Throughout the year, the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning at Elms College offers a variety of workshops, exhibits, concerts, conferences, seminars, films, plays, lectures and other events that focus on the history and cultural traditions of the Polish people in Europe and the United States.
Here, you'll find a list of upcoming events and information about how you can enrich your life by participating in one of the unique educational or cultural experiences offered by the Center.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 29, 2010
6TH KRAKUS FESTIVAL
You are cordially invited to join in the festivities and celebration
at the 2011 Krakus Festival
A Benefit for the
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
Introduction to the Polish Heritage Tour A unique insight into Poland’s History, Culture, Folklore and Traditions This is the sixth tour sponsored by the Polish Center. We will leave Boston and arrive in Warsaw the next day. We go on to Torun (the gingerbread capital of Poland and home of Nicholas Copernicus) through Otrebusy (Karolin, home of the Mazowsze Dance Company) and Lowicz, an especially colorful folkart center. We will visit Biskupin (a pre-historic settlement going back to at least 750 BC) and Gniezno (Poland’s first capital). Our group is scheduled to stay the night at the Rydzyna Palace, visit Boleslawiec (known in the US for its ceramics) and stay the night at Kliczkow castle (where we can select to take advantage of the spa facilities). We go on to Wozniki, Czestochowa, and Wisla. There will be an opportunity to see how Polish crystal is cut in Zawiercie before the tour proceeds to Wisla in the Beskid Mountains. Here, participants will, among other events, attend a Mountain Festival and visit the Zywiec Brewery (one of the best known and oldest of Polish breweries). In the village of Koniakow, we will visit a lace maker and have lunch in a village cottage. A visit to Wadowice, the home of John Paul II, is on the program as we go on to the ancient Krakow, (certainly one of the most magnificent of Polish cities). The tour includes a visit to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine and Zakopane in the Tatra mountains. Optional excursions are available to Auschwitz. The tour departs from Krakow to Boston. All inclusive cost from Boston: $3,890 per person. Single room supplement $680 For information and a brochure call PAT/Worldwide Tours 1-413-747-7702 or 1-800-388-0988 or speak to Stas at the Polish Center 413-592-0001
KATYÑ: MASSACRE, POLITICS, MORALITY
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT AT THE
POLISH CENTER OF DISCOVERY AND LEARNING
33 South Street, Chicopee, MA 01013
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
and the Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter
are honored to host a remarkable exhibit consisting of
44 panels depicting the story and images
of 22,000 Polish military officers, policemen, priests,
landowners, lawyers, doctors, teachers,
and civil servants murdered by the Soviets in 1940.
The exhibition was prepared by Andrzej Przewozniak of the
Polish Council for the Protection of Memory, Struggle and Martyrdom
with the cooperation of the Kosciuszko Foundation (NYC)
and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (Washington, D.C.).
The exhibit has been shown in places such as the EU headquarters in Brussels,
the Library of Congress, as well as the
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace
at Stanford University.
Many will recall that en route to a Katyñ memorial in April, 2010
the lives of Poland’s President, First Lady, the producer of this exhibit Andrzej Przewozniak,
as well as many government officials, leaders of the military, prominent personalities
in business and the Church were lost in a tragic airplane crash.
OPENING HOURS MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
- Friday/Saturday............April 8 and 9......10AM to 6PM
- Sunday........................April 10..............10AM to 2PM
- Monday – Tuesday........April 11-19.........10AM to 7PM
- Wednesday..................April 20..............10AM to 2PM
- Thursday.....................April 21...............10AM to 7PM
For further information call: 413-592-0001
Admission free and open to the general public.
This exhibit is not recommended for children under the age of 12
Voluntary donations to help offset the cost of transporting the exhibit are gratefully accepted
APRIL 20, 2011- 5:30 PM
Admission free and open to the general public.
KATYÑ AND SIBERIA POLES MARKED FOR EXTERMINATION
A PANEL DISCUSSION WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY
Scanlan Building, Scanlan Banquet Hall
A moving and thought-provoking meeting with scholars and Polish citizens who were sent to Siberia or lost family members at Katyñ. This is a remarkable opportunity to actually touch history. Free and open to the general public. Refreshments available before the program.
These events are sponsored by the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning, The Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter, The College of Our Lady of the Elms, and Westfield State University.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 2011 -- 7:00 PM
A SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE OFFICER’S WIFE
A FILM PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY PIOTR UZAROWICZ
Elms College Alumnae Library Theatre
Elms College Campus Chicopee, MA 01013
Admission by invitation only — call 413-734-7072 for information.
A film inspired by a recently discovered manuscript and photos describing the previously little known life story of the director’s grandmother. Forcibly taken to a Siberian Gulag, she struggles to survive and later learns that her husband, a Polish army officer, was murdered at Katyñ in Soviet Russia
SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2011 - 3:00 PM
EXHIBIT OPENING EVENT
A READING OF A PLAY BY AUTHOR KENDALL MERRIAM
The interrogation of Janina Lewandowska
Elms College Alumnae Library Theatre
Elms College Campus Chicopee, MA 01013
Admission free and open to the general public.
The story of the Soviet interrogation of the one woman, a Polish pilot, murdered at Katyñ. Janina Lewandowska, daughter of the commander of the Polish Army First Corps, had a passionate love of flying and parachuting. After the readings, there will be refreshments after which you are invited to view the Katyñ exhibit at the Polish Center, no more than a block away from the College. Parking is available near the main entrance of the Polish Center.
ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES AN EVENT HOSTED BY THE CHICOPEE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION The Polish Center 33 South Street Chicopee, MA 01013 Free of charge and open to the general public. Trees may be viewed Nov. 9 and Nov. 14 from 1-6 P.M. Silent Auction of trees Nov. 14. Come see the many trees on display. This event will provide you with an opportunity to visit the Polish Center and view the many trees that will be auctioned to benefit the Chicopee VNA, which provides preventative health screenings and clinics throughout our community.
October 30, 2010 - 2:30 PM
MUNICH HOUSE RESTAURANT/POLISH CENTER
SPECIAL LUNCH AND TOUR
The Munich Haus Restaurant in Chicopee and the Polish Center are offering a Polish lunch at the Munich Haus and then a guided tour at the Polish Center."
Choose from a special luncheon menu including 17 entrees of traditional Polish dishes such as house made pierogi, kielbasa, and kapusta as well as German standard stuffed pork roast, great schnitzels, sausages and much more.
Lunches include Garden Salad with a choice of 2 dressings
For dessert a Vienna style pastry table with German and Polish specialties
Coffee and tea served.
Please make your reservations in advance.
We look forward to seeing you.
$25 per person - Children under 12 $14.50 (tax and tip included).
Call (413) 594-8788
www.munichhaus.com
www.polishcenter.net
FRIDAY OCTOBER 29, 2010
5TH KRAKUS FESTIVAL
You are cordially invited to join in the festivities and celebration
at the 2010 Krakus Festival
A Benefit for the
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
The Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House
500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
Social Hour 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Followed by Polish Dinner at 7:15 p.m.
Dancing to the music of Eddie Forman Orchestra
With guest appearance of Madeline Lukowski
Tickets $100 per person
With special tribute and guest appearance of
Fr. Charles Jan DiMascola
Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Turners Falls, MA
R.S.V.P. by October 22, 2010
Reservations no later than October 22, 2010
Joseph M. Kos
Krakus Festival Committee
5 Lynn Ann Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040
Menu
Hors d’Oeuvres
Barszcz Soup, Polish Rye Bread, Rolls and Butter
Mesclun Salad, Vidalia Onion Dressing with Crumbled Bleu Cheese
Family Style Selection of Bigos Stew, Golabki, Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potato and Cheese Pierogies
Roast Loin of Pork with Cider Sauce
Potato Casserole, Kapusta and Season Vegetables
Cheese Cake with Fruit Topping
Coffee and Tea Service
For more information write or call the
Polish Center at
33 South St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
413-592-0001
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 7-9 PM
WIWAT POLONIA!
A FESTIVE EVENING
at
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
on the evening before Kosciuszko’s Imieniny.
Sponsored by the Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter
to benefit the Polish Center
Featuring: Musical interlude and Polish delicacies
We encourage you to join us for the celebration.
All are welcome to attend and we hope many of the women will dress in white like the
elegant ladies in 1792.
There will be pleasant surprises for those dressed in white with blue ribbons in their hair!!!
On October 28, 1792, Thaddeus Kosciuszko’s "IMIENINY"
(name day), Prince Czartoryski held a party at the Sieniawa
Palace to honor him. Russia had just crushed the Polish Army,
outlawed the May 3rd Constitution, and banned the Virtuti
Militari medals given to the Polish Heroes. Officers who had
received these medals sent the blue ribbons from these medals to
their wives and sweethearts. At this party for Kosciuszko, these
women wore white dresses with black and azure sashes and
braided the blue ribbons into their hair. For Kosciuszko, these
same women fashioned a garland crown made of branches from
an oak tree planted 100 years before by King Sobieski.
$10.00 per person.
All proceeds will benefit
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning.
For Information call: 413 532-1546
or email cct58@comcast.net
LIMITED SEATING SO PLEASE RESERVE EARLY
Send check by October 22 made out to KF/NE to:
Carolyn Topor
8 Sycamore Parc
S. Hadley MA 01075
July 19, 2010
THE POLISH CENTER NINTH ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE
to Benefit the Polish Center
THE HAMPDEN COUNTRY CLUB
128 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and a Polish lunch will be served at 10:45. Shotgun start for the tourney is at noon. A steak dinner will follow at 5 p.m.
Entry fee is $125 and includes prizes, meals, use of a cart and locker facilities. Teams and foursomes are welcome. Raffle prizes and a silent auction will wind up the event. Sponsorships are available and a tee green sponsor is $100. For information contact Ed Dzielenski at 413-567-3132.
This is a fund-raiser for the newly renovated Polish Center. Tax-deductible monetary donations may be made to the Polish Center.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
OPEN HOUSE FOR POLISH CENTER MEMBERS
3:00-6:00 p.m.
The Polish Center invites the membership to a special showing of the museum and cultural center on 33 South St.
Wine and cheese reception will follow tours of the new galleries. Please R.S.V.P. the Polish Center 413-592-0001.
A LIFE LEARNING COURSE
June 2, 9, 16, and 23
THE POLISH PEOPLE: WHO ARE THEY?
2009 Benefit Tour of Poland
This will be the fifth tour of Poland sponsored by the Polish Center. Those who have been with us on previous trips and are now planning to accompany us on this one will have seen most of the country. In planning our tours, we strive to include something out of the ordinary. Examples from past tours include medieval reenactments, ghosts, Christmas tree ornament production, and storytelling. This year, after visiting Warsaw we look forward to visiting the Bialystok region, which was responsible for the second largest number of Polish emigrants to come to America at the beginning of the twentieth century. Since we always promise you that there will be something out of the ordinary for tourists to see, you will visit an ancient Polish Muslim community and eat lunch with a Polish Tatar family. You will attend a country fair in Kiermusy, visit a weaver’s workshop in Janów and pass through a number of small villages on your way to Lublin and Rzeszów. The tour will introduce you to Bochnia, a saltmine which is older than the famous Wieliczka mine. You will have ample time to enjoy Kraków, the most magnificent city in Poland and on returning north to Warsaw there will be a stop in Czêstochowa (Poland’s most holy shrine), £ód’ (the "Hollywood" of Poland), and £owicz (the colorful folk capital of the country). We also hope to schedule a meeting with a master maker of the szopka krakowska (fascinating Krakow style Christmas creches—the Polish Center has 13 in its collection).
The tour will depart from Boston on July 30 and arrive home August 12.
For details contact
PAT TOURS at 413-747-7702
1-800-388-0988
or
THE POLISH CENTER at 413-592-0001
or WRITE TO THE POLISH CENTER