Ambassador, Consul General Celebrate American Independence Day in Krakow

July 3, 2007

(from left): Consul General Anne Hall, Ambassador Victor Ashe and Mayor of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski

Krakow Mayor Jacek Majchrowski joined Ambassador Victor Ashe, Consul General Anne Hall and US Consulate staff for the celebration of America’s 231st birthday at the Sheraton in Krakow on July 3.  The Governor and Marshal of Malopolskie and officials from Podkarpackie also attended, along with Polish and European Parliamentarians, rectors, artists and local business representatives.  In his speech, Ambassador Ashe noted the long-standing Polish-American friendship that dates back to Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s participation in the American War for Independence.  Mayor Majchrowski also commented on the special role that Kosciuszko plays in Polish and American history in his remarks. Consul General Hall spoke about the excellent relationship between the US Consulate and the city of Krakow, The renowned opera singer Elzbieta Towarnicka sang the Polish national anthem, and special guest Scott Warwick, a firefighter from Ambassador Ashe’s home of Knoxville, Tennessee, sang the American anthem.  The US Army Europe Dixieland band entertained the crowd with American folk and jazz favorites.