October 20 – 22
Saint John Paul II National Shrine
3900 Harewood Road NE, Washington, DC
October 26 – 27
Embassy of the Republic of Poland
2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC
October 28 | 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
KID Museum
6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD
October 30 | 8:00 pm
Avalon Theatre
5612 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC
|
|
Dear Reader,
It's the halfway point for October. At the beginning of the month Poland's Prime Minister Morawiecki came on an official visit to New York City. We're also halfway through Polish American Heritage Month, and the last two weeks have seen many Polish-American events, including celebrations observing Pulaski Day on October 11 and Kosciuszko Day on October 15. This month also marks the 40th anniversary of the election of Karol Wojtyła as Pope John Paul II. The last couple weeks have been an occasion to remember Poland's heroes and celebrate Polish achievements today ranging from music to economics. We hope you enjoy this recap of what's been going on!
|
|
Prime Minister Morawiecki on Wall Street
|
On October 4 the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange was sounded by Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Prime Minister Morawiecki was in New York for a one-day visit with a primarily economic focus. During talks at the NYSE Prime Minister Morawiecki emphasized Poland’s economic stability and invited increased American investment in Poland.
Following his stop at the NYSE Prime Minister Morawiecki paid his respects at the 9/11 Memorial, where he laid a wreath in memory of the attack’s victims. Later he attended the event "Poland: The Can-Do Nation" in New York’s Harvard Club. The Prime Minister’s speech at the conference emphasized the great economic progress Poland has made since the fall of communism.
Prime Minister Morawiecki’s visit came at an exciting time for Poland, which has recently been upgraded to the status of “developed market,” the first former Eastern Bloc country to achieve this title. And as the Prime Minister said in New York, "With good cooperation between the public and private sectors, and also foreign investment, Poland intends not just to remain in the club of developed economies but to progress even further."
More
Photos: Adam Guz/KPRM
|
|
|
Ambassador Wilczek in Virginia
|
Earlier this week Ambassador Piotr Wilczek was on an official visit to Virginia. During his time in the Commonwealth Ambassador Wilczek was joined by Polish Secretary of State Anna Maria Anders and Robert Joskowiak, Poland's Honorary Consul in Virginia.
The Ambassador began his time in the Commonwealth with an event honoring Virginia's official Kosciuszko Day on October 15, held at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. Over the next two days Ambassador Wilczek took part in the Polish-Virginia Business, Science and Innovation Summit and the Virginia International Trade Conference. In addition, Ambassador Wilczek and Secretary of State Anders traveled to Washington and Lee University for the panel discussion "Transatlantic Relations between Poland and the United States." Ambassador Wilczek emphasized the great potential for Poland and Virginia to expand their business ties and the great investment opportunities that Poland offers.
Earlier this year the Virginia Assembly declared October 11 to be General Casimir Pulaski Day and October 15 as General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Day, both of which will be observed annually from now on in Virginia.
|
|
|
40th Anniversary of the Papal Election of Karol Wojtyła
|
On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła of Poland was named Pope John Paul II. 2018 marks forty years since that momentous day. One of the giants of the 20th century, the priest from Kraków inspired millions around the world. John Paul II had a great impact on his homeland, which he helped guide through the fall of communism and the peaceful transition to a free and democratic country. His memory will always have a special place in the hearts of Poles.
This month there are many events commemorating John Paul II, including at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, DC. On Tuesday, October 16, the National Shrine hosted a "watch party" broadcasting Cardinal Wojtyła's 1978 selection as pope in Saint Peter's Square. The National Shrine will hold more events celebrating the anniversary over the weekend.
Photo: Wikimedia/
Schaack, Lothar
|
|
|
Earlier this month Poland’s Jazztopad Festival came to New York City. Jazztopad is a major jazz festival held annually in Wrocław, Poland, which attracts some of the world’s top jazz musicians. For a number of years Wrocław’s festival has hosted branch-off events in other cities, including New York. The New York Jazztopad Festival took place from October 3 to 6. This year Polish artists such as Kuba Więcek, Piotr Orzechowki, Wacław Zimpel, Michał Barański and Łukasz Żyta performed in venues across the city. Piotr Orzechowski was also in Washington, DC, where he gave a piano performance at the prestigious Kennedy Center. He was later joined in the capital by Kuba Więcek, where together they performed at the Kosciuszko Foundation. Once again Jazztopad served as an opportunity for Polish jazz artists to showcase their work to a broad international audience.
|
|
|
On Sunday, October 14, the Polish Embassy in partnership with the Embassy of Lithuania once again hosted the annual Kosciuszko Freedom Run. This was the event’s "Centennial Edition," as 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of regaining independence for both Poland and Lithuania. The main event was a 5K run through the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park, along with a 1K kids' run and a picnic afterward. The event was a great success and a lot of fun. Thanks to our sponsor, the Polish sportswear company 4F, the Montgomery County Road Runners Club and to all of this year’s participants! We hope to see you again next year!
Photos
|
|
|
October 11 is General Pulaski Memorial Day in the United States, and the commemoration is marked by many observances across the country. Two of the biggest events honoring the Polish-American hero are parades in New York City and Philadelphia, held each year on a weekend around October 11. On October 7 thousands of people dressed in red and white walked down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. New York’s Pulaski Day Parade has been an annual celebration since 1937, and the theme this year was “Poland on the Centennial of its Restoration to Independence, 1918-2018.” Last Sunday, October 14, Philadelphia held its own festivities, which took place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This was the city’s 85th annual Pulaski Day Parade. The parades included many different segments of the Polish community, from Polish folk dance groups to Polonia schools to representatives of the Polish government. The Pulaski Day celebrations were a clear reminder that America's Polonia is proud of its heritage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
