Consulate Highlights
|
Consulate Celebrates Independence Day and "American Dream" July 2, 2009
A large crowd joined Ambassador Victor Ashe, Consul General Anne Hall and National Museum Director Zofia Gołubiew at the National Museum in Krakow on July 1 to celebrate America's Independence Day and see the new exhibition "American Dream". The party was in honor of the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 2009 also marks the 90th anniversary of Polish-American diplomatic relations. Ambassador Ashe acknowledged these two anniversaries at the celebration by noting, "It is in part thanks to the leadership of Poles like General Kosciuszko and General Pulaski that we were able to win our struggle for independence. 91 years ago, President Wilson tried to repay some of that debt by making the reestablishment of an independent Poland a central aim for the conclusion of World War 1." Guests at the Independence Day Celebration also were the first to see the new "American Dream" exhibition at the National Museum and enjoy several other American-themed exhibitions including photos from the American photographer Wee-Gee, historic Coca-Cola posters, and "Pierwszy krok", which features well-known contemporary American artists such as Andy Warhol and Eric Fischl.
To see a special Fourth of July message from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, please click here: http://bnet.state.gov/content/video/july4th.asp
For more on the National Museum's "Ameryka, Ameryka" summer series of exhibitions and events, please visit their web site at http://www.muzeum.krakow.pl/?L=1
|
Latest Headlines From the Consulate |
The "American Dream" Exhibition July 2, 2009
The U.S. Consulate General in Krakow, together with the National Museum and Jagiellonian University, invite the public to see the "American Dream" exhibition from July 2nd - October 4th, 2009 to experience a panorama of American culture with its iconic figures and events. The exhibit is a multimedia educational and artistic project that also features thirty Photorealist paintings from the collection of Louis K. and Susan P. Meisel. These paintings have never before been shown in Poland. For details on "American Dream" and to see the summer calendar of events that are accompanying the exhibition, please visit the American Dream website: http://www.amerykanski-sen.pl
American Students Visit Poland on U.S.-Poland Youth Exchange July 1, 2009
Fifteen high school students and two teachers from Chicago, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa, are wrapping up a four-week stay in Poland this week. The students and teachers are participating in the first edition of the U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Youth Leadership Exchange program. The American exchange participants spent their first two weeks in Poland living with host families, attending high school classes, interning with local organizations, and touring historic sites. Some students in the group visited Gdańsk while others went to Nowy Sącz. For their third week, the Americans assembled in Warsaw for a week-long program of civic education to learn more about Polish history, government, law, and culture. (more)
 |
| Tomasz Stańko performs in Hoover Square in Warsaw. Photo by Zygmunt Druzbicki. |
Tomasz Stańko Plays On Hoover Square to Promote "Jam Session" and "American Dream" Exhibits
June 29, 2009
Tomasz Stańko, the world-famous trumpeter, composer and Polish jazz ambassador, gave a special performance at Warsaw’s Hoover Square on Sunday, June 28 to promote two very special American exhibitions, announced Cultural Attaché, Chuck Ashley. Stańko has frequently performed and recorded with American jazzmen all over the world and in the US at such legendary venues like Birdland in New York City, Blues Alley in Washington, DC, and Hothouse in Chicago to mention just a few. The concert and the two exhibitions it promoted are offered in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations. Photos from the Hoover Square concert are available here. (more)
Polish Entry Wins Grand Prize in Global Democracy Video Challenge 16 June 2009
The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and U.S. Consulate General in Krakow are pleased to announce that Poland's Lukasz Szozda has won the grand prize among European entrants in the YouTube/U.S. Department of State Democracy Video Challenge. "We are very proud to see that one of the excellent contributions by Polish video artists went on to win the grand prize for Europe," U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe commented. "Congratulations to Lukasz from all of us in the U.S. Mission to Poland. Your uplifting and appealing video clearly struck the same chord with voters from around the world as it did with Polish voters and American diplomats in Poland." Mr. Szozda will travel to New York, Washington DC, and Hollywood in October 2009, where he and the five other grand prize winners from other regions around the world will meet with democracy activists and members of the film and television industry. The videos by Mr. Szozda and the other regional winners will be featured in a gala screening hosted by the Motion Picture Association of America. To see Lukasz Szozda's winning entry, click here. [more]
Yusef Komunyakaa Poetry Evenings June 10, 2009
An outstanding American poet from New York, Yusef Komunyakaa, visited Poland June 4-10. During three poetry readings in Wrocław, Krakow and Częstochowa the poet read a selection of his poems, which were also presented in their Polish translation. Poetry lovers who came to the poetry evenings showed interest in the background of his writing and the connection between his life and his poems. Yusef Komunyakaa is the author of 14 poetry collections, among them "Neon Vernacular", which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1993.
US Department of State Releases Trafficking in Persons Report 16 June 2009
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton released the ninth annual TIP Report in a public event at the State Department on June 16, 2009. The goal of this Report is to stimulate action and create partnerships around the world in the fight against modern-day slavery. Countries assessed as meeting the "minimum standards for the elimination of severe forms of trafficking" set forth in the TVPA are classified as "Tier 1," while those doing less will be classified as "Tier 2" or "Tier 3." Poland has been given a ranking of Tier 1, because the Government of Poland fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. This ranking recognizes that the Polish government has increased its reflection period for foreign victims to 90 days and also significantly increased funding for victim assistance programs. To read the entire TIP report click here. To view more information on Trafficking In Persons and a photo gallery click here. To read Secretary Clinton's op-ed on Trafficking In Person, click here. (more)
Ambassador Victor Ashe Visits Częstochowa June 4, 2009
Ambassador Victor Ashe visited Czestochowa on June 4. He toured the Shrine of the Black Madonna guided by Father Simon Stefanowicz of the Pauline Order. Ambassador, as an honorary guest of the Order and its Prior, Rev. Roman Majewski, had lunch in the historic refectory with several hundred monks and priests. He took part in an unveiling ceremony in basilica and saw the monastery's treasury. Ambassador Ashe visited with Archbishop Stanislaw Nowak, Head of the Czestochowa Diocese. On this very day, 30 years ago, John Paul II visited Archbishop Nowak in his palace during his first pilgrimage to Poland as Pope in 1979. In addition this day marked the 20th anniversary of democratic elections in Poland in 1989, celebrated as a victory over the Communist regime and the beginning of democratic reforms. At Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 5 Ambassador Ashe opened a new multimedia room co-funded by a State Department grant. The school has developed a curriculum on American Studies for high school students. The Ambassador gave the school a National Geographic DVD collection on American government. He took some questions from students who asked him, among other things, about his diplomatic career and impressions of Poland. Ambassador Ashe visited the Main State Fire Brigade School in Czestochowa. He toured the school's facilities with Brigadier Lesław Dereń, director of the school. The Ambassador observed the school's team preparing for the International Fire Fighters Olympic Games in Ostrava, Czech Republic, which will be held later this year. The Ambassador addressed the school's student body and teachers and praised them for their skill and competence. (more photos)
Consul General Meets with School Students June 9, 2009
Consul General Anne Hall met with a group of 50 school students from schools in Malopolska in the framework of the program " Herbaciarnia Naukowa - Aromaty Wiedzy" organized by the Panteon Narodowy na Skalce Foundation. The program hosts prominent persons from culture, politics and science under the patronage of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences and Jagiellonian University. The US Consul General was invited to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Polish - US diplomatic relations. During the meeting CG Hall talked about her career and lessons learned as an American diplomat. She also gave advice to the students how to be successful in life. After the lecture she answered questions about her Polish experiences and plans for the future.
Consul General Anne Hall and Ambassador Victor Ashe Meet with Cadets June 4, 2009
Consul General Anne Hall welcomed Ambassador Victor Ashe and 15 future American military leaders from the West Point Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at a reception in her home Thursday, June 4. Officers from Poland's Special Operations Forces and Sixth Parachute Brigade also joined in the reception. The cadets are currently in Poland as part of a summer program dedicated to the study of the Holocaust and prevention of genocide. The program, organized by the Auschwitz Jewish Center in Oświęcim and sponsored by the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York, brings the cadets to New York and Washington D.C. before their stay in Poland. While in Poland the cadets will visit the former Nazi death camps of Auschwitz and Bełżec and see historic Jewish sites in Poland, along with lectures at the Institute of Jewish Studies at Jagiellonian University and meetings with Holocaust survivors. The cadets will also study Polish history and culture, with a trip to southeastern Poland, including Łańcut and Jarosław. After completing the program, the cadets are expected to share their experiences with fellow cadets and peers in the Academies.
Ambassador Ashe Extends Congratulations to Prime Minister Tusk and the People of Poland For the 20th Anniversary of the Elections of June 4, 1989 4 June 2009
U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe sent an open letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and all the people of Poland on June 3, offering congratulations on behalf of the United States of America on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the elections of June 4, 1989. Ambassador Ashe saluted the Polish people for making a decisive break from Communist rule on that date. The letter acknowledges the pioneering role that the Polish people and Solidarity played in this historic act, which set the stage for the sweeping changes that came over the rest of East-Central Europe during the fall of 1989. The Ambassador wrote, "Twenty years ago today, Poland shocked the world with the first step towards free elections in the Warsaw Pact. Solidarity's decisive electoral victory launched a chain of events that returned democracy not only to Poland, but also to almost all of the former Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe." The U.S. Embassy and the American people salute the Polish people and the blow they struck for freedom and democracy twenty years ago. Please click here to read the Ambassador's letter. U.S. Department of State spokesman Ian Kelly also issued a statement of congratulations today. Please click here to read it.
President Obama Delivers Highly Anticipated Speech in Cairo June 4, 2009
On June 4, the President gave a speech in Cairo, Egypt, entitled “A New Beginning,” outlining his personal commitment to engagement with the Muslim world, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect, and discussed how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them. The speech was delivered at Al-Azhur University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the Muslim world, which includes over one billion believers around the globe. The President stated that, “I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim world based upon mutual interest and mutual respect…. We must act with the understanding that the challenges faced by people around the world are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.” President Obama described the role of positive role of Muslims through U.S. history and outlined the readiness of the United States to work with Muslim communities in countries around the world to improve economic, social, and educational conditions.
(Obama Calls for a New Beginning with Muslims Around the World - America.gov)(transcript of Barack Obama's speech)
90 Years of Diplomatic Relations between the U.S. and Poland
January 29 marks exactly 90 years to the day since the U.S. government established formal diplomatic ties with Poland. The United States was the first country to recognize the newly independent Poland, a country and its people severely damaged by war. On January 29, 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson extended full recognition to the new Polish Government under the Premiership of Ignacy Paderewski in an official telegram. He wrote: “It is my privilege to extend to you at this time my personal greetings and officially assure you that it will be a source of gratification to enter into official relations with you at the earliest opportunity, and to render to your country such aid as is possible at this time as it enters upon a new cycle of independent life.” According to the New York Times, a leading U.S. daily, the Polish population in the United States “gave itself over to general rejoicing over the action taken by the President.” Throughout the year 2009, the American Embassy in Warsaw and American Consulate General in Krakow will be joining with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and institutions throughout Poland to celebrate 90 years of Polish-American Diplomatic relations. (more)
|
|
| - Spotlight
- |
|
| - Other Information
- |
|
Contact information:
U.S. Consulate General in Krakow
ul. Stolarska 9
31-043 Krakow
Tel.: +48 12 424-5100
Fax: +48 12 424-5103
Consular Agency in Poznan
ul. Paderewskiego 8
61-770 Poznan
Tel.: +48 61 851-8516
Fax +48 61 851-8966
Other Links:
|
| - PHOTO CONTEST
- |
American Corner Wrocław and Consulate General Krakow organize a photo contest for dolnośląskie, śląskie, opolskie, małopolskie, and podkarpackie provinces:
"Jak dbamy o przyrodę a jak ją zaniedbujemy?" (How we care for and how we neglect nature?). Entries can be submitted April 22 - September 30, 2009.
Contest rules (in Polish)
|
|
;){kind=spacer}
;){kind=small}
