) 12 424-3405 ul. Kanonicza 16 Email: [email protected] 31-002 Krakow, Web site: www.hotel.com.pl Poland Gdansk shipyard. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 7 Protecting Krakow’s wetlands Justyna Krzywicka tal quality of each of the areas. STAFF JOURNALIST Construction work will be prohibited. Only minimal landscape architectural chang- Thanks to the Department of Environ- es will be allowed, such as park benches and mental Protection of the Municipal Council, walking tracks. The hunting and destruction the Jagiellonian University and the Malo- of fauna and flora will be prohibited. The polska Ornithological Society, Krakow will wet areas will not be drained, filled or pol- gain three additional areas for ecological luted. use. Until now, the two existing sites have Currently the pond around Kaczencowa been the Nowa Huta grasslands (some 57 street has rare species of birds such as the hectares) and the forest area at Rzaska with small woodpecker (the smallest of the wood- historical, cultural and pecker family in Poland), environmental signifi- the golden oriole, and cances. The wetlands of Zawila the kingfisher. The pond The three new areas (2 hectares) are espe- is also home to the long- according to Dziennik cially significant as haired snail that is on the Polski that are to be add- endangered species list. ed to the list are: the pond they are home to The 15 hectares of the at ul. Kaczencowa, the various reptile species alder forest area and the wetlands near Zawila and such as the grass frog watercourse in the Prad- the watercourse along the and the tree frog. nik region also accommo- tree line of the Pradnik. dates many bird species All sites are water related requiring protection. as the risk of their destruction is increasing. The wetlands of Zawila (2 hectares) are Due to urbanization of these areas, the especially significant as they are home to water ecological systems require protection. various reptile species such as the grass frog Once construction begins, watercourses and and the tree frog. The Zawila area also has wetlands are the first to suffer by drying up marshes, pines growing on its embankments as the water table lowers. Another common and migratory birds such as the lonesome form of destruction is the illegal dumping of sandpiper and the rust-colored nightingale. debris and soil into the wet areas from con- The three ecological areas will be estab- struction sites, either by individuals or by lished by autumn of this year. companies. The Municipal Council intends to contin- As Dziennik Polski reports, once these ue this ecological expansion with one new areas for ecological purposes are established area added each year. Documents are being by the city, the landscape in these areas will drafted for the pond area around the Plaza not undergo changes. The aim of such offi- shopping center, to be added to the list for cial allocation is to sustain the environmen- next year. Winter season

Thanks to the Department of Environmental Protection of the Municipal Council, the Jagiellonian University and the Malopolska Ornithological in Polish skies Society, Krakow will gain three additional areas for ecological use.

the krakow post and sixth largest airline in the world), LOT Pol- ish Airlines (the national airline of Poland based JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY New airline schedules and routes are already in Warsaw) and Germanwings (a low-cost airline Polish for Foreigners in place for the winter season. Carriers quickly based in Cologne and Bonn). New Courses, Low Prices!!! reserve new routes, because they do not want to “German routes are unusually attractive as be overtaken by competitors. And the biggest are those in neighboring Poland,” said Jaroslaw The biggest and oldest School of Polish competition concerns Germany, the Dziennik Swiecki, chief of Norwegian Air Shuttle. “Rela- Language and Culture invites you to its newspaper reports. Low-cost airlines are the most tions with Germany concern not only tourist traffic latest program: expansionary. Wizz Air, a Polish/Hungarian air- but also business relations.” Norwegian Air Shuttle “Autumn with the Polish Language line focusing on Central Europe and the leader on will open a route between Warsaw-Munich soon, by the Wawel Castle in Krakow” the Polish market, has already drawn up 13 new and Ryanair plans a Warsaw-Frankfurt route. The routes. Irish Ryanair has announced 10 new routes challenge of the low-cost airlines is downplayed - Two-week Polish-language courses for the winter season. Ryanair is Europe’s larg- by Maria Kowalewska, director of Lufthansa in (50 hours of instruction) est low-cost carrier and one of the world’s most Poland. - Two sessions (first and second half of successful airlines in terms of profits, number of “Together with LOT Polish Airlines, we have September) flights and number of passengers. Other airlines many competitive advantages,” she said Lufthan- - Different levels of proficiency have scheduled four to five new flights each this sa will not open new Polish-German routes, but it - Small groups - Experienced teachers winter, and the routes include Great Britain, Scan- will increase its flights from Wroclaw to Munich - Latest teaching methods dinavia, Italy and France. The biggest competition and from Katowice to Dusseldorf. Dziennik said - University diploma at the end of the course involves Germany. Wizz Air, Ryanair and Norwe- LOT is adding two new routes to Germany. gian Air Shuttle are preparing to compete Information: New airline schedules, routes are already in place for the winter season. with Lufthansa (the German flag carrier www.uj.edu.pl/SL [email protected] Tel.: +48 (0) 12 421 36 95

Krakowians play chess at a table by the Vistula River. 8 The Krakow Post KRAKOW AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 WWII docs may decode St. Remembering the “Liberator” Mary’s altar Michal Wojtas Staff JOURNALIST

Art historians in Poland are hoping to gain new knowledge about the famous St. Mary’s Church Veit Stoss Altar as docu- ments about its World War II journey have been found in the U.S. Last week Agata Wolska, archivist for St. Mary’s Church on Rynek Glowny, discov- ered documentation of its wartime odyssey at the U.S. National Archives and at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The Krakow altar, carved between 1477 and 1489, is the biggest Gothic altar in Europe and a symbol of Krakow. The 13- meter high (over 43 feet) and 11-meter wide (34 feet) alter was built in the form of a triptych and filled with more than 200 sculptures. Wolska’s discovery reveals the altar’s history between 1939, when it was taken to Germany by troops occupying Poland, and 1946, when the U.S. Army controlling Germany returned the Gothic masterpiece to Krakow. When the documents arrive in Krakow next week scholars hope to shed new light on the altar’s wartime history. They know that it was first taken to Berlin and then to Nuremberg during the war, but the details remain unclear. After the war, the altar was found in a terrible state in a basement in an old north- ern Bavarian town. It was broken into two separate blocks, wet and infested with in- sects. It wasn’t presented publicly until 1950 when its restoration was finally fin- ished. The altar was carved by Veit Stoss, one of the best Gothic German sculptors. He came to Krakow from Nuremberg in 1477 and devoted the next 12 years of his life to carving the altar with other workers. The Krakow Municipality is considering building a monument to commemorate a plane and its crew that perished after helping the 1944 Warsaw uprising fighters. His masterpiece gained him not only everlasting fame, but also made him rich. Grazyna Zawada area, south of Krakow’s city center (where Gallery Mall. The monument, to be named was inspired by three aviation symbols: the The city council paid almost 3,000 florins Staff JOURNALIST Schindler’s factory is located). Only Al- “Boulevard of Aliant Aviators,” would be Polish chessboard, the English bowknot and to have it in the Cathedral – a sum almost lan Hunter Hammet, an placed near the original an American star. equal to their annual budget. The Krakow Municipality is considering Australian pilot, survived A plaque commemorated crash site and would be- The entire project will include informa- Stoss was also granted citizenship and a building a monument to commemorate a the crash. After numerous come part of Krakow’s tion plaques of heroic aviators who fought tax-exempt privilege in Krakow. However plane and its crew that perished after helping tribulations, he managed the heroic crew and their “Trail of Aviation His- and died in World War II, a small museum after completing several other commis- the 1944 Warsaw uprising fighters. to return to Great Britain last flight at ul. Lipowa tory.” of the war’s past events, a viewing platform sions, including the tomb of King Kazimi- On August 16, 1944, Liberator KG-933 safely. 18, but now the Krakow Institute of Technol- and a stop for future river trams. erz IV, he returned to Nuremberg. (from the 178-RAF Bomb Squad), com- A plaque commemo- Municipality wants to erect ogy student Arkadiusz “The municipal board has viewed this There his fate changed. First he lost his manded by William D. Wright, was return- rated the heroic crew a monument of the “Libera- Sordyla designed the project and accepted it as achievable,” said fortune after lending it to a merchant who ing from a successful aid airdrop mission for and their last flight at ul. tor” on the south bank of the monument as a skeleton- Malgorzata Wozniak, a member of the mu- went bankrupt. Then he was found guilty Warsaw’s insurgents who had been fighting Lipowa 18, but now the Vistula River. structured phantom of a nicipal press office. “Although the project of forgery and sentenced to be branded on against the Germans since the uprising be- Krakow Municipality and diving plane, just before is very beautiful, we have to wait until after both cheeks. gan on August 1. architects from Krakow’s the crash. The design re- the holiday period, namely the beginning of He died in Nuremberg in 1533 and was The plane was probably first shot down Institute of Technology want to erect a mon- tains the plane’s original 32-meter width and September, to have all the details discussed buried at the Joannis Cemetery, where Al- by a German fighter plane and then by an- ument of the “Liberator” on the south bank will be supported by a frame entwined with and voted on. For now, the project remains brecht Durer also lies buried. Nuremberg tiaircraft artillery. It crashed in the Zablocie of the Vistula River, opposite the Kazimierz specially chosen plants. Its pedestal shape only on paper.” has been Krakow’s twin city since 1979. High art and chips: British Tyrrells mixes with Tadeusz Kantor Alicja Natkaniec and sounds of nature. The photograph was tak- Staff JOURNALIST en by Eustachy Kossakowski. How did the photo end up on the potato chip A photograph on a potato package has cre- package? Gazeta Wyborcza said one of the Tyr- ated an international incident. As reported by rells employees responsible for the packaging the daily newspaper Gazeta was on vacation and un- Wyborcza, the potato chips Tyrrells boasts of being available for comment. But Gazeta Wyborcza speculated are produced by the British “the only small UK chip company Tyrrells. that Tyrrells decided that the The photograph on the maker to grow their own po- photo would be a good illus- package is the famous tatoes and process them into tration for the potato chip’s “Panoramic Sea Happen- delicious chips on the farm, slogan “Lightly Sea Salted” ing” by the late Tadeusz controlling the whole process on the packaging. Kantor, a noted Polish art- from seed to chip, which Tyrrells boasts of being ist. Kantor’s heirs – his wife takes 12 months.” “the only small UK chip and daughter – and protec- maker to grow their own tors of his art are indignant potatoes and process them at the commercialization of into delicious chips on the the photo and call it “a profanation of art.” The farm, controlling the whole process from seed use of the photo also may violate copyright law. to chip, which takes 12 months.” Kantor’s “Panoramic Sea Happening” was cre- Tyrrells products are sold only in natural food ated in August 1967 as the first part of his “Sea stores. The photo on the potato chips package Concerto.” was spotted in an English store by a colleague “Panoramic Sea Happening” shows a music of Kantor’s daughter, and the alarm was raised. conductor standing on a chair in the ocean, with Kantor heirs say they never allow a company to his arms outstretched, “conducting” the waves use his art for commercial purposes. “Panoramic Sea Happening,” by the late Tadeusz Kantor. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 9 Krakowian, PiS MP Ryszard Legutko appointed new education minister Danuta Filipowicz months until the elections, he could even Staff JOURNALIST reverse some of Giertych’s bad decisions,” Dzierzgowska said. Poland’s new minister of education is Legutko was born on Dec. 24, 1949 from Krakow. Ryszard Legutko, a Law in Krakow. He was graduated in English and Justice MP, was named to the position philology (linguistics) from Jagiellonian after President Lech Kaczynski on August University in 1973 and in philosophy from 13 fired ministers from the ruling party’s Jagiellonian University in 1976. A full pro- two junior partners, fessor, Legutko lectures ending the government at Jagiellonian University coalition and bringing “Professor Legutko and Tischner European early parliamentary elec- has a chance to re- University. tions a step closer. A onetime democratic Law and Justice (PiS), pair some mistakes opposition activist, Le- the right-wing govern- gutko in the 1980s edited ing party, had formed committed by his several periodicals in- the majority coalition predecessor,” said cluding Arka, one of the government with Self- leading Polish indepen- Defense and the League Irena Dzierzgow- dent press publications. of Polish Families (LPR) ska, vice minister In 1992, he co-established in May 2006. But the and served as the chair- coalition lasted only 15 of education. man of Osrodek Mysli months, and new elec- Politycznej, an indepen- tions may take place on dent non-governmental Oct. 21, two years ahead of schedule. center for the study of political systems, Legutko, who had been vice speaker international relations and classical politi- of the Senate, succeeds Roman Giertych, cal philosophy. Legutko, a widower with LPR chairman, as education minister. two children, has published many books in “Professor Legutko has a chance to different languages. He is a translator and repair some mistakes committed by his analyst of Plato’s works, a current affairs predecessor,” said Irena Dzierzgowska, commentator and an essay writer. He also the vice minister of education. “If Legut- has lectured as a visiting professor at Euro- ko would have more time than only two pean and American universities. New Education Minister Ryszard Legutko with Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Tatras Mountains besieged by record number of tourists, trash, broken limbs and deaths

Michal Wojtas Staff JOURNALIST

This summer’s good weather raised the Agency LUK Tatras Mountains’ popularity to a record high among Poland’s tourists. According Tatra Na- tional Park authorities, the number of tourists to have visited the park this July rose to 526,000 from 400,000 in the last two years, quoted Dzie- nnik Polski. But August is the famous park’s peak tour- ist season. On average more than 20,000 people enter the 211-square-kilometer zone daily. Es- tablished in 1954, the park currently provides 145 kilometers of hiking trails. The park sustains itself with ticket sales, but the authorities’ main task is protecting wildlife. This becomes harder with a growing number of tourists, many of them leaving behind garbage along mountain paths. As Pawel Slawinski, the park director, says, 600 liters of garbage have been found by work- ers in July alone. The situation is worst in val- leys, easily reachable by all tourists, and better in higher areas where fewer tourists are strong enough to hike. Slawinski says trash bins wouldn’t help A climber on the Tatras Mountains. as people would only leave more waste in the mountains. Ideally, hikers should transport it back down in their backpacks to Zakopane, Poland’s most notorious mountain resort. Download the Unfortunately, some even throw trash into the Tatras’ largest lake, the Morskie Oko (The Sea Eye). Each cleaning by scuba divers brings PDF edition of up numerous bags of trash to the banks. In 2001, for example, 100 kilograms of coins, from as far The Krakow as China or South Africa, were found on the bottom of the Morskie Oko. Corrosion of heavy metals like nickel endangers trout living in the Post online! lake. Increased mountain tourism is dangerous not only for wildlife but also for hikers. Many www.krakowpost.com unskilled tourists have endeavored to hike the most challenging paths, some of them breaking their limbs or even losing their lives. This July, the most difficult 7-hour long Pol- ish Tatras trail, Orla Perc (The Eagle’s Ridge) became a one-way trip as more and more ac- cidents occurred. Since its 1909 opening, more than 90 people have perished along the Orla Perc trail. But even now, mountain rookies can be seen hiking the infamous path in sandals. 10 The Krakow Post KRAKOW AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 Festival of Music Rynek Glowny goes folk in Old Krakow continues

Alicja Natkaniec Staff JOURNALIST

More than a week has passed since the Agnieszka Romanowicz famous Festival of Music in Old Krakow began, but there’s still music to come as it continues until the end of the month. The festival presents a variety of music, ranging from early to contemporary com- positions, all performed in the most beauti- ful and interesting sites of the city. The festival was inaugurated with Jo- seph Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation,” per- formed by the choirs Ginnheimer Kantorei, Chor der Dresdner Bank, Symphonisches Orchester Ginnheim and soloists, and con- ducted by Bernd Lechla. Performing the piece was an especially great challenge for the amateur choirs, which is why the oratorio’s hidden beauty unfortunately remained hidden. Following opening day, music lovers had a few opportunities to listen to one of the biggest “stars” of the Festival – the gui- tar quartet “Los Romeros.” The quartet, founded in 1960 by Celedo- nio Romero, is also known as “The Royal Family of the Guitar.” They performed twice – on August 16 with Capella Cracoviensis at the Temple Synagogue and the following day with works for guitar at the Krakow Philhar- monic Hall. The guitar music would have harmo- nized better with the picturesque courtyard of Collegium Maius, the concert’s planned location, but the bad weather forced it to move. Nevertheless, the Spanish music carried the audience away and both concerts were received enthusiastically. On August 19 Capella Cracoviensis per- formed a unique concert version of Claudio The Fair of Folk Art’s appeal goes beyond the national level, with guests from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. Monteverdi’s “Orfeo.” Four-hundred years ago “Orfeo” debuted in Montua as the first Krzysztof Skonieczny tional level, with guests from the Czech Rynek Glowny. Other festival events have Alas, apart from real masterpieces of re- opera. Even without a stage realization, this Staff JOURNALIST Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. Each of included more than 50 performances by gional handicraft, some stands sell cheap, performance of the opera sounded great. the 10 days of the fair has folk bands and song-and- unattractive “souvenirs,” perhaps hoping, During the past week chamber music The fair has come to Rynek Glowny. its own theme, usually dance groups. as well as that the splendor of the fair will make their was also performed by “Trio Cracovia,” From August 17-26, Rynek Glowny has concerning a specific re- The aim of the fair, orga- competitions, games and junk more interesting. “Cuarteto Casals” and “Octava.” been hosting the 31st Fair of Folk Art, gion of Poland or one of nizers say, is “to present shows. But luckily it does not take an expert to On August 21, chamber choir “Preludiu” accompanied by these smaller folklore the guest countries, and everything that is the best The most important sort the wheat from the chaff. gave a concert of Orthodox Church music events: the third European Fair of Art and celebrations are linked to testimony of Poland’s rich part of the fair is, of The last four days of the fair will be de- by Romanian composers. Artistic Handicraft, the third Malopolska the themes. traditional folk art that course, a great market on voted to the town and land of Limanowa But the greatest events of the Festival are Folk Culture Days and the second Festival For example, “Pincz- emphasizes and reminds us Rynek Glowny. (Thursday), Dobczyce and the Wieliczka still to come. August 28 brings the famous of City Folklore. ow and Kopernia Day” of our national and There, more than 300 Salt Mine (Friday), the Republic of Slova- Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra’s concert of The aim of the fair, organizers say, is “to celebrated the 750th an- cultural identity.” exhibitors from virtually kia (Saturday) and Nowy Targ and Podhale music by Dietrich Buxtehode conducted by present everything that is the best testimo- niversary of the signing every part of Poland pres- (Sunday). Ton Koopman, and August 29 Krakow will ny of Poland’s rich traditional folk art that of the location act of Kra- ent their regional art. Among the highlights will be knight be hosting the world’s finest vocal quartet, emphasizes and reminds us of our national kow in Kopernia. The ceremony featured Apart from purchasing wicker baskets, fights by the John the Baptist Congregation “The Hilliard Ensemble.” and cultural identity.” Prince of Krakow Boleslaw Wstydliwy lace tablecloths or clay dishes, one can also at 13:35 on Friday and performances by More information is available on www. The fair’s appeal goes beyond the na- and his attendants making a grand entry to watch the products being made. highland ensembles through Sunday. capellacracoviensis.pl Battle for the green: Majestic Borkowksi forest set to win Justyna Krzywicka a monastery, its ownership became unkown due Staff JOURNALIST to the multitude of sales of the land thereafter. The year 2005 saw the onset of forest demo- Amid its development projects, its increas- lition with bulldozers clearing the 15-hectare ing urban sprawl, traffic infested streets and area for an apartment complex. rapidly disappearing trees, Krakow has its own Despite an outcry of locals, little was done green oasis. The Borkowski forest situated in by the Municipal Council to stop the removal the Borek Falecki Region in the city’s south of the trees. is a majestic ecological enclave that may soon There is no urban area management plan become a threatened paradise, destroyed by the implemented for this popular recreational part increasing urbanization. of the city. As reported by the Dziennik Polski, The forest is a dense amalgamation of his- the area cleared has a significant impact on the torical pines, shrubs and deciduous trees. It also ecosystem of the forest. According to reports consists of wetlands with rare bird colonies. conducted by the Agricultural Academy, the While strolling through its multitude of erection of buildings within the 15-hectare area walking trails, one can quickly forget the busy would impede in the migration of the forest’s life of the city just beyond the forest’s out- animals, causing their destruction. skirts. Local residents however in fear for this On a quiet balmy summer evening, if you’re precious green and leafy city gem have come lucky you can even spot a deer or a wild sow together and formed the Borek Falecki Com- with its piglets. munity of Residents action group. Bike riding, walking, bird watching and the The main purpose of the group is to protect quietness of the area, means the Borek is popu- the area from further destruction and urbaniza- lar with the Krakowians as a place of relaxation tion. If it wasn’t for the determination of the and nature. group and its action, some 10 apartment build- Known as the “southern lungs” of the city, ings would already be in existence. according to the Dziennik Polski the Borek Currently there is a prohibition of building is being threatened by the increasing urban construction implemented in the area, with no sprawl. permits being granted for further building de- Spread across 60 hectares, 15 hectares of velopments on the 15 hectares. This however is the forest are privately owned. During Com- a temporary solution. munist rule the area belonged to the state, with The Borek Falecki Region, like most of the 15 hectares sold to private ownership in the Krakow’s green areas, needs official urban 1990s. planning management schemes to permanently After the Solvay factory sold the property to protect such areas. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 KATOWICE The Krakow Post 11 Mounted patrol has hit the streets of Bytom

Joanna Zabierek wice, near the city of Tarnowskie Gory in Europe. Horse patrols impart a sense of pro- crime or pursue a criminal. Marcin Mazurowski sTAFF JOURNALIST Silesia Province. tection to those making use of public areas. In addition, a mounted officer is a crime The riders are new police officers espe- The patrols can quickly move in to deal with deterrent, police say, because would-be crim- About a month ago police horse patrols cially trained to work with horses. traffic problems or street disturbances. inals can see him blocks away. appeared in Bytoms. The riders look for people causing public Mounted patrols can do some things much Because an officer atop a horse is at a Last week police began patrolling on disturbances in the parks and for illegal gar- better than officers on foot – for example, height of 10 feet, he can see a long way off. horseback. Police Chief Artur Paczyna said bage dumps. The horses will walk along the control crowds. And he can look over fences and walls to Bytom will have also mounted patrols. parks and other green sites of the city on their In other cities the patrols are seen at spot crimes that pedestrians would be unable The first mounted unit of two policemen days off, and work for eight hours a day with concerts, parades, sporting events, demon- to see. began taking a spin through city parks on Au- rest and feed breaks. strations and other events that draw many Both the horses and riders get training in gust 16. The riders want to get their horses “Mounted patrols in parks and woods are people. One officer on horseback equals search and rescue. A mounted officer can accustomed to their new city surroundings the best solution from a logistical point of about 10 on foot when it comes to control- search for a long time and carry supplies that before putting them on the street for extend- view,” Police Chief Artur Paczyna said in an ling crowds, police say. could help in a rescue. ed periods. interview with Radio Katowice. That’s because those in the crowd shrink Horses also increase friendly contact be- The horses are two of the best from the Mayor Piotr Koj wrote on his blog that before the size and power of a horse. tween officers and the public, police say. Sel- Zbroslawice Stud Farm. The farm is a famed most residents like the mounted patrols, Officers can also ride horses into areas dom is public attention so magnetically drawn private operation in the village of Zbrosla- which are fixtures of major cities throughout where a police car can’t go to check out a to police as it is to an officer on horseback. Katowice now has two St. Petersburg student modern skyscrapers takes prize in Cieszyn Marek and Ewa Wojciechowscy Wojciechowscy Marek and Ewa

the krakow post She said in previous years the exam dealt mostly with Polish-language patterns. A master’s student from Russia missed Since this year was the 10th anniversary of only one question on the difficult Polish-lan- the school, she said, she decided to create Highest Silesia Office Tower skyscraper will join Altus as the tallest building in the region. guage examination at Silesian University’s an exam with questions that would give the Joanna Zabierek ing for all apartment owners and about 200 Polish Airlines Building, according to the news- Summer School of Polish Language, Litera- students additional knowledge of Polish. STAFF JOURNALIST aboveground parking spaces for guests. paper Gazeta Wyborcza. ture and Culture in Cieszyn. Much of the exam dealt with Polish Work on the third and fourth phases will The highest Silesia Office Towers skyscraper Oleg Erszow, 24, of St. Petersburg earned names and their traditions. The Silesia Region has enjoyed a property- begin in a few months. They will involve the will join Altus as the tallest building in the re- the title of Master of the Polish Language Dr. Skudrzyk said that when she was put- development boom in recent years. construction of two office buildings on Chor- gion. The 34-story structure will be 125 meters for outscoring the 180 other test-takers from ting the test together, even she was unsure of One of the largest developments is a four- high, the same as the 30-story Altus. The other 32 countries. He is an advanced student of one word. She had to consult a dictionary to phase housing, office and shopping complex in building will have 15 stories and be 55 meters the Polish language. make sure of the answer. One of the largest devel- high. The two buildings combined will have Katowice. The first phase of the four-year proj- The university started the school 17 years This year 180 people took the test. Most ect was the Silesia City Center shopping mall, opments is a four-phase 60,000 square meters of space. which opened in November 2005. housing, office and shopping Janusz Olesinski of TriGranit said the two ago. It began having the end-of-term exami- were summer school students. Some were The company that is developing the entire complex in Katowice. The buildings will accommodate about 6,000 work- nations 10 years ago. people studying Polish in their home coun- complex, Hungary’s TriGranit, built the shop- first phase of the four-year ers. TriGranit will begin this week to try to line Students learn Polish in the classroom tries who were not students at the school. ping center over the old Gottwald coal mine. project was the Silesia City up tenants, he said. “Whether we finish both through non-traditional methods. They included people of Polish extraction The architects designed it to preserve some of Center shopping mall, which towers at the same time or in stages” depends They create a newspaper, play language from Lviv, Radio Katowice reported. on potential tenants’ interest, he said. the historical character of the place. They in- opened in November 2005. games, use educational computer programs, All those who took the exam received cludes the Gottwald’s old mining tower – the “It is possible that by the end of the year watch Polish-language movies and go on gifts. The winner, Erszow, will be allowed 2009 we will have finished only one tower, the shopping center’s landmark – and fragments of trips. to take part in next year’s summer school for old mining buildings in the project. zowska Street. higher one,” he said. Work is underway on the second phase of Famed architect Stefan Kurylowicz de- He also said TriGranit is considering con- Dr. Aldona Skudrzyk of Silesian Univer- free. After the exam the test-takers went to the complex, high-rise housing. The three apart- signed the Silesia Office Towers. Kurylowicz, necting the office towers and adding retail space sity has created the final exams every year the “Old Market for a Nations Night.” Each ment buildings will have 252 units. The size of who uses cutting-edge construction techniques, to them. The whole complex, with a square and since the beginning. “This year’s edition was asked to let the others know about their each will range from 27 to 122 square meters. has designed a number of Warsaw skyscrapers, green space, is sure to be a major attraction for is the hardest one,” the newspaper Gazeta country’s traditions and customs. At the end The project will include underground park- including the Focus Filtrowa Building and the Katowice and the entire Silesia Region. Wyborcza quoted her as saying. all of the test-takers danced the polonaise. Chorzow may host Euro 2012 inaugural game Brazilian restaurant the krakow post paper Gazeta Wyborcza reported. Chor- be interested in, either. the elegant, and historically important, ul. in the Old Town zow would seem a good choice. Seating in Chorzow backers counter that the Chor- Wolnosci promenade. The first match of the Euro 2012 soccer Chorzow’s new Silesian Stadium is almost zow itself may not have enough accommo- And it is creating modern tourist attrac- ul. Sw. Tomasza 28 championships is expected to be in Chorzow finished. The roof of the domed facility is dations for the Euro 2012 visitors, but the tions, such as a Provincial Culture and Lei- or Poznan because Warsaw’s new stadium expected to be completed in June of 2010. province does. The Silesian region boasts sure Park. The park features a zoological is unlikely to be finished by then. As for accommodating crowds, Silesia’s about 150 hotels, supporters say. garden, a planetarium with an astronomical We invite you every An indication of how far behind schedule road connections with other cities are the And Krakow, which has a large hotel observatory, an ethnographic park, cable the stadium effort is: A design competition, best in Poland. Chorzow also has soccer tra- base, is nearby, Chorzow backers say. railway, fair and sled run. day from 12:00 p.m. the first step toward realizing the project, has dition on its side. Silesia has a strong soccer They also contend that the city is no lon- And Silesia is modernizing its roads net- yet to be announced. In addition, no demoli- tradtion and Silesian Stadium is the most im- ger an ugly hub of mining and heavy indus- work for the soccer championships. tion work has started on Warsaw’s old 10th portant arena in Polish soccer history. Those try. The mines have been closed, and the The new setup will improve traffic flow Anniversary Stadium. The new stadium, the who oppose having Silesia play the lead role steel and chemical industries are playing a in the city center, in residential districts and National Sports Center, is to rise at the 10th in the soccer championships contend that much smaller role than they used to in the on roads outside the city. It will include ex- Anniversary site. The Polish Soccer Associ- the area lacks enough lodging for the tens of area’s economy. The city is now focusing its cellent highway connections to other cities. ation will suggest to the European Football thousands expected for the event. development on higher education, small and Like the soccer-stadium construction, the Association that Chorzow be the site of the They don’t see Chorzow as the kind of at- medium enterprises, commerce and retail. roads revitalization is proceeding according first match, or possibly Poznan, the news- tractive city that international visitors would As for tourist attractions, Chorzow boasts to plan, Gazeta Wyborcza reported. Reservations: Tel.: (0) 12 422-5323 www.ipanema.pl 12 The Krakow Post KATOWICE AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 Bledowska Desert soon to be revitalized Joanna Zabierek 40 meters. In some places it reaches 70 me- STAFF JOURNALIST ters. The overall formation is 9 kilometers long and 3 to 4 kilometers wide. Pustynia Bledowska has long been Cen- As late as the 1960s you could still see tral Europe’s largest desert. such major desert phenomena as oases, It is also Poland’s largest area of sand sandstorms, sand swirls and mirages in the dunes away from salt water. desert. Those two claims to fame make it worth During that decade, however, farmers preserving. decided to plant Caspian willow along the But the sandy area between Klucze, edge of the desert to keep sand from blow- Chechlo and Bledow is shrinking because ing onto their land. vegetation has either Once the long-leafed been planted there or has violet willow took hold, taken hold naturally. The desert is only it quickly overran other The desert is only a areas of the dunes. fifth as large as it was a a fifth as large as The Nature 2002 Net- few hundred years ago work listed the Bledowska – 32 square kilometers it was a few hun- Desert as one of the sites today against 80 at the that should receive spe- beginning of the 19th dred years – 32 cial protection to preserve Century and 150 in the square kilometers its unique character. distant past. Members of the Polish Polish naturalists today against 80 at Sahara Association and know that if something of the Polish Academy is not done, it will dis- the beginning of of Sciences in Krakow appear altogether. That’s decided to team up to why they have drawn up the 19th Century save the desert, the Polish a restoration plan that news agency Polish Press includes a timetable for and 150 in the Agency (PAP) reported. the work, the newspaper distant past. Marian Pajdak, head of Gazeta Krakowska has the Nature 2000 Network, reported. said the organization add- Local officials have come aboard the ed 50 areas this year to its list of sites that Pustynia Bledowska has long been Central Europe’s largest desert. It is also Poland’s largest area of sand dunes away from salt naturalists’ efforts by putting together an ought to be preserved. water. Those two claims to fame make it worth preserving. association of the region’s communities as Four are in the Malopolska region – the a support group. Bledowska Desert, the Nature Complex The national government would actually in Jaroszowiec, the Small Pieniny Moun- direct the restoration work. tains in Podhale and the Białka Valley in The EU, wanting the desert to remain Podhale. Pajdak said naturalists want to one of the sites listed in the Nature 2000 see vegetation stripped from the southern Network, has pledged money to restore it, edge of the desert and the weeding out of according to Radio Katowice. plants that took root on their own in other A glacier left the Bledowska Desert in places in the sand. They also want to see its wake when it melted thousands of years steps taken to prevent the pristine dunes in ago, according to the Internet encyclopedia the north from being overrun. Wikipedia. Pajdak said “the first effects would be The depth of the desert’s sand averages visible in five to eight years’ time.” EU lends hand to region From MALOPOLSKA on Page 1

In recent years small enterprises’ “de- new grant money on new roads and mod- mand for financing from the EU has ex- ernizing the water and sewage systems. ceeded by three or four times the funds The community would also like to im- available,” said Andrzej Komanski, direc- prove its flood-prevention system with an tor of Regional Financing Institution of the eye toward securing the Niepolomicka In- Malopolska Agency for Regional Develop- dustrial Zone. ment. Community leaders believe those initia- That may continue to be the case, but the tives will attract new business to the area, EU’s signoff on the regional development creating more jobs. plan means there will be a “continuation Together, the projects on Niepolomice’s of financial support for entrepreneurs,” he wish list would cost more than 10 mln said. euro. The greatest beneficiaries of the EU Malopolska Province began working on money will be local governments – but its EU proposal in 2005. The Polish govern- the amount each will get has yet to be de- ment signed off on the plan in February of termined. They will have to come up with this year. proposals for slices of the pie. Then Polish officials began negotiating An example of a community that has with EU officials in Brussels about the plan. used EU funds wisely to develop its econ- The discussions ended two weeks ago. omy is Niepolomice. The finished document is now awaiting It used its last Integrated Regional Op- the signature of Danuta Hübner, the EU’s erational Program grant to convert part of commissioner for regional development, a castle that dates to the Renaissance into a according to Malopolskie Province spokes- hotel and conference center. woman Kinga Krason. Adam Twardowski, head of the commu- The first competition among govern- nity council’s Office of Development Strat- ments in the region for new grants is likely egy, said Niepolomice would like to use any to come in September, Krason said. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 ARTS & IDEAS The Krakow Post 13 Big-budget Indian Mumerus travels to kitsch dazzles tus quo, until the very end, when it turns out the viewers have in fact been tricked during the whole film. This narrative schizophre- nia is reflected by the camera work - the camera darts about like an angry wasp, and sometimes one’s head spins trying to read unknown countries the subtitles and follow the action simulta- neously. used. Added to all this is the kind of Indian hy- When the actors are permitted to act and per-kitsch that only a big budget can fully not merely declaim, it becomes clear that allow. The women almost always have wind they have some talent. machines blowing back their immaculate And so one feels that this could have hair-dos, when the criminal protagonist been something quite lovely, if only one pulls off a maneuver a breathless female felt there was something motivating it, if voice whispers “Don...Don...Don...Don” only the bizarreness were a little more bi- into an echo-microphone from somewhere zarre, if only... and so on. off-camera, and a mid-air grapple for a para- Laputa & Lagado will be re-staged in chute near the end is perhaps more prepos- September in the Groteska Theater (see: terous than anything James Bond has ever if you have not been discouraged). Mean- had to pull off. The lead actor has to produce while, the stage on Kanonicza has a full idiotic one-liners like: “My enemies’ great- program of independent theater groups est mistake is being my enemies.” lined up until September 2, by playwrights English-language viewers will also find including Gombrowicz, Diderot, Ionesco the spoken text quite humorous. The lan- and Mrozek. Soren A. Gauger guage of the film is Hindi, of course, but sTAFF JOURNALIST practically every sentence has a sprinkling “If you know anything of English, especially when the character Absurd as it may sound, the new In- would like to say something cool or tough. about Gulliver’s dian production “Don” directed by Farhan Thus a Hindi statement will conclude with Akhtar is a rather bad film, but a fairly good “And keep the change” or some other Eng- adventures, you know Bollywood film. That is to say, adhering to lish phrase, simply because this presumably that he travels to a land of the criteria that a Western film critic takes sounds cool to the Hindi ear. This happens with him to the cinema, the film has nothing with such frequency that I believe an English little people (Lilliput), a in particular to offer, but then any sensible viewer could watch this film understand- critic knows that these same criteria have no ing neither the spoken Hindi nor the Polish land of giants place in Bollyworld, and that one has to start subtitles.But I started off by saying this was from different presuppositions. a good Bollywood film, because at three Soren A. Gauger Laputa & Lagado is, alas, no exception. (Brobdingnag), and then... What are these presuppositions, then? Ev- hours long it is simply remarkable that a sTAFF JOURNALIST Like most satirists, Swift was more of a erything must happen very quickly, the plot film critic with such low expectations could didactic (not to say pedantic) writer than Well, exactly. Meanwhile, must twist back and forth and then come be so stupidly entertained. I believe I smiled Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels is a literary one at times, a writer who was lunging at you like some crazed jack-in-the- through almost the entire film. And one of unique among famous books in the English more interested in driving a point home Krakow’s Mumerus box, and logical cause-and-effect relation- the unquestionable virtues of Indian popular language not only because it is an outstand- than getting caught up in the subtleties and ships between scenes are suspended and re- culture is how seamlessly and unironically it ing and imaginative work of satire, but also ambiguities of language as such. group (affiliated with the placed by whatever is visually intoxicating. incorporates traditional culture. because nobody reads more than the first Mumerus exacerbates this situation by Groteska Puppet I may not understand why the protagonists At one point there is a massive dance half of the book. removing the character of Gulliver from are suddenly singing and dancing, but sweet scene with the protagonist heading a reli- If you know anything about Gulliver’s the stage, and making him only an occa- Theater) have taken it Jesus just look at that sparkling dress and gious procession of hundreds of men and adventures, you know that he travels to a sional, ghostly narrative voice. isn’t that a catchy tune. And so on for nearly women dressed in traditional costume and land of little people (Lilliput), a land of It’s an interesting choice, but it does upon themselves to three hours(!). banging on tablas, but not to wink and giants (Brobdingnag), and then... Well, leave the actors on stage with little to do The Bollywood formula is fairly well make fun of this tradition, simply because exactly. Meanwhile, Krakow’s Mumerus but to recite the peculiarities of their re- present Part III known by now, having established itself they seem to like it. Coming from a culture group (affiliated with the Groteska Pup- spective lands to the audience. worldwide and become a veritable cultural where mindless popular entertainment pits pet Theater) have taken it upon themselves With almost no room for dialogue or in- of this book, in a phenomenon in Great Britain among other itself violently against tradition, this recon- to present Part III of this book, in a per- teraction, this becomes satire with a sledge- performance entitled, places, and “Don” does not attempt to depart ciliation is strangely touching and, I believe, formance entitled, “Laputa and Lagado,” hammer. much from the tried-and-true formula. So instructive. which is part of the ongoing Sten non-in- This is in some sense a shame, because “Laputa and Lagado,” here we have a standard gangster plot with Ultimately, of course, if you do go to see stitutional theater festival at the theater on the machines created for the play – a me- charismatically mugging lead actors, and this film then you can expect brainless en- ul. Kanonicza 1. chanical violin contraption, a word-making which is part of the every twenty minutes or so everything stops tertainment of the highest caliber for three The idea, I believe, is a good one. Enter- machine – the masks and costumes, and and there is a long song and dance routine. hours, and you can expect to be astounded at ing the theater, one is suddenly very curious the use of musical instruments, such as a ongoing Sten Having said that, the plot here is more how adamantly, beautifully different Indian as to what on Earth could be in this third wineglass and a Jew’s harp, are all quite non-institutional complex than usual. The first ten minutes culture remains in this allegedly globalized chapter, and the combination of a puppet inventive. give us a very involved exposition in the world of ours. But please, don’t tell anyone theater and Swift sounds like a good one. Moreover, the confusion of languages theater festival at form of a police-station briefing, but from I told you to go see it. Unfortunately, Mumerus has a long- on-stage makes the production quite acces- then on the protagonists and antagonists “Don” is playing a limited engagement at standing tradition of coming up with wor- sible to foreign viewers, who ought to be the theater on switch places and are undermined every ten Pod Baranami Cinema on Rynek Glowny. thy ideas and then not taking advantage of able to piece most of it together from the minutes, so that plot twists become the sta- For more info: www.kinopodbaranami.pl them. Italian/English/German/Latin/Czech being ul. Kanonicza 1.”

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Tel.: 513 646 332 [email protected] 14 The Krakow Post ALTERNATIVE CONSUMER AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 Work of renowned Ukrainian artist Town of Old Believers Mikhail Kolesnik for sale at Gallery W&L

Ukrainian artist Mikhail Kolesnik. Mikhail Kolesnik’s burning desire to create helped him to find a rare and truthful harmony of color. His remark- able knowledge of the ancient world together with his love for Russian art and immense sympathy for Western European painting allowed him to form a unique perception of color – an em- pire of colors that is vivid in his work. Kolesnik’s one-of-a-kind perception of color opened new paths for the artist, helping him to overcome the limits fac- ing artists of less esteem and ingenuity. Kolesnikov created numerous paintings worthy of praise for their depth and range of color. For the artist, life and art were a single process of continuous learning, and a prism through which he worked to understand nature.

Bialostocczyzna is widely known as one of the most beautiful regions of Poland. The forests and wildlife are good reasons to visit this area of northeastern Poland. Another reason is the Orthodox landmarks.

Magdelna Lyko for this area and has a web site: www.po- tion of these reforms. The Old Believers’ alystok, Bielsk Podlaski and Hajnowka, you sTAFF JOURNALIST granicze.sejny.pl. The foundation is devoted defiance brought persecution by the church, will see more modern churches. Some are to building bridges between the people of and they fled to Poland. The biggest group huge, looking like apartment buildings. Bialostocczyzna is widely known as one different religions, ethnicities, nationalities now lives in Gabowe Grady. Old or new, all Orthodox churches have of the most beautiful regions of Poland. The and cultures. At first glance, you can see a lot of dif- domes. The number of domes on each forests and wildlife are good reasons to visit The foundation also has a delightful li- ferences between Old Believers and other church has special significance: One means this area of northeastern Poland. Another brary with many informational movies. Se- Poles. Old Believer women wear long skirts, one’s God, two is the nature of Jesus and reason is the Orthodox landmarks. Many jny, Suwalki and Augustow are three towns and the men never cut their beards. They fast five signifies Jesus and four evangelists. people may be unaware that the area con- where you can look for a special kind of Or- for many days. They also do not drink tea Also worth noting are the icons inside the tinues to be the home of many Orthodox thodox group – Old Believers. The history or smoke. churches and the legends that accompany people. And so we begin the tour... of this group of people began in 1652 when The reason, as one of them told me: them. World War II destroyed many Ortho- A good place to start the journey is in Nikon, the seventh patriarch of the Russian “When Jesus died, all plants died, too, ex- dox landmarks. Only one monastery has Sejny, a small town with an interesting and Orthodox Church, instituted some church cept for two. Tea and tobacco bloomed.” remained in continuous operation in Poland complicated history. Catholics, Jews, Evan- reforms. Travel through Bialostocczyzna reveals since ancient times – Saint Onufry Monas- gelicals and Orthodox live together, but not Old Believers didn’t agree with the many small and beautiful Orthodox church- tery in Jableczna, which dates to the 15th always in harmony. changes, and to this day they continue litur- es from the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of Century. The Borderland (“Pogranicze”) Founda- gical practices which the Russian Orthodox them are almost all blue, which means they The Saint Mountain Grabarka monastery tion in Sejny is a good source of information Church maintained before the implementa- are named after angels. In cities such as Bi- for Orthodox women was founded after World War II, but the mountain was a land- mark for Polish Catholics for a long time before. A fountain there is reported to have saved people from an 18th Century epidem- ARKA NOEGO ic. The people who were saved began to car- Our restaurant is located ry crosses. Today more than 10,000 crosses adorn the mountain, giving it a second name: Gallery W&L in one of the oldest The Mountain of 10,000 Crosses. buildings in Kazimierz. A third interesting site is the rebuilt mon- astery in Suprasl. Here you can visit the Mu- We serve all kinds of Jewish seum of Icons. Some of the almost 300 icons The only gallery cuisine, based mostly date to the 18th Century and are displayed on local recipes. with special lighting and Orthodox music. with genuine Come to enjoy delicious You can also learn how icons are made. Another place to learn about icons is the Russian and Jewish dishes. Post-Secondary School for Making Icons in Bielsk Podlaski. The school founded by Ukrainian art Live klezmer music Father Tofiluk is the only one of its kind in Poland and accepts Catholic students as well in Krakow. every night at 20:00. as Orthodox, as long as they are believers. Open daily: 09:00-02:00 Icons are considered a form of Orthodox Open Daily: prayer, and so is music. No instruments are used, only voices. In May, the town of 11-20 ul. Szeroka 2 Hajnowka hosts the International Festival of +48 (12) 4291528 ul. sw. Jana 30 [email protected] Orthodox Church Music. The choirs come [email protected] www.arka-noego.pl not only from Poland but from throughout the Orthodox world. AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29, 2007 The Krakow Post

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