Posts Tagged ‘polish language’

It is once again time to renew your membership in the Polish American Cultural Center honoring John Paul II. For those who are not members of the Center, we hope you will join us in our mission to preserve and promote Polish traditions and culture in the Cleveland area.

We had a successful year in 2009 and we continue to be optimistic about our future. We had a number of events such as celebrations of Polish Constitution and Independence Days. Our biggest event of the year was the reception held to honor our living veterans of the Polish Armed Forces in World War II.. We hosted several receptions and a number of dinners including one for Kościuszko Foundation, Ohio Section. Our celebration of Wigilia and the showing of Jasełka by the children of the Polish school were a big hit with the public. We sponsored the appearance of Eleni and Ich Troje, the artistic groups from Poland. We also held First Polish Youth Talent Show. We continue to have Sunday lunches which have become very popular among Polanians as a Sunday get together. (more…)

“Polska jest, prosze pani. Ja jestem Polakem!” Powerful words of a powerful climax of a powerful play. Chances are they don’t mean much to you, but they meant a tremendous amount to the audience who heard me recite them on stage; and to me, whose self-esteem had been faltering because of the disease that plagued my eyes.

“Mooooom, please don’t make me go. I know Polish just fine, I can speak it perfectly, see?” It was my eighth grade year, and I had convinced myself that the saints, demons, and Greek gods of boredom had embodied themselves in the abomination of Polish School. Every Saturday morning, my mom heard the same suppliant request: “Let me stay home from Polish School today.” Every Saturday morning, I experienced the same simple response: “No.” Every Saturday morning, I had to sacrifice the new episodes of Pokemon that I held so dear to my heart. Polish School had always been a part of my life, and only recently had I decided that I was “too cool” for it.
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The round figure of the tenth anniversary of Opera Circle is reason for cordial congratulations to the entire cast and crew, for the expression of appreciation, and furthermore for a certain national pride.
For here two Poles gifted with a passion for music, having been professionally trained in Poland, undertake an enormous work: they open an opera house in Cleveland.

Dorota Sobieska and Jacek Sobieski did not resign from their artistic calling after coming to the US and did not change profession. Rather, they remained faithful to music. And furthermore in that most difficult form, which is the art of opera. To realize such a production requires various elements: soloists, orchestra, oftentimes chorus and ballet, sets, props, costumes, and naturally a venue.

All these components developed with each performance. From the very beginning, the operas were cast with exceptional soloists, while the instrumental ensemble continued to grow. Regular audience members and aficionados remember that the first operas were accompanied only by Jacek Sobieski on the piano. But with time, he became the conductor of a chamber orchestra, composed most regularly of twelve to fourteen musicians, among them the violinist daughter of the Sobieskis, Wanda. (more…)