The 43 rd International Polonaise Ball

The 43 rd International Polonaise Ball
In the Rhythm of Samba
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Jan Karaszewski, Mrs. Dorota Schnepf, Amb. Ryszard Schnepf
The International Polonaise Ball, established by
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel in 1972 and one of the
most prestigious and elegant events of Miami's
social season since 1972, is organized under the
auspices of the Ambassador of Poland to the US,
Ryszard Schnepf.
The 43rd International Polonaise Ball on February
7, 2015 was held at the glamorous Eden Roc Hotel on palm-lined Collins Avenue in Miami, FL. The
Ball entwines elegance and style with world-class
entertainment and cultural diversity. Each year
the Ball celebrates Poland and a different country, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic ties
and friendships of both nations. Over 300 guests
from all corners of the globe celebrated Poland
Fascinated with Brazil at the black tie event. And
celebrate they did - from posing with a feathered
and jeweled Carnaval passista to exuberant dancing with the hypnotic samba drum beats - it was
loads of fun and an unforgettable evening.
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Dr. Jan Kulczyk
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Dr. Alma Kadragic, Amb. Ryszard Schnepf
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Andrzej Bukowinski
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. David Ensor, Amb. Ryszard Schnepf
Consul John Petkus, Consul Sabina Klimek with guests
Amb. Ryszard Schnepf, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel,
Mr. Krzysztof Przybyl
Mr. Richard Hurwitz, Mrs. Klaudia Juniewicz,
Mr. Karim Peter Guen
Mr. Albert Slugocki, Mrs. Adriana Sabino, Lady Blanka
Rosenstiel, Mrs. Monika Jablonska-Chodakiewicz,
Mr. Manuel Rosa
Ms. Magda Gessler, Dr. Marek Pien Pienkowski, Ms. Loretta Swit, Mr. Keith Gray, Mrs. Agnieszka Gray, Mr. Krzysztof Porowski, Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper,
Mrs. Liliana Komorowska, Mr. Jarek Rottermund, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Italo Torrese, Ms. Francesca Lowenthal , Mrs. Teresa Lowenthal
Dr. Pat Riley, Dr. Andrew Schally, Mrs. Maria Schally,
Ms. Donna Francavilla, Dr. Marek Pienkowski, Honorary Consul
Mrs. Elzbieta Wnuk, Prof. Stanislaw Wnuk
Mr. Dominic Cieslak, Ms. Veronika Cieslak
Brazilian samba dancer who spends
most of her early life perfecting the
exuberant dance at a recognized
samba school. With elaborate costumes, enormous headdresses,
glittering footwear and choreographed moves, passistas create
the dynamic energy of Carnaval
- encouraging the crowds to join
them in dancing along the streets
of Rio.
Besides the Ambassador and his
wife, many other distinguished personalities came from all over the
world including Dr. Jan Kulczyk, a
businessman who is, according to
Forbes, the richest man in Poland.
There were also guests from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, England,
Germany, Italy, Scotland, Sweden
and the US. Among them were local corporate leaders, artists, diplomats, and scientists, such as Dr. Andrew Schally, a Nobel Prize winner
in the field of medicine. And each
year more and more young people
are attending, adding an exciting
exuberance to the event.
A stunning passista in a white and
gold bejeweled gown with an ornate feathered headdress stood
regally on the stage, and guests
lined up to be photographed with
her. A passista is a formally trained
Ms. Lynne Schaefer, Mrs. Beata Paszyc, Mrs. Barbara Muze, Mrs. Jadwiga Gewert,
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak
After the traditional opening Polonaise, the award ceremony commenced with presentations of the
Gold Medal for Andrzej Bukowinski,
renowned Brazilian filmmaker and
“King of commercials";" the Lech
Walesa Media Award for David Ensor, journalist; and the “Amicus Poloniae” for Alma Kadragic, producer
and journalist. Four individuals Monika Jablonska, Adriana Sabino,
Manuel Rosa and Albert Slugocki -
Brazilian passista
Ms. Loretta Swit, Dr. Michel S. Pawlowski
Ms. Claudine Smurfit, Dr. Marco Contreras
of carnival and samba while colorful feathers swayed on the dancers’ dynamically moving bodies. The energy was so vibrant
that it moved everybody to the
dance floor.
also received a Special Recognition
Award from Lady Blanka for their
entrepreneurial contributions to
the Polish-American and Brazilian
communities. Lady Blanka was also
given with the "Outstanding Pole"
award by Krzysztof Przybyl, President of the Foundation Teraz Polska,
for promoting Polish achievements
throughout the world. Mr. Przybyl
came directly from Poland in order
to present this prestigious award to
Lady Blanka.
During the artistic program, the
Brazilian dancers and rousing
drummers transformed the beautifully decorated ballroom into the
streets of Rio, with the rhythms
Mrs. Sandra Zachariasiewicz, Mr. Walter Zachariasiewicz,
Fr. Anthony Czarnecki with passista
The guests enjoyed a delicious
dinner with Brazilian flavors, and
danced and networked long after
midnight. The following day, the
Polish Folk Dance Company showcased the traditional mazurkas and
krakowiak during the Special Bunch.
Guests continued meeting new
people, celebrating Polish and Brazilian cultures, and making plans to
be in Miami next year for another
fabulous gala Ball.
Mrs. Beata Paszyc, Mr. John Frank Velez, Mrs. Anna Slabicki,
Mr. Zbigniew Slabicki
Dr. Dapnarina Maharaj, Dr. Jacquelina Gouvea, Mr. Krzysztof Łoński
Italian and American guests, including Dr. Ewa Piencentile, Mrs. Jadwiga Palade,
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Skibicki, Ms. Dominika Grzebyk Nicoli, Mr. Mario Castellan,
Mr. Lucio Pntecorvi, Ms. Caterina Covolo
Seated (l-r): Ms. Lucia Schneegans-Puentes,
Ms. Luccia Lowenthal, Ms. Annie Centurion,
Ms. Francesca Lowenthal, Ms. Yesenia Hernandez and guests
Mrs. Roza Toroj, Mr. Jacek Trus, Mr. Grzegorz Okon,
Ms. Irena Zytkiewicz
Mr. Zygmunt Stazewski, Mr. Matthew King
Mr. Alexander Smaga, Ms. Ania Navas
Ms. Marta Lefik, Mr. Nick Sadowsky,
Ms. Dorota Kotowska
Polish American Folk Dance Company
Seated (l-r): Ms. Sylvia Skarbinska, Dr. Irena Siemiginowska, Mr. Jerzy Siemiginowska,
Ms. Veronika Cieslak, Ms. Magdalana Gudat
Standing: Mrs. Karolina Nowicki-Martinez, Mr. Amaury Martinez, Mrs. Eva Korzeb, Mr. Kazimierz
Korzeb, Mrs. Frances Burzynski, Mr. Janusz Burzynski, Mr. Dominic Cieslak,
Baron Andrew von Gelt
Mr. Patrick Misiewicz, Ms. Kinga Plich
Latin America Invest Corp. guests, including Ms. Irma Sanchez, Mr. Italo Torrese, Mr. Leszek
Ladowski, Mrs. Maria Ladowski
Seated (l-r): Ms. Jolanta Knight, Mrs. Elzbiata Wnuk, Prof. Stanislaw Wnuk, Mr. Joseph Wolsztyniak
Standing (l-r): Mrs. Jennifer Khan-Nowak, Mr. Karim Peter Guen, Hon. Undine George, Hon. Edward
George, Dr. Jerzy Kyparisis, Mrs. Danuta Kyparisis, Dr. Michel S. Pawlowski
Mr. Jorge Villacampa, Mrs. Maggie Villacampa, Pres. Mark Rosenberg, Marquisa Maria Alonso,
Marquise Alexander Montague
Seated (l-r): Mr. Greg Burzynski, Mrs. Monika JablonskaChodakiewicz, Mr. Krzysztof Lewicki, Ms. Elzbieta Green
Standing (l-r):Mr. Krzysztof Pierscionek, Mrs. Adriana Pierscionek,
Mrs. Anna Burzynski, Mr. Wojciech Bukalski,
Mr. Mateusz Kosmowski, Mr. Witold Kosmowski
Ms. Nancy Savoie, Mr. Paul Landrum, Mrs. Karen Landrum
Mrs. Grazyuna Orawiec, Dr. Bronislaw Orawiec
Seated (l-r): Mr. Marcin Roszczyk, Dr Kornelia Król. Mr. Krzysztof Porowski,
Countess Barbara Pagowska–Cooper, Judge Andrzej Huras
Standing (l-r): Honorable Jerzy Stępień, Mr. Maciej Cybulski , Ms. Beata Korsakowska–Pryl,
Ms. Anna Borzęcka, Honorable Tadeusz Jedynak, Mr. Konrad Borzęcki,
Mr. Krzysztof Kasperkiewicz
Mr. Pedro Botto, Dr. Rebecca Friedman, Dr. Shlomi Dinar
Seated (l-r): Mr. Richard Hurwitz, Mrs. Klaudia Juniewicz, Ms. Liliana Komorowska, Mr. Bernard Poulin
Standing (l-r): Mr. John Frank Velez, Mrs. Beata Paszyc, Mrs. Anna Pietraszek, Mr. Stefan Pietraszek,
Ms. Lynne Schaefer, Mr. Jaroslaw Rottermund
Dr. Mark Tucci, Mrs. Krystyna Tucci, Ms. Anna Zwierzycki,
Mrs. Patrycia Zwierzycki, Dr. Jerome Zwierzycki
Baron Andrew von Gelt, Dr. Ewa Buch, Mr. Roman Buch
Seated (l-r): Ms. Maria Inês Dal Borgo, Mrs. Adriana Riquet Sabino, Mr. Marcelo Sabino,
Ms. Dircineia Marchi
Standing (l-r): Ms. Ivonete Leite, Ms. Gloria Johnson, Mrs. Beti Rozen
Mrs. Anges Ptasznik, Mr. Jochen Renz
Ms. Anna Porowski, Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper, Mr. Krzysztof Porowski,
Ms. Ashley Porowski