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Cracovians young and old came to the opening of a special exhibit on the celebrated Polish-American actress Helena Modjeska at the National History Museum in Krakow on April 8. The opening featured short performance pieces about Helena Modjeska’s life as well as speeches from Consul General Anne Hall, Director of the National History Museum Michal Niezabitowski and a representative from the Ministry of Culture
The exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of Helena Modjeska (Helena Modrzejewska) and presents the life and work of this prominent actress who won the hearts and respect of both Polish and American theater audiences at the end of the 19th century. The exhibit includes about 300 various artifacts connected with Helena Modjewska: pictures, painted portraits, theater posters, costumes and the actress’s personal objects. One of the most interesting parts of the exhibit is the collection of Modjeska’s mementoes from the Bowers Museum in California. The exhibition is also part of U.S. Mission Poland’s year-long celebration of the 90th anniversary of Polish-American diplomatic relations. “Helena Modjeska is a wonderful example of the close people-to-people ties that the U.S. and Poland share”, noted Consul General Anne Hall.
The exhibition is under the honorary patronage of Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Embassy of the United States in Warsaw and the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow. The exhibition will be at the Krzysztofory Palace in Rynek Głowny in Krakow from April 9 to September 20, and at the Theater Museum of Polish National Opera in Warsaw from October 2009 to January 2010. For more information, please see the website: www.mhk.pl/wystawy/pozycja_czasowe/245
