Projects

The Best of Polish Composers

The concert presented the most beautiful works by outstanding Polish composers: Fryderyk Chopin – a piano poet and icon of classical music; Stanisław Moniuszko – father of the Polish National Opera; Henryk Wieniawski – one of the greatest violinists in history; Ignacy Paderewski – the most famous pianist of his time; Karol Szymanowski – the father of Polish music of the 20th century, and Grażyna Bacewicz – a leading Polish composer who introduced Polish classical music to the international mainstream. The songs were performed by outstanding artists. Metropolitan Opera soloist Piotr Buszewski brilliantly performed the song ”Do you know this country” and an aria from the Opera ”The Haunted Manor” by S. Moniuszko, Kate Liu bronze medalist of the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, performed Chopin’s compositions and charmed the audience with her sensitivity. and musical intuition. As part of the project, a Knowledge Competition about Polish Composers was organized dedicated to young people of Polish origin. Over 40 participants took part in the competition presenting a high level of knowledge, 6 participants were awarded prizes.

Memory Brings Us Together

The year 2023 marked the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, in which the Jewish people took up a heroic fight against the German occupier. The “Memory Brings Us Together” project paid tribute to people who performed extraordinary acts of courage in defense of human dignity. The event took place in The Caufman Music Center in Manhattan and was accompanied by an exhibition. The program began with a film with archival materials and eyewitness accounts, in the artistic part was presented works by F. Chopin and Polish composers of Jewish origin. The event was a success and was well received by the NY public and NY authority. A congratulations letter was send by the Mayor Eric Adams. Honorary Patronages: Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York Adrian Kubicki, Partners: PZU Foundation, Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw and the Polish Cultural Institute in New York.

The footsteps of Maurycy Mochnacki in Warsaw

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An project aimed to build a collective memory by referring to the places related to Maurycy Mochnacki in Warsaw. We introduced Maurycy Mochnacki, a great patriot and philosopher, the ideological leader of the November Uprising. We presented Mochnacki’s Warsaw and the traces of the uprising struggles, which are often unconsciously completely ignored. Wawrzyniec Rymkiewicz and Tomasz Herbich, professors from the University of Warsaw took part in the project. The event was accompanied by the competition “The footsteps of Maurycy Mochnacki in Warsaw”. The project partner was the Lotto Foundation.

Arthur Rubinstein, The Chopin Poet

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In cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations, the Culture and Arts Foundation organised at Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York an evening on the occasion of National Independence Day dedicated to the memory of Artur Rubinstein, a great pianist and a great Polish patriot in connection with the 135th anniversary of his birth and 40th anniversary of his death in 2022.

November 11, 1918 is one of the most important dates in the history of Polish statehood. On this day Marshal Józef Piłsudski became commander-in-chief of the Polish army, and an armistice was concluded in Compiegne, France, marking Germany’s defeat in World War I. This deal was confirmed six months later with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. After 123 years of partitions by Germany, Russia and Austria – a captivity marked by struggle, death and huge efforts of many generations of Poles. Poland regained its sovereignty. During the annual celebration on November 11th, we honor the memory of those to whom we owe our own state, to whom we managed to raise the country from the enormous destruction of World War I, and create conditions for economic development and modernization. The heroes of that period, despite harassment, arrests, deportations and repression by the partitioners, were able to preserve and develop the national identity to pass it on to future generations. Polish Ambassador to the UN Krzysztof Szczerski referred to Arthur Rubinstein’s patriotic manifestation during the UN inaugural concert in San Francisco, when delegates gathered in the Opera House on May 13, 1945. Due to Stalin’s objections, representatives of Poland were not invited to the conference. When A.Rubinstein realized that there was no Polish flag among the many national flags, he sat down at the piano, played the American anthem in standard fashion and then stood up and addressed the audience: “In this hall, where great nations gather to make a better world, the flag of Poland, over which this cruel war was fought, is missing; and so I will play the Polish national anthem.” He asked the audience of delegates, including Russians, to rise. He then played the Polish anthem, and not at the usual mazurka tempo, but very slowly, ending with a repetition of the last phrase with great force. The audience gave Rubinstein a standing ovation, applause overshadowed applause for any of the speakers.The audience at the Consulate, diplomats from the Permanent Representative to the United Nations applauded the film about A.Rubinstein and the recital of F.Chopin’s music performed by Antoni Boryshevskij, winner of the A.Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv.

The event was organized at the Polish Consulate General in New York in cooperation with the Ambassador to the United Nations, Krzysztof Szczerski. We had the pleasure of hosting diplomats from diplomatic missions to the UN. The large audience applauded a film with archival materials about A.Rubinstein during the inaugural concert of the UN in San Francisco, where  A.Rubinstein plays Dąbrowski’s Mazurka. The event at the Polish Consulate ended with a recital of Chopin’s works performed by Antoni Boryszevskij, winner of the A.Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv. The Culture & Art Foundation also implemented an online educational project presenting little-known episodes from the life of Arthur Rubinstein, a great Polish patriot who was one of the greatest and most famous pianists in the world. For Rubinstein Chopin was a force of nature, a man of fire and ice, a fellow patriot who recorded the tragic history of Poland in music. The project Partner was PFR Foundation

We have also implemented an online educational project presenting little-known episodes from the life of Arthur Rubinstein, a great Polish patriot. Arthur Rubinstein (1887–1982) was one of the greatest and most famous pianists in the world. Considered a citizen of the world, his art transcends national borders and has been awarded the highest decorations and orders in the world. Chopin was a force of nature for Rubinstein, a man of fire and ice, a fellow patriot who encapsulated the tragic history of Poland in music.

IGNACY PADEREWSKI TRIBUTE GALA

On October 21, 2021, New Yorkers commemorated the 80th anniversary of the death of Ignacy Jan Paderewski who died Manhattan’s Buckingham Hotel in New York City, now The Quin Central Park by Hilton. The gala concert took place at the beautiful Town Hall Theatre in midtown Manhattan. The concert featured outstanding artists, winners of many prestigious music competitions, including the International F. Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw (Russian pianist Alexander Kobrin), the International H. Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poznan and the 10th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poznan. Wieniawski Competition in Poznań and 10th International Violin Competition in Indianapolis (Taiwanese-American violinist Richard Lin), Kościuszko Foundation Chopin Piano Competition and Jacob Flier Competition winner (Takeshi Nagayasu from Japan) and Magdalena Stern-Baczewska – pianist, Professor of Music and Director of Music Performance Program at Columbia University. She is a laureate of the award of the Polish Minister of Culture for outstanding achievements in promoting Polish culture abroad. Kenneth Merrill is an American pianist and conductor who has collaborated with such artists as Gérard Souzay, Anna Moffo, John Aler, Anthony Dean Griffey, Charlotte Hellekant, Jennifer Aylmer, Randall Scarlata, Faith Esham, Ruth Golden, Jeanette Thompson and William Ferguson. As an opera conductor, he recently conducted Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Nevada Opera and conducted Handel’s Giulio Cesare with Maryland Opera. Kyoung Im Kim a pianist from South Korea and winner of numerous competitions. She performs in Europe, USA and Asia. Special guest for the evening was Metropolitan Opera soloist MaryAnn McCormick, who has over 140 performances on the Metropolitan Opera stage including Valkyrie, Don Carlo, Carmen, La Traviata, The Magic Flute, L’Enfant et Les Sortilèges, Rigoletto, and The Ghosts of Versailles. In the 2015 season, she appeared at the Metropolitan Opera as Giovanna in Verdi’s Ernani conducted by James Levine with Placido Domingo as Carlo. The concert program included works by Polish composers: F. Chopin, I. Paderewski, H. Wieniawski and beautiful atmospheric opera arias. The gala was held under the auspices of the R. Dmowski and I. Paderewski Institute for the Heritage of National Thought, the Polish Congress and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. Paderewski, Polish American Congress in Washington DC, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, Polish Cultural Institute in New York, in cooperation with Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation, Taube Philanthropies, Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, Pilsudski Institute of America, Polish Supplementary Schools of America, Ignacy Paderewski Festival in Raleigh, Polish Cultural Foundation Clark in New Jersey, Polish Cultural Foundation (PCF) in Boston, Polish Heritage Society in Philadelphia, Nowodworski Foundation, Society of Polish American Travel Agents, and many others. Media patrons: TVP Polonia, Nowy Dziennik, Dziennik Związkowy, Dziennik Polonijny, Kurier Plus, White Eagle, Super Express USA.

IGNACY JAN PADEREWSKI 

(18 November 1860 – 29 June 1941) was an exceptional figure, pianist, composer, polyglot, politician, statesman, businessman, patron of art and architecture, winegrower and icon who led a remarkable life. He exemplifies the pinnacle of what a man of humble origins yet extraordinary talent, relentless work ethic, and a great gift for self-promotion could achieve in his time.Paderewski was one of the most famous people of the 20th century. He wrote the opera Manru, which had its American premiere on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York on February 14, 1902 with Aleksander Bandrowski as Manru, Marcellina Sembrich as Ulana, Walter Damrosch, composer’s friend as a conductor. Ignacy Paderewski was an extremely wealthy man generously donating to numerous causes, charities and sponsoring monuments, among them the Washington Arch in New York. Paderewski shared his fortune generously with fellow countrymen, as well as with citizens and foundations from around the world. During his long career, Ignacy Paderewski played thousands of concerts in the largest concert halls on five continents. Public loved him, especially the American public. In 1941, he witnessed a touching tribute to his artistry and humanitarianism as US cities celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first American tour by putting on a Paderewski Week with over 6,000 concerts in his honour. Paderewski died on June 29th in New York, the city where Paderewski’s American adventure began. Paderewski’s funeral in St. Patrick’s Cathedral was attended by a capacity crowd of 4,500 with 35,000 outside the church. President Roosevelt issued a special decree allowing Paderewski’s body to be laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery. The artist’s wish was to be buried in free Poland. This wish was granted in 1992 when his remains were transferred to Poland and his ashes placed in a crypt in St. John’s Cathedral in Warsaw. Mass was attended by President George Bush and Polish President Lech Walesa. The heart of Paderewski remains in America. “My heart belongs to America,” he told his sister shortly before he died. In accordance with his wishes, heart was removed from his body and is entombed at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pa. On 8 October 1960, the United States Post Office released two stamps commemorating Ignacy Jan Paderewski.

Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński At the service of the nation

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“Such a Man happens once in a thousand years” – These words were spoken by Pope John Paul II in the year of the death of Primate Cardinal Wyszynski. Primate went down in history as one of the greatest figures in the history of the Polish Church. His teaching and relations with the faithful as well as his unyielding attitude towards the communist authorities earned him, next to Karol Wojtyla, a permanent place among the most eminent Polish pastors of the 20th century. Stefan Wyszyński was born on August 3, 1901 in Zuzela on the Bug River, on the border between Podlasie and Mazovia, which at that time was part of the Russian partition. Already at the age of nine he refused to attend a Russian school and for two years he studied at home. Many years later Stefan Wyszyński became a priest and then a professor of canon law and sociology at the Major Seminary in Wloclawek. During the Warsaw Uprising Stefan Wyszyński worked as a chaplain of the institution for the blind in Laski near Warsaw. He gave lectures at clandestine universities, helped in hospital work, washed bandages and uniforms, transferred the sick and supported those undergoing operations. Later he returned to Wloclawek, where he began rebuilding the seminary. In 1946, he became bishop of Lublin and was consecrated bishop at Jasna Góra. Two years later Pope Pius XII appointed Stefan Wyszyński archbishop of Gniezno-Warsaw and Primate of Poland, and later cardinal.  During the period of communist repression, Wyszynski defended the nation’s Christian identity. On September 25, 1953 he was arrested, without indictment, trial or sentence he was imprisoned for three years, until October 28, 1956. He was held in Rywałd Królewski, Stoczek Warmiński, Prudnik Śląski and Komańcza. In Rywałd he was guarded by 20 guards, he was not even allowed to look out of the window, which for security was covered with paper. Later he was moved to Stoczek Warmiński near Lidzbark, where he was guarded by more than 30 people. The living conditions in the soggy building were reminiscent of a prison dungeon, which soon took its toll on the Primate’s health. In October 1954, he was transferred to a new place of detention in Prudnik Slaski. The conditions there were already better, so he could work more intensively. In 1955, after another forced move, the Primate was taken to the Monastery of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Komańcza, where he could meet with his former colleagues. In 1956, warmly welcomed by crowds of the faithful. He returned to Miodowa Street in Warsaw.The years 1956-1966 were the most important period of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński’s Primate ministry. During this time he developed and carried out a great pastoral program in Poland, which included the Jasna Góra Vows of the Nation, the nine-year Great Novena, and the celebration of the millennium of the Baptism of Poland.Primate presided over all the millennium celebrations that took place in 1966. Together with the Episcopate, he walked the “Millennium Trail” in great thanksgiving of the Nation and the Church. The culmination of the millennium celebrations was the feast of the Queen of Poland, May 3, 1966. Stefan Wyszynski was the only Polish cardinal who participated in the conclave four times. On October 16, 1978 he took part in the conclave which elected Karol Wojtyla as Pope. During the solemn inauguration of the pontificate of John Paul II in the Vatican, cardinals customarily paid homage to the Pope, while to the astonishment of the whole world, John Paul II, as a sign of respect for the Cardinal, rose from the throne, kissed his hand and shook it. Never in history has such a situation occurred. The crowning achievement in the life and desires of Cardinal Wyszynski was the first pilgrimage of John Paul II to his homeland in June 1979. Wyszynski treated his visit as a great celebration for the whole of Poland and a kind of completion of his mission: “Now I can really die,” he told his associates after the Pope’s departure. In the fall of that same year, JP2 said: “In considering the contribution which the Primate of the Millennium made to the life of the Church and the Polish Nation, it is necessary to bear in mind above all the unimaginable love with which this great man embraced both the whole ecclesial community and our whole national community – a man of great spirit and power of influence, and at the same time of immense humility and modesty, conscious of his service to God and people. For him, the concept of homeland was inseparably connected with the concept of the Church. They constituted an inseparable unity, which he wanted to serve humbly. As head of the Church in Poland he professed: “I love the homeland more than my own heart and everything I do for the Church, I do for her” Cardinals Wyszynski and Wojtyla shared a deep friendship. The Metropolitan of Krakow regularly visited the Primate during his holidays, including in Bachledowka in Zakopane and near Warsaw. They had long conversations, discussed matters important to the Church and the nation, but also played volleyball. The Primate often refereed. The Archbishop of Krakow knew how important Primate Wyszynski was for the Church, and he had a special respect for him. Cardinal Wyszynski was an unquestionable moral authority, a spiritual co-creator of social changes that led to the fall of communism. Stefan Wyszynski, Primate of Poland, passed away on May 28, 1981, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. He was 80 years old, of which 57 years he lived as a priest, 35 years as a bishop, 32 years as Archbishop of Warsaw and Gniezno, Primate of Poland. The funeral of Cardinal Wyszynski became a great religious and patriotic manifestation. It was a funeral that expressed respect and honor for the Primate of the Millennium, who was called the father of the Nation. The funeral ceremonies were honoured by the Church hierarchs from all over the world. In a letter to the Poles, which at the same time was a tribute to the deceased, Pope John Paul II wrote that Cardinal Wyszynski was a fearless advocate of human dignity and his inviolable rights in personal, family, social and national life, noting that the Primate was a special example of living love for the Homeland. Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, an outstanding statesman considered one of the greatest Poles of the twentieth century, led the Catholic Church in Poland in the years 1948-1981. He was called the Primate of the Millennium, the nation’s chaplain in times of trial, a hero of the Church, a symbol of Polish courage, the Primate of historic changes.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Primate Institute of Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, the Polish Community Association and the Royal Łazienki in Warsaw.

210 YEARS WITH CHOPIN

210 years ago was born Fryderyk Chopin, one of the greatest pianists and composers in the history of music. His short life was full of major events, ups and downs, successes and dramas. Chopin was a musical genius, a talented composer and an unsurpassed pianist. He combined bold musical ideas with simplicity and folk motifs. He left behind music that exceeds the boundaries of beauty, his nocturnes, polonaises, waltzes, etudes, mazurkas, preludes and piano concerts made him one of the greatest composers of all time. Mastery of form, melodic and harmonic richness later became an unsurpassed model for many composers. In order to understand Chopin’s genius, we delve into the emotions rooted in his works.

The 210 YEARS WITH CHOPIN concert is a musical journey through time from Chopin’s youthful brilliant compositions, through heroic pieces from the immigration period, highly expressive pieces to sentimental pieces created at the end of the composer’s life. The program emphasizing its national character includes works by F. Chopin in the order of their creation. The concert featured outstanding artists: the star of the Metropolitan Opera Aleksandra Kurzak, winners of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw: Yulianna Avdeeva and Eric Lu, also Marek Bracha and soloists of the Wrocław Opera Ballet: Hannah Ho and Robert Kędziński. The concert was organized in cooperation with the Foundation of the International Chopin Festivals in Duszniki Zdrój and the Polish Community Association. The patron of the concert is the Patron of Polish Culture PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, the Partner of the PZU Foundation.

PADEREWSKI, A JOURNEY IN TIME

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Concert was realized in cooperation with the Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski Institute for the Heritage of the National Thought. Together with Paderewski, we moved to the times of Poland under the partitions, the times when Poland enjoyed the freedom it had gained, and at the end we saw how contemporary artists perceive Paderewski. The concert is a compendium of knowledge about Paderewski, presenting little-known episodes from the composer’s life and works by Ignacy Paderewski performed by outstanding artists: Karol Radziwonowicz, Marek Bracha and Basia Pospieszalska. The figure of Ignacy Paderewski is extremely interesting and multidimensional. He was a citizen of the world, a statesman, diplomat, virtuoso, composer, advocate of independent Poland, and above all a great patriot. He referred to working for a common cause, higher ideals and unity of all Poles. The motto of Paderewski’s life was: “For the consent and cooperation of all free Poles.

Ignacy Paderewski is a living example of how much a person of modest origin, but with exceptional talents can achieve. Paderewski ordered the inscription on his grave: “I am here only temporarily. I intend to return to Poland when it becomes an independent country again. ” The composer’s wish came true, his ashes were brought to Poland and deposited in the crypt in the Cathedral of St. John in Warsaw. The magnificent grave of the artist-politician at the Arlington Cemetery has remained and continues to attract the attention of millions of Americans

Concert Gala “Maestro returns to Carnegie Hall” took place at Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium in Memory of I. Paderewski on the 85th anniversary of his last concert at Carnegie Hall. Concert initiated the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence on the US with the participation on official delegation of the Polish Parliament, Sejm Deputy Marshal Beata Mazurek, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz, Polish Ambassador to the USA Piotr Wilczek, Secretary of State Anna Maria Anders, EU Ambassador to the United Nations Joao Vale de Almeida, Polish Ambassador to the UN Joanna Wronecka, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in NY Maciej Golubiewski, representatives of New York City authorities, Ambassadors at UN Security Council, over 100 representatives of state missions to the United Nations, Director of the American Jewish Committee, Ambassadors and General Consuls of many countries, representatives of the Association of Veterans of the Polish Army in America, representatives of numerous diasporas, management of the Piłsudski Institute of America, Polish Slavic Center, Polish Institute of Arts & Science of America, and the Board of management of the Quin Hotel, where Paderewski often stayed, calling the Hotel his second home. The event was a great media success, the Stern Auditorium with over 2800 seats was filled to the brim.

CHRISTMAS SHOW

Christmas Show is the largest Christmas Event in Poland, with over 100 artists on the stage. Premiere took place at the Grand Theater, Polish National Opera House. In 2018 Show was shown at the Roma Music Theater in Warsaw. The Christmas Show is an extraordinary journey into the world of the most beautiful Christmas traditions. Program consists of “Christmas Carol” by K. Dickens, ballet scenes from “The Nutcracker”, Waltz of Snowflakes, Grand Pas de Deux, Dance of Gifts by P. Tchaikovsky, winter scenes to the music of Antonio Vivaldi, Opera arias, Flower Duo from the Opera Lakme and Delibes, moody meditation from the Thais opera by Jules Massenet, the Christmas Crib and a meeting with Polish tradition in its most beautiful edition. In Christmas Show performed many outstanding artists, such soloists of the Polish National Opera House: Małgorzata Walewska, Izabella Kłosińska, Katarzyna Trylnik, Magdalena Idzik, Justynea Reczeniedi, Aleksandra Orłowska-Jabłońska, Adam Kruszewski, Adam Zdunikowski, Jacek Szponarski, Polish National Ballet and Polish National Ballet soloists such, Marta Fidler, Melissa Abel, Maksim Woitiul, Grand Theater Orchestra, famous polish actors: Zdzisław Wardejn, Jerzy Bończak, Wiktor Zborowski, Artur Barciś, Piotr Zelt, Wojciech Duryasz, Mirosław Zbrojewicz, Marek Lewandowski, Grzegorz Woś, Piotr Wiszniowski, Dariusz Wnuk and others. Performing great Choirs including the famous Warsaw Boys’ Choir conducted by Krzysztof Kusiel-Moroz. Occurred life animals such camels, goats, horses and reindeers. The spectacle is addressed to entire families, lovers of theater, opera and ballet, the varied program means that everyone can find something for themselves.

For the Freedom of Our Nations

Concert “For the Freedom of Our Nations” was organized in Doylestown, Pennsylvania during the celebrations of the Day of the Soldier and Centenary of the Armed Forces of the American and Canadian Polish Community in the year of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence. The paths to the independence of the United States and Poland have repeatedly crossed; love for freedom and the desire for justice have always been deeply rooted in our hearts. Many Poles fought to defend the independence of the United States, Tadeusz Kościuszko was named by President Thomas Jefferson “the noblest son of freedom,” and General Pulaski gave his life at the Battle of Savannah. On October 11, 2007, President George Bush said: “Celebrating General Pulaski Memorial Day, we honor the son of Poland, who was with America at the dawn of its independence. His bold achievements in America remind us of the great contribution that Americans of Polish descent make to America. “During the concert” For the Freedom of Our Nations, “pieces by F. Chopin, St. Moniuszki, I. Paderewski. Soloists of the Teatr Wielki / Polish National Opera and Marek Bracha performed for the first time in American Częstochowa, a talented pianist, laureate of many international piano competitions, Polish representative during the second stage of the 16th International Piano Competition. Frederic Chopin. Visitors to American Częstochowa had the opportunity to see two interesting exhibitions, ‘Million from Over the Ocean’, an exhibition organized in cooperation with the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk and an exhibition ‘General Kuklinski – Polish Lonely Mission’ organized in cooperation with the General Kuklinski Memorial Hall. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Poland, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Washington Piotr Wilczek, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in NY Maciej Golubiewski, General Cezary Wiśniewski, and numerous Honorary Guests.

„BASK REVELATION OF AMERICA”

Documentary film promoting Poland, was shown in NY and Hong Kong, won 8 awards – 6 for directing and two main awards. Became the winner of the New York International Film Festival – Equus Film Festival 2017. Film presents fascinating story of an Arabian horse named Bask, who was born and raised in the Polish Albigowa Stud. In 1963, he was sold to the United States, where after a dramatic trip across the Atlantic Ocean he reached Arizona. Bask made a stunning career in the United States, and the audience there simply fell in love with him. The stallion from Poland was also a real star and as such had its own requirements – when he went to shows in other states, two cisterns were dragged behind him, because he only drank water from sources in Arizona. Today, in the horse museum in Kentucky, you can admire the entire exhibition devoted to the Polish stallion. – The artist Edwin Bogucki, of Polish origin, carved a life-size statue of Bask, which is also rare, because in general the horse is not depicted alone, but accompanies the emperor or another outstanding personality. Now is standing in the lobby of the Kentucky Museum, where Bask is also buried. Ed Bogucki carved horses for a huge number of powerful of this world, including Arab sheikhs or Bill Gates. Bask is considered the greatest Arabian horse in the entire history of breeding these horses in the world, and the Americans hailed him as “the revelation of America.” The stallion left 1,045 Arabian foals, and his offspring at various shows won 505 Championships and 197 National Champion title. To date, no Arabian horse in the world had such achievements. Most American politicians, actors and celebrities have in their stables descendants of Bask, who they consider to be “family jewels”, due to, among others at the price of his offspring. The best breeders, trainers and people who love horses, like Shirley Watts, Denise Hearst, Lynn Asby, Lare Sawaya, Katarzyna Dowbor, Karol Strasburger were invited to give interviews.

COPERNICUS CENTER

Concert „In the Service of Homeland and Science” organized during the annual event “Taste Of Polonia” as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence. The program included works by F. Chopin, I. Paderewski and K. Szymanowski. Great pianists performed: prof. Paweł Chęciński, graduate of the renowned Juilliard School in NY, winner of many prestigious awards, and Piotr Pawlak, a talented pianist of the young generation from Gdańsk, the youngest Pole qualified for the International Piano Competition F. Chopin in Warsaw, winner of the Chopin Competition in Darmstadt.