Current issue:
EVENTS - 12.2008
Parties to greet 2009
Varsovians and visitors to the capital of Poland will greet the New Year at a big party which will be organized this year at Plac Konstytucji. The main theme of the party is supposed to be hits by Abba, which have returned to the top of the charts because of the popularity of the movie ‘Mamma Mia’ with Meryl Streep in the lead role. The songs of Abba will be played in Warsaw by the best cover bands, from Sweden and Great Britain. During the concert, which will last at least five hours, there will also be performances by Polish artists - the most popular ones, of course - so it will be fun to welcome 2009!
Warsaw in ‘Lonely Planet'
According to the prestigious ‘Lonely Planet’ guide, Warsaw - along with Lisbon, Mexico City, and Beirut - is among the top ten cities of 2009. The guides, which are practically bibles to true tourists and globetrotters, will soon announce the 10 trendiest cities in the world which have to be seen in 2009. The list, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Antwerp, Beirut, Chicago, Glasgow, Lisbon, Mexico City, Sao Paolo, Shanghai, Warsaw and Zurich. The guide is aimed at a particular group of tourists who do not go out for conventional tourism but who are looking for something special. And Warsaw can ensure that. Although our city does not have (and will not have) as many historical sites as Cracow, it has its own special ambiance and legend. And those are great attributes.
Warsaw is climbing up
Warsaw is climbing higher. More and more skyscrapers will be built in the middle of the city, changing its panorama. These buildings will be the designs of leading world architects who appreciate challenges like this. At the head, we should mention the famous Iraqi Zaha Hadid, who designed Lilium Tower, which will stand near Hotel Marriott, and which will be 250 meters high - higher than the Palace of Culture and Science (231 meters). Other tall structures will include two identical buildings which were designed by Spanish architects and which will stand at 2 Prosta Street, at the very heart of the city. They will be 170 meters high. The tallest of them, the tallest building in Warsaw and one of the tallest in Europe, will be the Kulczyk Holding building, 282 meters high, which will stand in the center of the city near the existing Warta Tower. These are only a few of the planned skyscrapers.
Sometimes everything stands on its head
We now know what photograph will be used to promote Warsaw in the rivalry for the title of European Cultural Capital 2016. The winning picture in the competition was taken by Rafał Stankiewicz and portrays the Palace of Culture and Science reflected in a puddle on one of Warsaw’s streets. More than a thousand photos were entered in competition. Varsovians chose the winner. The symbolism of the winning photo is close to Warsaw’s citizens and to visitors in the city. The street is close to people and the Palace of Culture and Science as an example of socialist realism in art fascinates foreigners; the reflection in the puddle shows that sometimes everything stands on its head, here. This picture, according to experts, uses a simple but effective metaphor, because it portrays a spirit of youth. Thus, the Palace of Culture and Science, so grim in its initial significance (as a symbol of communism), has turned out to be a building with a sense of humor.
A city/film decoration
At the Ministry of Culture and Art and at the WytwÛrnia FilmÛw Fabularnych (Feature Film Studio) an idea has come up to build permanent scenery portraying Warsaw during the German occupation and during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The originators of the idea are Polish film-makers who are having difficulties finding the right scenery for their films, in which the plots take place during the Second World Warsaw and the Warsaw Uprising. The theme is very popular and often present in Polish films. In addition, film-makers from abroad would be able to use the scenery. It is worth recalling that many famous film-makers have directed war films in Warsaw. Recently, Roman Polański made his Oscar-winning film ‘The Pianist’ here.
The Statue of Liberty in Warsaw?
Victor Boraks, an American with Polish ancestry, wants to realize his unusual idea in Warsaw - namely, he has decided to build a Statue of Liberty in the capital of Poland. It will be similar to the one in New York. The monument is supposed to be 100 meters tall (with a 50-meter pedestal and a 50-meter female figure with a torch), and would stand in the Vistula, on an artificial island, opposite the Royal Castle. The Varsovian Statue of Liberty is supposed to be ready by 2010 at the latest, and will cost 50 million dollars. The originator of the idea feels that Warsaw deserves a symbol of freedom and overthrowing communism, like this one. The American Embassy in Warsaw also supports the idea. If it comes into being, this monument will be the third symbol of friendship between Poland and America, after the copy of the Tadeusz Kościuszko monument and the monument to Ronald Reagan, which will stand near the American Embassy building.
A round synagogue
There are plans to build the Lessla synagogue with very interesting architecture at Jagiellońska Street in the Praga district. The synagogue was originally built in 1835 and was designed in a classicist style. It had the form of a rotunda and four symmetrical vestibules. It was one of six round synagogues in Europe during those times. It served as a place of prayer for several generations of Warsaw Jews, until the times of the Second World War. The Germans turned it into a delousing center. The destroyed building was torn down in 1961. Today, there is a playground in its place. Lovers of old Prague have decided that the Lessla synagogue should be rebuilt because of its interesting history and architecture. The district authorities are also in favor of the idea.
Gold and silver coins with Wałęsa
Commemorative coins with the image of Lech Wałęsa will be issued on the 5th of December in Gdańsk. The coins will be issued in two denominations - 4 thalars (120,000) and 7 thalars (20,000). The first will be made of brass and the second one out of two-toned metal. They will be in circulation until the end of March, 2009. It will be possible to use them as payment in local companies. The thalar will be brought out at a network of exchange offices (the currency rate will be 1 PLN to 1 thalar). The coins will be available to buy on the Internet. An emission of gold and silver thalars is also planned, for collectors. The first gold thalar will be given to Lech Wałęsa himself. These thalars are intended to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ‘Solidarność’ leader’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Warsaw will have a its own bugle call
Warsaw, like Cracow, will have its own bugle call. It will be the work of Professor Zbigniew Bagiński, based on a motif from ‘Warszawianka’, which won a competition at the Warsaw Academy of Music. The piece is always played at 11:15 from the tower of the Royal Castle. The hour is not accidental - at 11:15, the clock stopped on the castle tower during the German bombardment of Warsaw on the 17th of September, 1939.
Varsovians and visitors to the capital of Poland will greet the New Year at a big party which will be organized this year at Plac Konstytucji. The main theme of the party is supposed to be hits by Abba, which have returned to the top of the charts because of the popularity of the movie ‘Mamma Mia’ with Meryl Streep in the lead role. The songs of Abba will be played in Warsaw by the best cover bands, from Sweden and Great Britain. During the concert, which will last at least five hours, there will also be performances by Polish artists - the most popular ones, of course - so it will be fun to welcome 2009!
Warsaw in ‘Lonely Planet'
According to the prestigious ‘Lonely Planet’ guide, Warsaw - along with Lisbon, Mexico City, and Beirut - is among the top ten cities of 2009. The guides, which are practically bibles to true tourists and globetrotters, will soon announce the 10 trendiest cities in the world which have to be seen in 2009. The list, in alphabetical order, is as follows: Antwerp, Beirut, Chicago, Glasgow, Lisbon, Mexico City, Sao Paolo, Shanghai, Warsaw and Zurich. The guide is aimed at a particular group of tourists who do not go out for conventional tourism but who are looking for something special. And Warsaw can ensure that. Although our city does not have (and will not have) as many historical sites as Cracow, it has its own special ambiance and legend. And those are great attributes.
Warsaw is climbing up
Warsaw is climbing higher. More and more skyscrapers will be built in the middle of the city, changing its panorama. These buildings will be the designs of leading world architects who appreciate challenges like this. At the head, we should mention the famous Iraqi Zaha Hadid, who designed Lilium Tower, which will stand near Hotel Marriott, and which will be 250 meters high - higher than the Palace of Culture and Science (231 meters). Other tall structures will include two identical buildings which were designed by Spanish architects and which will stand at 2 Prosta Street, at the very heart of the city. They will be 170 meters high. The tallest of them, the tallest building in Warsaw and one of the tallest in Europe, will be the Kulczyk Holding building, 282 meters high, which will stand in the center of the city near the existing Warta Tower. These are only a few of the planned skyscrapers.
Sometimes everything stands on its head
We now know what photograph will be used to promote Warsaw in the rivalry for the title of European Cultural Capital 2016. The winning picture in the competition was taken by Rafał Stankiewicz and portrays the Palace of Culture and Science reflected in a puddle on one of Warsaw’s streets. More than a thousand photos were entered in competition. Varsovians chose the winner. The symbolism of the winning photo is close to Warsaw’s citizens and to visitors in the city. The street is close to people and the Palace of Culture and Science as an example of socialist realism in art fascinates foreigners; the reflection in the puddle shows that sometimes everything stands on its head, here. This picture, according to experts, uses a simple but effective metaphor, because it portrays a spirit of youth. Thus, the Palace of Culture and Science, so grim in its initial significance (as a symbol of communism), has turned out to be a building with a sense of humor.
A city/film decoration
At the Ministry of Culture and Art and at the WytwÛrnia FilmÛw Fabularnych (Feature Film Studio) an idea has come up to build permanent scenery portraying Warsaw during the German occupation and during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The originators of the idea are Polish film-makers who are having difficulties finding the right scenery for their films, in which the plots take place during the Second World Warsaw and the Warsaw Uprising. The theme is very popular and often present in Polish films. In addition, film-makers from abroad would be able to use the scenery. It is worth recalling that many famous film-makers have directed war films in Warsaw. Recently, Roman Polański made his Oscar-winning film ‘The Pianist’ here.
The Statue of Liberty in Warsaw?
Victor Boraks, an American with Polish ancestry, wants to realize his unusual idea in Warsaw - namely, he has decided to build a Statue of Liberty in the capital of Poland. It will be similar to the one in New York. The monument is supposed to be 100 meters tall (with a 50-meter pedestal and a 50-meter female figure with a torch), and would stand in the Vistula, on an artificial island, opposite the Royal Castle. The Varsovian Statue of Liberty is supposed to be ready by 2010 at the latest, and will cost 50 million dollars. The originator of the idea feels that Warsaw deserves a symbol of freedom and overthrowing communism, like this one. The American Embassy in Warsaw also supports the idea. If it comes into being, this monument will be the third symbol of friendship between Poland and America, after the copy of the Tadeusz Kościuszko monument and the monument to Ronald Reagan, which will stand near the American Embassy building.
A round synagogue
There are plans to build the Lessla synagogue with very interesting architecture at Jagiellońska Street in the Praga district. The synagogue was originally built in 1835 and was designed in a classicist style. It had the form of a rotunda and four symmetrical vestibules. It was one of six round synagogues in Europe during those times. It served as a place of prayer for several generations of Warsaw Jews, until the times of the Second World War. The Germans turned it into a delousing center. The destroyed building was torn down in 1961. Today, there is a playground in its place. Lovers of old Prague have decided that the Lessla synagogue should be rebuilt because of its interesting history and architecture. The district authorities are also in favor of the idea.
Gold and silver coins with Wałęsa
Commemorative coins with the image of Lech Wałęsa will be issued on the 5th of December in Gdańsk. The coins will be issued in two denominations - 4 thalars (120,000) and 7 thalars (20,000). The first will be made of brass and the second one out of two-toned metal. They will be in circulation until the end of March, 2009. It will be possible to use them as payment in local companies. The thalar will be brought out at a network of exchange offices (the currency rate will be 1 PLN to 1 thalar). The coins will be available to buy on the Internet. An emission of gold and silver thalars is also planned, for collectors. The first gold thalar will be given to Lech Wałęsa himself. These thalars are intended to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ‘Solidarność’ leader’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Warsaw will have a its own bugle call
Warsaw, like Cracow, will have its own bugle call. It will be the work of Professor Zbigniew Bagiński, based on a motif from ‘Warszawianka’, which won a competition at the Warsaw Academy of Music. The piece is always played at 11:15 from the tower of the Royal Castle. The hour is not accidental - at 11:15, the clock stopped on the castle tower during the German bombardment of Warsaw on the 17th of September, 1939.
Found in our archive:
Information published at 15 December 2008