December 2011 - Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington

HE EDolor
MBASSY
LoremTIpsum
OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND NEWSLETTER
Spring 2012
WASHINGTON, DC DECEMBER 2011
#11
FROM THE AMBASSADOR
Dear Readers,
As 2011 comes to an end and we prepare for the Christmas
season, I extend my very best wishes to you on behalf of the
Embassy of Poland and the Consulate Generals of Poland in
the United States. The year has been extremely productive;
and the end of 2011 also coincides with the end of Poland’s
presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Jerzy Pomianowski cochaired the inaugural meeting of the Community of
Democracies Task Force for Moldova on December 7 with
Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s
Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies.
The meeting focused on supporting Moldova’s transition to
democracy.
On December 9, I was pleased to host my fellow EU and
European Ambassadors and diplomats at an event at our
Embassy celebrating the signing of the Republic of Croatia’s
EU accession treaty in Brussels. Poland is a strong believer in
a credible enlargement process that helps to reform and
change the EU and its neighborhood.
Poland is committed to supporting democracy in the EU’s
southern and eastern neighborhoods. Our Ministry of Foreign
Affairs hosted an international conference in Warsaw on
December 1-2 to discuss the Arab spring and Poland’s ongoing
support of the transformation processes in the region.
Poland is also concerned with the human rights that are under
attack in Belarus since the presidential elections on December
19, 2010. Belarusians – including journalists, editors and
ordinary citizens – are beaten and arrested for speaking out
against the regime. In cooperation with the German Marshall
Fund of the United States, we organized a journalism contest
for U.S. graduate and undergraduate students to shine a light
on Europe’s last dictator, Alexander Lukashenko.
GMF President Craig Kennedy and I hosted the winning
students at a reception on December 20 – one year since the
fraudulent elections in Belarus. It is our sincere hope that the
events in Belarus continue receiving press attention in the
West. We in Poland remember our own difficult times in the
1980s, when democratic nations supported our own striving
for independence, and the Solidarity movement that was so
key to the ending of communism in the former Soviet bloc.
The artist who created the iconic Solidarity logo opened his
first U.S. exhibit in Washington, DC this month. We bring
you an interview with him about that logo – as well as the logo
he created for Poland’s EU presidency.
Our Embassy’s Education section organized a conference
under the auspices of Poland’s EU presidency this month.
“Science and Technology Landscape in a Changing World –
Enhancing U.S. Collaboration with the EU and its Member
States” brought together U.S. and EU experts, scientists,
researchers, policy-makers, and was held in DC, in
cooperation with the American Association for the
Advancement of Science and the EU Delegation. The
conference explored the U.S. and EU’s commitment to
building knowledge-based economies, and maintaining their
positions as future hubs for new ideas and innovation. One of
the conference panelists was the President of the Foundation
for Polish Science, Dr. Maciej Zylicz, who presented his
innovative organization’s best practices, including its focus on
people over thematic priorities or institutions.
We also bring you news from our Consulate Generals in the
U.S., as well as a special Christmas section with Polish recipes
from our very own Embassy Chef.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas season with
happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year.
Best regards,
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Ambassador
1
Moldova Task Force Inaugural Meeting
2
Celebrating Croatia’s EU Accession Treaty
U.S. & EU Boost Transatlantic
Collaboration in Science + Innovation
Poland Hosts International Conference on
Arab Spring
3
The 2011 Ronald D. Asmus Freedom
Journalism Contest
A Conversation with the Artist of the
Solidarity Logo & the Logo of Poland’s
EU Presidency: Jerzy Janiszewski
Polish-American Congress
Christmas Celebration
DC-Area 5th Graders Build Crèches
4
Rep. Mike Quigley Testifies on the
Visa Waiver Program
6
The Schiff Family Terrace Dedication
5
6
Outside the Beltway: News from
our Consulates
7
Christmas Traditions + Recipes
8-9
To Visit + Did You Know
10
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
INAUGURAL
MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY OF
DEMOCRACIES
TASK FORCE FOR
MOLDOVA
The first meeting of the Community of Democracies Task Force for
Moldova took place at the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC on
December 7. The Task Force Co-Chairs are the countries of Poland and
the U.S.
“While the Community of Democracies is not a donor, it can serve as a
platform for synchronizing and coordinating efforts and activities of donors
and civil society organizations,” said Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Jerzy Pomianowski, who co-chaired the meeting with Dr. Tomicah
Tillemann, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies.
The Task Force meeting brought together representatives from twenty countries and several leading civil
society organizations. The discussion focused on ways of encouraging and supporting Moldova’s transition to
democracy.
Particular focus will be given by the Task Force to reforms in areas identified as priorities by the government
of Moldova in consultation with civil society representatives and donor organizations. These areas include
judicial reform, local government, government transparency, security sector reform, and migration policies.
The Moldova Task Force will work over the next two years to leverage the resources and expertise of its
partners in the Community of Democracies to facilitate progress in these sectors.
PHOTOS:
1. Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies
and Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Jerzy Pomianowski, Moldova Task Force meeting co-chairs;
2. + 3. The first meeting of the Moldova Task Force at the U.S. State Department.
The Embassies of Poland, Croatia and the EU
Delegation in the U.S. hosted a celebratory luncheon
on December 9 at the Embassy of Poland to celebrate
the signing of Croatia’s EU Accession Treaty in
Brussels, Belgium that day.
In his welcoming remarks to the assembled guests,
Poland’s Ambassador to the U.S. Robert Kupiecki
congratulated Croatia on its success.
“Poland believes that a credible enlargement process
helps to reform and change both the EU and its
neighborhood,” Ambassador Kupiecki said. “Closer
integration and further enlargement are the right
responses to the challenges Europe is facing today.”
CELEBRATING
THE SIGNING OF
CROATIA’S
EU ACCESSION
TREATY
Croatian Chargé d’Affaires Vice Skračić spoke of the
history of Croatia’s accession talks, and underlined the
importance of the successful internal reforms that
paved Croatia’s way to the Treaty signing. Deputy
Head of the EU Delegation to the U.S. Francois
Rivasseau recalled the leading role of the EU rotating
presidencies in the enlargement policy, and highlighted its importance for the
future of the European project.
Guests included members of the U.S. Congress and Administration, including
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio, a member of both the Croatia and Poland
Congressional Caucuses; the DC diplomatic and academic communities;
Ambassadors from EU and European countries; Deputy Heads of Mission and
senior diplomats; as well as representatives from the U.S. State and Homeland
Security Departments.
Croatia applied for European Union membership in 2003, and the European
Commission recommended making it an official candidate in early 2004.
Candidate country status was granted to Croatia by the European Council in mid2004. The entry negotiations and the screening process began in October 2005.
The ratification process will be conducted by the Parliaments of all 27 EU Member
States, and is expected to conclude by the end of June 2013. Croatia’s entry into
force and accession to the EU is expected to take place July 1, 2013.
WATCH:
1. A short film from Poland’s EU presidency
congratulating Croatia.
2. If you’ve never been to Croatia, we recommend
this film, which will take you on a 4-minute tour of
this beautiful country.
PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
1. The Polish, Croatian & EU flags next to a banner of
Poland’s EU presidency.
2. Rep. & Mrs. Dennis Kucinich; Ambassador Kupiecki;
Croatia’s Chargé d’Affaires Skračić;
3. Guests included Ambassadors & Deputy Chiefs of
Mission from EU & European embassies;
4. Ambassador Robert Kupiecki welcomes guests.
2
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
The Science and Technology Landscape in a Changing World – Enhancing US
Collaboration with the EU and its Member States conference was held in
Washington, DC on December 12 under the auspices of Poland’s presidency
of the Council of the EU. Transatlantic collaboration in science and
innovation was one of the priorities of Poland’s Ministry of Science and
Higher Education during the presidency.
“Let us act together,” said Prof. Maria Orlowska, Poland’s Ministry of
Science and Higher Education Secretary of State, in her remarks to the
audience of U.S. and EU scientists, researchers, policymakers and diplomats.
To organize the conference, the Embassy of Poland teamed up with the
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the
Embassies of Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain,
Sweden and UK as well as with the EU Delegation in the U.S.
U.S. & EU
BOOST
The U.S. and European Union are world leaders in science and innovation,
and both are committed to building knowledge-based economies. The hightech job sector is growing rapidly in emerging economies; maintaining the
U.S. and EU’s position as future hubs for new ideas and innovation cannot
be taken for granted. The conference purpose was to provide an opportunity
to review existing experiences and explore perspectives to enhance
transatlantic collaboration in science, technology and innovation, that will
help create new jobs and secure a competitive edge for both key players of the
world market of knowledge.
TRANSATLANTIC
COLLABORATION
IN SCIENCE &
INNOVATION
The conference gathered invited speakers and attendees from leading U.S.
and European governmental and non-governmental institutions fostering
transatlantic ST&I collaboration. The U.S. government was represented by
Robert D. Hormats, U.S. Under Secretary of State and Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State. The EU was represented by Ambassador
Joao Vale de Almeida, Head of the Delegation of the EU to the U.S.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Alan Leshner, AAAS Chief
Executive Officer, and Prof. Maria Orłowska on behalf of Poland’s
presidency of the Council of the EU.
The conference content highlighted the strength of U.S.- European collaboration, which is based on common values and common challenges.
However, the conference talks also reflected the lack of compatibility of ST&I funding systems. They also exposed several good practices and best
approaches, like those offered by the Foundation for Polish Science.
A common theme throughout the day was the importance of mobility. Circulating talent is an essential tool for creating an excellent base of
researchers, but there is a unbalanced mobility across the Atlantic, which is in part due to insufficient visibility and knowledge about opportunities for
researchers in Europe. Therefore, there is need for the better promotion of Europe as a destination for research and innovation. To meet this challenge,
the European Commission will organize a high-level conference in Boston. MA, in January 2012, which will also create an opportunity to promote
Polish science.
LEARN about the Polish Top 500 Innovators program on page 7.
PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 1. Prof. Orlowska offers opening remarks; 2. Prof. Orlowska & AAAS’s Dr. A. Leshner; 3. Dr. M. Zyrlicz of the Foundation
for Polish Science, Dr. Ted Trimble of Center for Global Health, George Herrfurth, NIH 4. Audience questions 5. Head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Almeida.
Poland’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs hosted an
international conference:
EU and Southern
Neighborhood: New
Prospects for Mutual
Cooperation in a Changing
Environment December 12 in Warsaw.
POLAND HOSTS
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
ON
ARAB SPRING
The conference focused on the challenges
faced by the nations of North Africa and the
Middle East within the broader context of the
Arab Spring, and centered around political,
social and economic transitions – as well as
prospects of drawing on European
experiences, including Poland’s, to support the
transformation processes in the region.
“We don’t know how [the Arab Spring] will
end,” said Polish Senator Lukasz Abgarowicz
on behalf of Poland’s Senate and Polish
Solidarity leader Bogdan Borusewicz. “One
thing, however, we can be sure about –
without deep democratic changes one cannot
talk about stability in these countries.”
Around 50 delegations from various countries
participated in the conference, including
representatives from North African and Middle
Eastern countries. Representatives from
international and regional organizations from
EU institutions, the League of Arab States, the
African Union, the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation, the Union for the Mediterranean,
the Anna Lindh Foundation, the UN, the
European Investment Bank and the World Bank
also attended.
In an address to conference delegates, Poland’s
Deputy Foreign Minister Jerzy Pomianowski
spoke of the significance of the changes
occurring in Europe’s southern neighborhood,
and emphasized Poland’s readiness to continue
support for the Arab states undergoing
challenging processes of transformation.
The conference was organized at the Copernicus
Science Centre in Warsaw, in cooperation with:
• the European Commission
• the Permanent Secretariat of the Community
of Democracies
• the association of Polish non-governmental
organizations ‘Zagranica Group’
• the Lech Wałęsa Institute
• the World Bank
• Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
• the Polish Committee for UNESCO & UNDP
3
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
THE 2011
RONALD D. ASMUS
FREEDOM
JOURNALISM
CONTEST
On December 20, the Embassy of
Poland and the German Marshall
Fund of the United States hosted an
award ceremony for the winners of
the 2011 Ronald D. Asmus Freedom
Journalism Contest.
The contest was created through a
partnership between the Embassy and the GMF in order to increase
U.S. undergraduate and graduate journalism students’ awareness of
international affairs, especially in democracy promotion and human
rights. The contest topic was democracy in Belarus, a nation where
freedom of the speech and of the press have been under attack
following the December 2010 presidential elections in Belarus: There
are press restrictions, independent media journalists and editors have
been arrested, beaten and detained on the orders of “Europe’s last
dictator,” Alexander Lukashenko.
“Belarus and its people deserve freedom and democracy – just as
other nations enjoy the benefits of life without fear and oppression. In
thinking about Belarus, we in Poland remember our own difficult
times in the 1980s, when democratic nations supported the
‘Solidarity’ movement and our striving for independence,” Poland’s
Ambassador to the U.S. Robert Kupiecki said.
Poland continues its mission of supporting independence today with
the conviction that the engagement of all democratic nations is
necessary to help countries like Belarus that are fighting for their
freedom. “But before we act, we must understand what is happening
and what we can do to help,” Ambassador Kupiecki said.
The judges’ panel comprised five distinguished journalists:
David Case, GlobalPost; Steve Clemons, The Atlantic; Mike
Mosettig, The Newshour with Jim Lehrer; June Thomas, Slate; and
Gregor Peter Schmitz, Der Spiegel; who judged the submissions on
the basis of creativity, relevance, and depth of reporting.
The contest is named in honor of Dr. Ronald D. Asmus, former
U.S. diplomat, outstanding expert and most recently GMF Brussels
Office Executive Director. Dr. Asmus dedicated his career to
democracy expansion in Central and Eastern Europe.
“Ron would be proud to be associated with these winners,
especially as they are tackling issues close to his heart so early in
their careers,” GMF President Craig Kennedy said.
PHOTO: Max Seddon; Nadzeya Batson; William Schreiber;
GMF President Craig Kennedy; Malgorzata Wojtunik;
Amb. Kupiecki; David Case; Mike Mosettig at GMF, December 20
MEET THE WINNERS OF THE 2011 RONALD D. ASMUS FREEDOM JOURNALISM CONTEST
VICTORIA COOK
Print Grand Prize Winner
MAXIMILIAN SEDDON
Print Graduate Runner-Up
Stand and Applaud: The Courage of Belarus’
Revolution via Social Networks
The Pushkin Paradox
“I was drawn to the journalism contest for two
reasons. First, as a digital communication major at graduate school I
have read about how democracy protestors in Belarus were among
the first to use social media in new and innovative ways to plan
protests back in 2006. Second, as the Arab Spring protests got
underway, it became apparent how these protestors were using
similar social media tactics to those used in Belarus and achieving
their revolutionary goals. I was interested to learn more about how
Belarus was faring in trying to achieve democracy, whether the Arab
Spring protests have had any effect, and whether their use of social
media has changed over the years.” – Victoria is a graduate student at
Johns Hopkins University.
MALGORZATA WOJTUNIK
Multimedia Grand Prize Winner
Freedom in Belarus – Flash Presentation
“I come from Poland and I think the Central and
Eastern part of Europe is not covered thoroughly
by the media in the United States. We hear about the regimes in
different countries and the violation of human rights in Asia or
Africa, but it is barely mentioned that freedom of speech or election
rights are still not respected by the Belarusian government. As a
journalist from Poland I would like to put some light on the
problems as well as the achievements of countries from the Eastern
European Region.” – Malgorzata is a Master’s graduate from the City
University of New York
“I met Alexander Pushkin, the subject of my
piece, while I was in Minsk in 2009. I've wanted to write something
substantial about him for years, and the contest seemed the perfect
occasion.” – Max is a graduate student at Columbia University’s School of
Journalism
WILLIAM SCHREIBER
Print Undergraduate Runner-Up
Lukashenko’s War on Press
“Belarus all too often falls off the radar – our voices
lose their urgency, particularly when change appears
distant. In reality, Lukashenko's rule has meant the
constant failure of our common democratic values, day after day, for
the past 15 years, for some 9.5 million Europeans. Few stories require
our attention more urgently.” – William graduated from George
Washington University this semester
NADZEYA BATSON
Multimedia Runner-Up
Struggling for Bits of Democracy – Audio Story
“Democracy in Belarus worries many Belarusians,
and I am one of them. I wanted to be one more
person to draw attention to the disastrous political situation in my
native country. I also tried to reveal the Belarusian mentality
characterized by adaptability and resilience at the same time.”
– Nadzeya is a graduate journalism student at American University
4
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
A CONVERSATION WITH
THE ARTIST OF THE
SOLIDARITY LOGO AND
THE LOGO OF POLAND’S
EU PRESIDENCY:
JERZY JANISZEWSKI
EU presidencies; not to duplicate
them but as a starting point. The
idea was to show a Poland that for
the first time in its history would
take on the leadership of the EU. I
thought about what imagery I could
use, what it would mean, what
materials I should use.
Jerzy Janiszewski created the iconic
Solidarity logo in 1980 when he was
28 years old. The image became a
powerful symbol of freedom from
Communist rule, first in Poland &
then in other Warsaw Pact
countries. Mr. Janiszewski is also
the creator of the logo of Poland’s
presidency of the EU; Poland’s
government chose him not just for
his talent, but also to correlate the
presidency’s symbol with the
powerful historical tradition of the
Solidarity movement.
Throughout his career, Mr.
Janiszewski has created hundreds of
logotypes, posters, & graphics for
publishing houses, advertising
agencies as well as cities & NGOS.
He’s worked with the BBC, Canal+,
TF1, TVP, the Embassy of France
in Warsaw, Pompidou Centre,
UNESCO & Amnesty International,
& is also the author of stage designs
& open air installations.
This December, the first U.S. exhibit
of Mr. Janiszewski’s works opened
in DC, in the Charles Krause
Reporting Fine Art Gallery in
cooperation with the Embassy of
Poland. The exhibit includes a rare
Solidarity poster from 1980 (top left
photo), buried underground for 7
years from the prying eyes of the
secret police, as well as collages &
other fine art.
We interviewed Mr. Janiszewski at
the Gallery on December 7.
Tell us about the process of creating the
logo for Poland’s EU presidency.
Searching for an idea wasn’t simple
because of the importance of the
subject matter: the logo was to
represent Poland in Europe. I began
by analyzing the logos of previous
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
suggested that the logo have some
kind of tie to the Solidarity logo –
that was to be one element of the
logo, to root it in history but also to
tie it to contemporary Poland.
So why arrows? I had many ideas. I
have a 100-page notebook filled with
sketches. At one point, I looked at a
project where I’d designed a holiday
card with “2011” on it. The 11 was
arrows, reaching up – symbolizing
positive energy. I thought, this is a
good idea. So then: one arrow? An
arrow to symbolize a house;
Poland? But then I thought that
there should be as many arrows as
there are colors in the flags of the
EU nations – 6. The next step was
how to make them, & I thought it
best to draw them manually, for that
energy, strength, which is what I
believe Poland is today. When I
travel there I see that dynamism in
its people. The arrows are linked,
like people who are supporting each
other, lifting each other up: the idea
of unity, solidarity. The first red
arrow with the flag represents
Poland.
You’re known throughout the world for
your Solidarity logo. What are your
memories from those times?
Those times remain in my heart to
this day – so much time has passed,
but they’re always with me. The
logo is connected with the warmth
of that period, with what I
witnessed. I was at the shipyard
when the strikes began in August.
Then I received a pass from a friend
& was able to be in the shipyard,
where I observed how the
movement grew, how people helped
one another, how people from the
outside helped those inside –
bringing food, money. I also wanted
to do something, to help, & thought
that it could be through art. I didn’t
know what, exactly – I had ideas to
create an image, a poster. I saw
signs on the shipyard walls where
the word “solidarity” was repeated.
But there was no one image that
came to my mind.
I began working on that word –
“solidarity.” One of the poets
suggested this idea to me. The
mottos are all so long, he said. Try
just that one word.
That evening I thought about how
that word emoted everything that
was happening. Once I drew the
logo I took it to the shipyard &
within 3 days it was everywhere –
on materials printed by the
movement, foreign correspondents
were also using it. I had such
satisfaction because of that – I had
no idea it would ever be seen
outside the shipyard walls. At that
time, we didn’t know how the strike
would end. Inside the shipyard, the
atmosphere was almost that of a
carnival because of this idea of
freedom, which everyone wanted
strongly – we didn’t know then that
what we were doing was known
outside of Poland.
How did you create the logo?
Once I had the idea [of using the
word “solidarity”] it was evident to
me that I should create it with a
brush & paint – red paint, to tie in
with Poland’s history, & the spilled
blood of other protests. The third
time I drew it, with my brush &
paint, on a small sheet of paper... it
came out, & the proportions
worked.
And you knew that was the one?
Yes, & that’s the one that I took to
the shipyard.
What happened next?
When I brought it to the shipyard, I
asked if I could reproduce it &
distribute it. I gave it to Krzysztof
Wyszkowski, who at that time
worked on the strike newsletter. He
showed it to Bogdan Borusewicz.
They liked it, but said they had no
way of printing it. So I decided to do
it myself. No one asked me to do it –
it was my own idea, to do this, to
show solidarity with the strike, with
the people.
Because of the censorship in Poland,
it was difficult to print anything. But
my friends & I put together a
primitive printing machine & started
printing the logo, one set at a time.
We had difficulty getting paper, but
found some through friends. We
printed two formats: one small, an
A5, & the other larger, A3.
The first day we made 50 copies.
We had technical problems, the
paint dried wrong, things got
jammed. The next day, we made
100, then 150. We printed them
through the end of the strike. I
would take them to the shipyard &
give them to the leadership. The
very first day they plastered them all
over the walls of their conference
room.
Did you sign them?
No. Sometimes people would ask
me to, & I would. The first one that
I took to the shipyard, I asked for
Lech Walesa’s signature, Anna
Walentynowicz, other leaders from
the strike committee. I have that one
to this day; I kept it for myself, a
cherished memory.
After the strike ended, the
movement kept going – I learned
later that it had taken on the name
“Solidarity” & was using my logo as
its official logo. They found me,
invited me to their new
headquarters, & I worked with them
daily on the visual elements &
materials of the logo, because it was
being reproduced everywhere.
Did you have any idea the logo would
because as famous as it did?
Absolutely not. I didn’t think it
would ever be seen outside the walls
of the shipyard.
– Justine Jablonska,
the Embassy’s Press Advisor,
spoke with Mr. Janiszewski
5
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
POLISH
AMERICAN
CONGRESS
CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATION
The Polish American Congress gathered at the
Embassy of Poland on December 15 to
celebrate the upcoming Christmas season;
guests included PAC’s executive committee
and members, as well as DC-area students.
In the spirit of the holidays, Ambassador
Robert Kupiecki extended his greetings to
those gathered, who were also treated to a sumptuous holiday feast.
PHOTO:
Polish American Congress President Frank Spula & Ambassador Robert
Kupiecki with members of the Polish American Congress’ Executive
Committee: Tim Kuzma, Secretary; Debbie Majka – V.P. for Cultural
Activities; Bozena Kaminski – V.P. of Polish Agenda; Anthony Bajdek –
V.P. of American Agenda; Dr. Susanne Lotarski – V.P. of Public Relations;
Rick Mazella – V.P. for Membership Development
REP. MIKE
QUIGLEY
TESTIFIES
ON THE
VISA
WAIVER
PROGRAM
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois testified before the
House Subcommittee on Immigration and Enforcement on
December 7 in favor of expanding the Visa Waiver Program to
include Poland and other U.S. allies.
“This is an issue of fairness and equity for a longstanding friend and
partner, Poland,” Rep. Quigley said. “Expansion of the Visa Waiver
Program will improve our international diplomatic relationships,
create jobs, stimulate the economy and strengthen national security.
It’s time to expand outdated travel standards to include our proven
allies.”
Our Embassy has been part of the Embassy
DC-AREA
Adoption Program, a collaboration between
5TH
the Washington Performing Arts Society, DC
GRADERS
Public Schools, and Embassies in DC since
2008. Each embassy takes a DC school under
BUILD
its wing for the school year, and through
POLISH
activities like workshops and presentations,
CRÈCHES
introduces its country to the students. Our
Embassy adopted a 5th grade from H.D.
Cooke Elementary School this year; our Ambassador's wife,
Malgorzata Kupiecka, is the program's patron. On December 16, we
visited the school, where students learned about Poland, its culture,
traditions and history. They also participated in an art workshop
organized by the Embassy in cooperation with Mr. David Motak, a
Pittsburgh artist and graphic designer who promotes Polish and
Polish-American arts and culture, during which they built traditional
Krakow Christmas crèches.
THE
SCHIFF
FAMILY
TERRACE
DEDICATION
The Schiff Family Terrace was dedicated December 11 at Agudas
Achim Congregation in Alexandria, Va. with the participation of
Embassy of Poland representative Mr. Witold Dzielski.
“Having the honor to participate in such events of great importance
to the members of this congregation and their families reminds me of
the natural links between Polish and Jewish communities, links that
are so deeply rooted in the 1000 years of our common history,” Mr.
Dzielski said. “These links can thrive yet again because of the revival
of Jewish life in modern Poland.”
Rep. Quigley is a member of the Congressional Poland Caucus. The
Embassy applauds Rep. Mike Quigley’s leadership in promoting
Poland’s entrance into the Visa Waiver Program. The hearing
highlighted his continued leadership & commitment to continuing to
move the legislation in a positive direction.
Other speakers included Charlene Schiff, the Terrace founder; Rabbi
Jack Moline; President of Agudas Achim Congregation Jeff
Eisenberg; an Embassy of Israel representative; as well as Eagle
Scout Ben Richer, who built the Terrace as part of his Eagle Scout
project. The Terrace stands six feet tall and is eight wide; it includes
cobblestones from the Warsaw Ghetto that were donated to the
synagogue by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
H.R.959 / S. 497: Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership
Program Act of 2011 gained the support of President Barack Obama
during his May 2011 trip to Poland.
PHOTOS courtesy of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in
PHOTO: Rep. Mike Quigley testifies before Congress on the Visa Waiver
Washington, DC:
1. Charlene Schiff, Terrace founder & Eagle Scout Ben Richer, terrace
builder; 2. Embassy representative Mr. Dzielski speaks to the gathered guests.
Program, December 7, 2011
6
Outside the Beltway – News from our Consulates
The Department of Slavic
Languages and Literature at the
University of WisconsinMadison was awarded the 2011
Polonicum Award by the
University of Warsaw for
outstanding achievements in
propagating the Polish language,
culture and history abroad. Dr.
Ewa Miernowska, Senior
Lecturer of Slavic Languages
and Literature, accepted the
award at the Tyszkiewicz-Potocki Palace in Warsaw on behalf of
the Department, which is the oldest Polish program in the U.S.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF
SLAVIC LANGUAGES &
LITERATURE AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN-MADISON,
RECIPIENT OF THE 2011
POLONICUM AWARD
The Department was established in 1936 as the Department of
Polish by an act of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Its name was
updated in 1942 to reflect its focus on a broad range of Slavic
languages, literature, and culture – including a Polish Program,
thoroughly revised in Fall 2001 to make a B.A. major in Polish
available. The Department holds one of the largest and most
comprehensive collections of Polish books in North America,
including an impressive Rare Book collection with Polish imprints
from the 15th–17th centuries.
Dr. Ewa Miernowska founded the University’s Polish Students
Association, which organizes an Annual Polish Film Festival in
cooperation with the Polish Film Festival in Chicago, as well as a
bimonthly Polish Table – an informal meeting for students who
wish to converse in Polish outside the classroom.
CONTACT
the University of Wisconsin-Madison Polish Students Association
LADIES CLUB OF
THE CHICAGO
CONSULAR
CORPS HOLIDAY
LUNCHEON
Mrs. Bozena Matynia, wife of Chicago
Consul General Zygmunt Matynia,
hosted a holiday luncheon for members of
the Chicago Consular Corps Ladies Club
on December 6. Mrs. Matynia is the
Ladies Club vice-president, and its leading
charity activist. Mrs. Matynia is vice president of the club and the
leading charity activist. This year the Club collected and bought gifts
for two organizations: the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and
the Teen Living Programs (a program for homeless teenagers),
whose representatives were also present. Attendees included
representatives from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Germany,
Czech Republic, Nepal, Barbados, Thailand, China, South Korea,
Finland, and Norway as well as the director of the regional Office of
Foreign Missions, Denise D. Duclon and the Consular Corps liaison
at the office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Averill Leviton.
December 2011
The first graduates of the
program “Polish Top 500
Innovators” were honored
December 13 in a ceremony
officiated by Prof. Maria
Orlowska, Secretary of State of
Poland’s Ministry of Science and
Higher Education.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
THE “POLISH
TOP 500 INNOVATORS”
FIRST GRADUATES OF
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
The program began in mid-October at Stanford University, and is for
young Polish scholars and businesspeople working within the field of
innovation.
The eight-week project comprising meetings and workshops was coorganized by Stanford University with leading business groups from
Silicon Valley, including Google, Cisco and TechStars.
The program is financed by Poland’s Ministry of Science and Higher
Education in an ongoing effort to develop and strengthen U.S.Polish academic-business-market relations.
The program is organized in cooperation with Stanford University
and with the vital support of the U.S. Poland Trade Council, which
writes: “Poland has all the tools, the economy, and the intellectual
strength to become a leading world economy but innovation
leadership is lacking. Part of the solution is to educate Poland’s
intellectual elite to be not only deep discipline experts but also broad
solution thinkers.”
The second edition of the program is planned to begin in April.
LEARN MORE
about the program on the U.S. Poland Trade Council’s website
PHENOMENON
The traveling exhibit, “Phenomenon of
OF SOLIDARITY
Solidarity,” opened in Minnesota’s
State Capitol on December 4, where it
EXHIBIT OPENS
will remain on display through the end
IN ST. PAUL,
of 2011. The guests of honor were
MINNESOTA
Minnesota State Representative Keith
Downey and two Solidarity activists who live in Minnesota,
Tomasz Kalinowski and Mieczyslaw Mazurek – they shared
memories and offered remarks on the exhibit’s significance.
The event was organized by Minnesotan Polish-American
leaders Mrs. and Mr. Stankiewicz and Mrs. Ewa Banasikowski.
Minnesota’s State Capitol is visited daily by hundreds of people
and is one of the most prominent buildings in the state.
PHOTOS: 1. Tomasz Kalinowski, Solidarity activist; 2. A. Krystek,
Consulate General representative & State Rep. Keith Downey
7
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
THE TREE +
DECORATIONS
(CHOINKA I
DEKORACJE)
According to
Polish tradition,
an evergreen tree
is put up &
decorated on
Christmas Eve.
Handmade
ornaments are
region-specific;
some – like the
stars pictured
here – are made
of paper while
others are made
of straw. The
custom of
decorating
Christmas trees
goes back to the
15th c. Livonia
(today Estonia &
Latvia) & 16th c. Germany, where
spruce trees were decorated in the
market square & folks would sing &
dance around them.
Here’s a nice tutorial on how to make
the stars for your very own tree.
POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
As Christmas approaches, we’ve put together vignettes
of some of our most cherished Christmas traditions.
Specific customs vary in Poland region to region;
but all are centered around family, friends,
and togetherness.
In Poland, Christmas Eve is the most important day of
the season; here’s a rundown of how a typical Polish
Christmas Eve (Wigilia) might look.
THE FIRST STAR (PIERWSZA GWIAZDKA)
Legend tells of Three Wise Men who journeyed across the
deserts to find the newly born Baby Jesus, guided by a star
that shone above his manger. As Christmas Eve evening
sets, the appearance of the first star in the sky recalls that
star, and signalizes that it’s time for the traditional Wigilia
feast to begin.
THE CHRISTMAS WAFER
(OPŁATEK)
Each Wigilia begins with the sharing
of the Christmas wafer; each person
takes a wafer & shares bits of it with
others, while sharing wishes & hopes
for the future. The Christmas wafer is a symbol of
friendship, love, recognition & forgiveness; the custom is
also seen in European countries such as Slovakia,
Lithuania, Ukraine, the Czech Republic & Italy.
THE CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL (WIECZERZA WIGILIJNA)
The meal is served on a table laid with a white tablecloth; hay can be placed under the tablecloth to
symbolize the manger where Jesus was born. There is always one extra setting at the table; it’s for any
unexpected guests who may arrive, & also symbolizes loved ones who are far from us, or have passed
away. Dishes depend on the region & family traditions, but all are meatless & should number 12. The
most typical Wigilia dishes include:
• Herring appetizers, either sweet or savory;
• beet soup with mushroom-filled dumplings;
• mushroom soup;
• cabbage with yellow peas and/or mushrooms;
• pierogi with cabbage, mushrooms, or other veggie
fillings;
• main course fish dishes – in Poland, these are
mostly made from carp;
• kutia, which is noodles with poppyseeds & honey;
• Cakes: poppyseed, cheesecake, fruit cakes;
• Fruit compote.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS (KOLĘDY)
Polish Christmas Carols are beautiful; some are fast and energetic; others – melodious and quiet. They’re
typically sung by the Christmas tree after the Christmas Eve meal; some of the oldest carols still sung
today date back to the 15th century.
Famous Polish composer and pianist Frederyk Chopin included fragments of the carol “Lulajże Jezuniu”
in his Scherzo #1 in B Minor, Op 20; it’s one of the breathtakingly beautiful pieces of music ever
composed, and Polish maestro Artur Rubinstein plays it wonderfully here.
iTunes users: check out the International / World station, which, under Christmas Melody (The most
beautiful Christmas songs of the world), features many Polish carols – some in wonderful jazzy versions.
PRESENTS + SANTA CLAUS (ŚW. MIKOŁAJ)
Presents are given on Christmas Eve; sometimes, Santa Claus – in Polish, Święty
Mikołaj, will visit homes with children to check if they’ve been good; he may ask
the children to sing a song or say a poem before he hands out their gifts.
CHRISTMAS
MEMORIES
AROUND
THE
EMBASSY
We asked
around the
Embassy about
favorite holiday
traditions, and
here are some
of the
responses:
• We have a
family
tradition of
going to a
local tree
farm,
where we
choose our
own tree
and cut it down ourselves. There’s a
small store on the farm, where we
buy warm cider to drink on the spot.
• My favorite time is early on
Christmas Eve when we prepare our
traditional meal in my parents’
kitchen. Everyone helps out; Polish
carols play in the background; and
all the delicious, unique smells
mingle together. We’re together;
we’re warm and cozy; and we have a
wonderful evening together to look
forward to.
• Christmas is a time of peace, of a
slower, quieter pace. People are kind
to each other; everyone wishes each
other well. I also like the fact that we
eat unique dishes that we normally
don’t eat throughout the year.
• I like decorating the tree, especially
with older decorations from my
childhood; I remember how I used
to hang them on the tree as a little
girl. Back then I was also always
aware of the older decorations and
made sure they got as much
attention as the new ones.
• When I was small, we’d spend
Christmas Eve with our
grandparents. After the Christmas
Eve meal, our grandfather would
take us to his horse, because there’s
an old legend that animals can speak
to humans on this day. We’d feed
the horse treats and he would neigh;
my grandfather always said he
understood what the horse was
saying. Then, we’d go back into the
house, gather around the tree and
play instruments and sing carols.
8
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
MULLED WINE
(GRZANE WINO)
Our Chef served
piping hot mulled
wine in our
Embassy china at a recent luncheon; it
was a huge hit & we recommend it
especially for cold days.
You’ll need:
• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1 bottle of white wine (Chef says that
quality doesn’t really matter here)
• 2 lbs. of honey
• 1 teaspoon of cloves
• A pinch of cinnamon
How you make it:
1. Pour the honey into a saucepan &
heat it on a small flame until it’s the
color of weak tea.
2. Add the cloves & cinnamon.
3. Add the wine & continue simmering
on a super low flame (don’t boil!)
until it’s nice & hot.
4. Pour into your good china & enjoy!
HERRING IN
SOUR
CREAM
(ŚLEDŹ W
ŚMIETANIE)
This appetizer is a bit salty & a bit
sweet. Serve it with fresh rye bread &
butter to start off your meal.
You’ll need:
• Herring – Chef says that you can buy
the herring in jars in grocery stores
like Giant & Safeway; make sure it’s
in vinegar. (You can also use herring
filets if available.)
• 2 apples – Chef says they should be
tart
• 1 onion, or more, or less, depending
on how oniony you’d like your dish
to be
• Sour cream (quantity will depend on
how much herring you want to make)
• Pinches of salt, pepper, sugar
How you make it:
1. Cut the onion either into thin stripes
or cubes, per your preference. Boil
water & blanch the onion for about a
minute.
2. Once the onion is cool, mix it with
sour cream.
3. Peel & dice the apples; put those into
the onion-sour cream mixture.
4. Season the sour cream mixture with
salt, pepper, sugar to taste.
5. Strain the herring. If you have filets,
cut them into bite-sized morsels.
6. Lay out the herring on a plate &
cover them with the sour cream
mixture. Decorate the top with some
sprigs of parsley if you like.
Photo: kobieta.interia.pl
We sat down with our Embassy Chef, Adam Holewa,
in his kitchen as he prepared yet another sumptuous
spread for one of our evening receptions. While he
chopped & garnished, he also gave us recipes (off the
top of his head!) for some traditional – & some not-sotraditional – Polish dishes. Try them out: Smacznego!
CHANTERELLE SOUP
(ZUPA ZE ŚWIEŻYCH KUREK)
Chanterelles are bright yellow
mushroom. This soup can be
made veggie or with meat.
You’ll need:
• Fresh chanterelles (1/4 – 1/2 lbs.)
• Carrots (however many you’d like)
• 1 Parsley root (a white vegetable resembling a parsnip)
• 1 Celery root (this is also white – not the green celery)
• 1 onion (or more, to taste)
• Potatoes (to taste)
• 1 hind of beef (if meat-based)
• Bay leaf
• Allspice
• 1 onion
How you make it:
1. First make your stock. You can also use / make
chicken or vegetable stock. For meat, Chef
recommends a hind of beef. Wash & place it in a big
pot filled with cold water. Add lightly sautéed onion, a
bay leaf or two, & a pinch of allspice. Simmer on small
flame for 4 hours.
2. Cut the carrots, parsley root, celery root, potatoes into
small cubes.
3. Wash the chanterelles carefully & cut these into tiny
pieces. Sautée them with butter.
4. Put all the veggies into your stock & simmer lightly
until all the flavors mesh together. Season with salt, a
pinch of sugar, to taste. Garnish with a bit of dill.
Chanterelle photo: Игорь Лебединский
Soup photo: Polish Mama on the Prairie
WARM PEARS IN A SWEET WINE SAUCE
You’ll need:
• Anjou pears (green)
• 1 liter of white wine
• 1 liter of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• A pinch of cloves
• Egg yolks
• Sugar
• Gewürztraminer wine
How you make it:
1. Peel the pears & take out the seeds.
2. Put the wine, water, sugar & cloves into a pan, & boil
until you can easily insert a toothpick into the pears.
3. Now the sauce: Beat the egg yolks with sugar.
Depending on how much of the sauce you want to
make, the ratio is 1 yolk to 2 teaspoons of sugar. The
end result should be a fluffy, pale yellow mass.
4. Add your Gewürztraminer. If you want the sauce to be
more boozy, add more wine. Beat this all together.
5. Boil a pan of water. Put your sauce into another pan
that fits over the first (like a double broiler). Continue
beating the sauce over the steam from the water.
6. Cool the sauce a bit, then pour over the pears.
Photo of pears by Joe Mabel
PIEROGI WITH
SALMON
(PIEROGI Z
ŁOSOSIEM)
Ever made
pierogi? They’re
challenging but
super yummy.
You’ll need:
For the Dough
• 4 cups of flour
• 5-6 eggs (Chef says you can use less,
but this’ll make a nice rich dough)
• water
For the Stuffing
• A salmon filet
• Butter
• Dill, salt, white pepper
For the Sauce
• White wine
• Shallots
• Sour Cream
• Egg yolk
• Flour
How you make the dough:
1. Mix the flour & eggs, & knead it
together. Add water until the dough
has a firm consistency that’s pliant.
2. Use a cup, or a pierogi cutter, or
really anything at all to cut out
dough circles.
The Stuffing:
1. Boil the salmon in a cup or so of
water. (Keep the water it’s boiled in!)
2. Once the salmon is cooled down,
use a fork & shred it into small
pieces. Season with salt & a pinch of
white pepper.
3. Cut dill into tiny pieces & mix it all
together.
Stuff the Pierogi:
1. Take bits of stuffing & place into the
dough circles. Pinch the pierogi shut
(you can do this by hand; to seal
them it helps to put a few drops of
water on your fingers). There are
also nifty contraptions like this one –
– where you place your dough circle
& the stuffing, then pinch it shut.
2. Add the pierogi to a pot of boiling
water. When they rise to the surface
& float, they’re done. While they’re
boiling, make your sauce.
The Sauce:
1. Take the water you boiled the
salmon in, & add some white wine,
some chopped shallots, a bit of sour
cream, an egg yolk, & a pinch of
flour to bind it all together.
2. Taste & see if you need more of a
certain ingredient.
3. Pour the sauce over hot pierogi, &
garnish with dill.
9
December 2011
Embassy of Poland Newsletter
Poland in the wintertime means skiing, snowboarding, ice sailing, and
perhaps a warming beverage or two. The Tatra Mountains (photo) are
Poland’s Alps, stretching about 50 miles into Slovakia with peaks that
reach 8,200 feet. The town of Zakopane, which hugs the foot of the
Tatra mountains, offers more than 40 ski lifts, and its Mount Kasprowy
Wierch is especially popular with locals and tourists alike.
Szczyrk, which is located in the Beskidy Mountains – about an hour
from Krakow’s airport – compete with Zakopane as Poland’s best-loved
ski resort, with 50 lifts and 60 miles of ski trails.
Another excellent ski resort is Karpacz, which is nestled on the slopes of
Mount Sniezka – the highest peak of the Sudetens Mountains.
And if ice sailing is your thing, the Mazurian Lake District offers 30
lakes in Poland’s northeast, where you can also cross-country ski.
TO VISIT: POLAND IN THE WINTER
DID YOU KNOW:
THE BROWN BEAR
Poland’s Official Travel Website offers a plethora of information about
winter sports and activities in Poland. For a stunning 360 degree,
panoramic view of the Bialka Tatrzanska, a village in the Tatra
Mountains, visit this link.
The largest predator in Poland is the
brown bear (Ursus arctos), niedźwiedź
brunatny in Polish.
Brown bears were once widespread throughout Poland’s mountains &
lowlands – as evidenced by the many legends, town names & town coatsof-arms that feature bears. In the 19th c., they were all but eliminated
except for small populations in the Tatra Mountains. Today, the species
is protected & has begun to appear again in Poland’s south. They’re still
very rare; the WWF in Poland estimates the population at around 100.
Solitary animals, they prefer to live far from human settlements.
Brown bears have brown fur, but the hue varies from almost black to a
very bright almost-red. Lady bears are smaller than gentlemen bears;
adult females can weigh from 200-450 pounds while adult males can
weigh from 300-900 pounds. Weight fluctuates & is at its highest right
before winter, when bears hibernate in burrows in the ground or caves &
live off their stored fat.
Because of their large overall size, bears also have very broad hands &
feet. Their gait is characteristic because they place their legs (both
front & back) on one side down at once, then shift to the other side.
Their paws have no fur, but thick skin serves as a thermal insulator &
shock absorber. Claws are 3-7 cm in length, & serve to attack &
defend, but also to tear tree trunks in search of food & forage.
Their heads are large with short ears, a large square muzzle, & small
eyes. You can tell a bear’s age by its teeth, which have rings like trees
for each year of their life.
We came across this fun story during our research: Before World
War I, two little brown bears from the Wroclaw Zoo were slated to
appear in a nature documentary. Named Yogi & Bugi, the fewmonth old cubs were brought to the film set in the Tatra Mountains –
& promptly escaped, evidently preferring a life of freedom to posing
for cameras! We like to think that their descendants are roaming
around the mountains today.
Learn more about brown bears, watch videos & download
screensavers on WWF Poland’s website (photos courtesy of WWF).
MORE EMBASSY NEWS + INFORMATION
FACEBOOK:
Embassy of Poland, DC
TWITTER:
@PolishEmbassyUS
YOUTUBE:
PolishEmbassyDC
EMBASSY OF THE
REPUBLIC OF POLAND
2640 16th St NW
Washington DC
washington.polemb.net
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Justine Jablonska:
newsletter editor-in-chief
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