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ABOUT CULTURE - 03.2008
Legion of Honor for a composer
The gifted Polish composer Zygmunt Krauze was decorated with the highest French Legion of Honor medal. The composer is well-known in France, where his operas are performed. Krauz's creations can be heard at musical festivals around the world, for instance, at the Parisian Autumne, Musica in Strasburg, the Holland Festival and during Warsaw Autumn. The Legion of Honor medal, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, has been awarded to many Poles - artists and politicians, such as Jacek Kuroń, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Adam Michnik, Daniel Olbrychski, Julia Hartwig, Andrzej Seweryn, and Sławomir Mrożek. Krzysztof Krauze was not only honored for his compositions, but also for his contribution to the development of Polish-French relations.
A journey back to 1918-1939
'Wyprawa w dwudziestolecie' ('Exploring the Interwar Period in Polish Art') is the largest ever exposition of Polish art from 1918- 1939. Many of the works are on display for the first time. The exhibit shows the main artistic trends and their connection with historical and social events of that period. It was a very unique time, because in 1918 Poland regained its sovereignty after more than a hundred years of subjugation, and in 1939 the Second World War broke out, which changed the face of Poland, as well as that of Europe. The exhibit is divided into parts: the city, the machine, avant-garde, crisis, sport, and film. Next to paintings and sculptures there are also objects of the decorative arts - furniture, ceramic, and art deco glass. The exhibit at the National Museum will last until the 30th of March.
Zbigniew Herbert 2008
The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has declared 2008 the year of Zbigniew Herbert. This outstanding Polish poet, creator of Mr. Cogito, famous from the translations of his poetry into many world languages, was born in 1924 and died exactly ten years ago, in 1998. This anniversary, ceremoniously observed throughout Poland all year, will be an occasion to reflect upon the sustained relevance of Herbert's works, which are understandable to intelligent people who live in any culture. It is universal poetry. Many Americans associated Herbert with Mr. Cogito - the sage and philosopher, speaking wisely and comprehensibly about matters of modern mankind.
The English and a Polish poet
The English are going to promote... Adam Mickiewicz (1798-1855), the great and beloved Polish Romantic poet, whose works Poles know by heart. What has the British interested in Mickiewicz? The British producer Hugh Welchman made his newest film, 'Peter and the Wolf' in our country. He met the talented graduate of the famous film school in Łódź, 27-year-old Kamil Polak, who decided to make an animated film to bring us closer to the creativity of the great poet, fascinated by the atmosphere of his childhood home and the legends from childhood that accompanied him. That is how the film 'Świteź', came about, with its aesthetics inspired by Polish realist painting of the 19th century. The British made a documentary film about Mickiewicz at the same time.
Christopher Lambert is looking for girls in Warsaw
The immortal Christopher Lambert, who gained worldwide recognition for his role in the fantasy film 'Highlander' in 1986, made an appearance in Warsaw to realize scenes for the new film 'Kierowca' ('Limo Driver'), in which he plays a French businessman who comes to Poland to meet a girl (played by the lovely Magda Mielcarz, heroine of the film 'Quo vadis'). The producers describe the film as 'a thriller about passion.' The Director and scenographer is Jerome Dassier, a Frenchman who has lived in Poland for years. Other Polish actors also appear in the film. The premiere of the film is planned for October. It is worth mentioning that in 1988 Christopher Lambert played the role of the Polish priest, Jerzy Popiełuszko - murdered by the communists - in a film directed by Agnieszka Holland.
Hip hop from Warsaw awarded
Two Warsaw hip-hip performers from the groups Hemp Gru and Wilk i Bilon were bestowed with EBBA (European Boarder Breakers Awards) awards by the European Commissioner of Culture, Jan Figel. It was in recognition of the success of their album, 'Klucz,' and the number of concerts given outside of Poland. The ceremony took place in Cannes. Hemp Gru was among ten artists from the European Union countries who were being awarded. The award is given every year on the basis of criteria such as album sales in EU member states outside the country of production. The Hip-hoppers can be usually found in the Warsaw district of Mokotów. Thousands of hip-hip fans come to their concerts. They have also had their debut on the big screen.
Fuentes likes Polish literature and films
'I am a fan of Polish literature,' claimed the outstanding Mexican writer, Carlos Fuentes in an interview for the Polish press. The famous writer values the prose of Polish authors such as Antoni Libera, Sławomir Mrożek (this Polish playwright lived in Mexico for many years), Kazimierz Brandys, Tadeusz Konwicki, and Stanisław Lem. The writer loves - as he claims - films by Andrzej Wajda and Andrzej Munk. Carlos Fuentes amazes us with his excellent knowledge of Polish culture, which in his opinion has many admirers in South America.
Penderecki awarded
Albums by the recording label Dux with the music of Krzysztof Penderecki received an award at the Midem Fair in Cannes. Three compositions by the excellent Polish composer were included on them: Capriccio for violin and orchestra, De natura sonoris no. 2, and Concert for piano and orchestra 'Resurrection'. Midem Classical Awards are given in 16 categories: 12 are devoted to recordings, 3 to DVD films, and one to interpretations which are available online. The awards are granted by the representatives of specialized European media.
Medals for Polish television
Four Polish television programs received awards at the 51 New York Festival - a prestigious competition in television production involving 25 countries. The programs awarded were documentaries of the social situation in Poland, historical events (such as the escape of a prisoner from Auschwitz), and tourism. The ceremony where the awards were given took place in New York.
The gifted Polish composer Zygmunt Krauze was decorated with the highest French Legion of Honor medal. The composer is well-known in France, where his operas are performed. Krauz's creations can be heard at musical festivals around the world, for instance, at the Parisian Autumne, Musica in Strasburg, the Holland Festival and during Warsaw Autumn. The Legion of Honor medal, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, has been awarded to many Poles - artists and politicians, such as Jacek Kuroń, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Adam Michnik, Daniel Olbrychski, Julia Hartwig, Andrzej Seweryn, and Sławomir Mrożek. Krzysztof Krauze was not only honored for his compositions, but also for his contribution to the development of Polish-French relations.
A journey back to 1918-1939
'Wyprawa w dwudziestolecie' ('Exploring the Interwar Period in Polish Art') is the largest ever exposition of Polish art from 1918- 1939. Many of the works are on display for the first time. The exhibit shows the main artistic trends and their connection with historical and social events of that period. It was a very unique time, because in 1918 Poland regained its sovereignty after more than a hundred years of subjugation, and in 1939 the Second World War broke out, which changed the face of Poland, as well as that of Europe. The exhibit is divided into parts: the city, the machine, avant-garde, crisis, sport, and film. Next to paintings and sculptures there are also objects of the decorative arts - furniture, ceramic, and art deco glass. The exhibit at the National Museum will last until the 30th of March.
Zbigniew Herbert 2008
The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has declared 2008 the year of Zbigniew Herbert. This outstanding Polish poet, creator of Mr. Cogito, famous from the translations of his poetry into many world languages, was born in 1924 and died exactly ten years ago, in 1998. This anniversary, ceremoniously observed throughout Poland all year, will be an occasion to reflect upon the sustained relevance of Herbert's works, which are understandable to intelligent people who live in any culture. It is universal poetry. Many Americans associated Herbert with Mr. Cogito - the sage and philosopher, speaking wisely and comprehensibly about matters of modern mankind.
The English and a Polish poet
The English are going to promote... Adam Mickiewicz (1798-1855), the great and beloved Polish Romantic poet, whose works Poles know by heart. What has the British interested in Mickiewicz? The British producer Hugh Welchman made his newest film, 'Peter and the Wolf' in our country. He met the talented graduate of the famous film school in Łódź, 27-year-old Kamil Polak, who decided to make an animated film to bring us closer to the creativity of the great poet, fascinated by the atmosphere of his childhood home and the legends from childhood that accompanied him. That is how the film 'Świteź', came about, with its aesthetics inspired by Polish realist painting of the 19th century. The British made a documentary film about Mickiewicz at the same time.
Christopher Lambert is looking for girls in Warsaw
The immortal Christopher Lambert, who gained worldwide recognition for his role in the fantasy film 'Highlander' in 1986, made an appearance in Warsaw to realize scenes for the new film 'Kierowca' ('Limo Driver'), in which he plays a French businessman who comes to Poland to meet a girl (played by the lovely Magda Mielcarz, heroine of the film 'Quo vadis'). The producers describe the film as 'a thriller about passion.' The Director and scenographer is Jerome Dassier, a Frenchman who has lived in Poland for years. Other Polish actors also appear in the film. The premiere of the film is planned for October. It is worth mentioning that in 1988 Christopher Lambert played the role of the Polish priest, Jerzy Popiełuszko - murdered by the communists - in a film directed by Agnieszka Holland.
Hip hop from Warsaw awarded
Two Warsaw hip-hip performers from the groups Hemp Gru and Wilk i Bilon were bestowed with EBBA (European Boarder Breakers Awards) awards by the European Commissioner of Culture, Jan Figel. It was in recognition of the success of their album, 'Klucz,' and the number of concerts given outside of Poland. The ceremony took place in Cannes. Hemp Gru was among ten artists from the European Union countries who were being awarded. The award is given every year on the basis of criteria such as album sales in EU member states outside the country of production. The Hip-hoppers can be usually found in the Warsaw district of Mokotów. Thousands of hip-hip fans come to their concerts. They have also had their debut on the big screen.
Fuentes likes Polish literature and films
'I am a fan of Polish literature,' claimed the outstanding Mexican writer, Carlos Fuentes in an interview for the Polish press. The famous writer values the prose of Polish authors such as Antoni Libera, Sławomir Mrożek (this Polish playwright lived in Mexico for many years), Kazimierz Brandys, Tadeusz Konwicki, and Stanisław Lem. The writer loves - as he claims - films by Andrzej Wajda and Andrzej Munk. Carlos Fuentes amazes us with his excellent knowledge of Polish culture, which in his opinion has many admirers in South America.
Penderecki awarded
Albums by the recording label Dux with the music of Krzysztof Penderecki received an award at the Midem Fair in Cannes. Three compositions by the excellent Polish composer were included on them: Capriccio for violin and orchestra, De natura sonoris no. 2, and Concert for piano and orchestra 'Resurrection'. Midem Classical Awards are given in 16 categories: 12 are devoted to recordings, 3 to DVD films, and one to interpretations which are available online. The awards are granted by the representatives of specialized European media.
Medals for Polish television
Four Polish television programs received awards at the 51 New York Festival - a prestigious competition in television production involving 25 countries. The programs awarded were documentaries of the social situation in Poland, historical events (such as the escape of a prisoner from Auschwitz), and tourism. The ceremony where the awards were given took place in New York.
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Information published at 9 March 2008