Western City - a piece of the American Southwest in Poland's Southwest

August 1, 2008

The Consul General at the opening of the 9th International Polish Rodeo and Western Horse Riding Championship at "Western City" in Karpacz.       (photo gallery)

The Consul General opened the 9th International Polish Rodeo and Western Horse Riding Championship at "Western City" in Karpacz, Lower Silesia, on August 1.  Riders from all over Poland competed in reining, barrel racing and other western riding classes.  Western riding is growing rapidly in popularity in Poland, with Poles now ranking among some of the top riders in Europe and the world.  While in the area the Consul General also met with Karpacz Mayor Bogdan Malinowski, with whom she discussed plans to improve the tourism infrastructure in Karpacz.  She then travelled to Jelenia Gora, where she met with Deputy Mayor Jerzy Luzniak, Hubert Papaj, Chairman of the City Council, and Jerzy Pokoj, Chairman of the Lower Silesian Provincial Council, who also organized the Rodeo and founded "Western City".  In Szlarska Poreba, the CG met with Zbgniew Brozek, Deputy Mayor, Grzegorz Sokolinski, Chairman of the City Council, and Grazyna Biederman, Director of City Promotion.  The CG visited the historical Lesna Huta glassworks in Szlarska Poreba.  She also travelled to Karkonoski National Park, where she met with Director Andrzej Raj and Park Spokesman Michal Makowski and visited the Park's rare peat-bogs and historical "Samotnia" shelter.