DISCOVERING POLAND'S HERITAGE AT ST JAMES CAVALIER
Malta Independent Online
Monday, July 07, 2008
Malta
As part of the activities to mark the European Year of Intercultural
Dialogue 2008, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland is hosting the
exhibition A Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage at
the Atrium of St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta.
The exhibition was inaugurated by President Edward Fenech Adami,
in the presence of Jerzy Chmielewski, Ambassador of Poland,
and Michael Fenech, chairman of St James Cavalier Centre for
Creativity. Distinguished guests, including Polish residents in Malta,
attended the official opening, and witnessed a taste of Poland's
unique heritage on film.
"The Polish-Lithuanian Union, which existed until late 18th century -
which we for the purpose of this exhibition, call Commonwealth - was
an extraordinary state in terms of political, religious and cultural
criteria that had no counterpart in European history. Visitors
to the exhibition have the opportunity to become acquainted with
the traditions from Lithuanian, Jewish, German, Islamic, French,
Ruthenian, Armenian and Italian origins that played an important role
in our history," said Mr Chmielewski.
A Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage is an
international educational exhibition which presents the history of
tolerance and coexistence of various ethnic groups in the territory
of the Polish-Lithuanian Common-
wealth.
The multi-media presentation at the Atrium consists of 10 documentaries
carried out by the National Library in Warsaw in collaboration with
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the European Year
of Intercultural Dialogue 2008.
Each presentation features different traditions and collections
of precious literary works. The documentaries are narrated by
distinguished speakers, such as Professor Shevah Weiss in the Jewish
spot and Professor Norman Davies, who gives a short talk about Polish
Commonwealth's history.
A piano recital by the pianist Pawe Mazurkiewicz from Poland preceded
the opening of the exhibition. He performed works by Bach, Chopin,
Scriabin, Grieg, Gershwin and Debussy.
Prizewinner of the prestigious Swiss music prize, Prix Credit Suisse
- Jeunes Solistes 2003, Pawel Mazurkiewicz was born in Warsaw and
graduated with distinction from the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music
in Warsaw in 2000. In 2004 he graduated also with distinction and with
Eduard Tschumi Music Prize from the University of Arts in Bern. He is
currently assistant professor of the Piano class at the University
of Arts in Bern, Switzerland. He has started composing, arranging
and performing jazz music as an addition to his classical repertoire.
Valletta is the second capital after Rome where the exhibition is
being presented. The multimedia collection will be touring France,
Holland, Turkey and other European countries.
A Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage is organised
by the Embassy of Poland with the support of St James Cavalier Centre
for Creativity, Valletta, and is open till 20 July.
Malta Independent Online
Monday, July 07, 2008
Malta
As part of the activities to mark the European Year of Intercultural
Dialogue 2008, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland is hosting the
exhibition A Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage at
the Atrium of St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta.
The exhibition was inaugurated by President Edward Fenech Adami,
in the presence of Jerzy Chmielewski, Ambassador of Poland,
and Michael Fenech, chairman of St James Cavalier Centre for
Creativity. Distinguished guests, including Polish residents in Malta,
attended the official opening, and witnessed a taste of Poland's
unique heritage on film.
"The Polish-Lithuanian Union, which existed until late 18th century -
which we for the purpose of this exhibition, call Commonwealth - was
an extraordinary state in terms of political, religious and cultural
criteria that had no counterpart in European history. Visitors
to the exhibition have the opportunity to become acquainted with
the traditions from Lithuanian, Jewish, German, Islamic, French,
Ruthenian, Armenian and Italian origins that played an important role
in our history," said Mr Chmielewski.
A Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage is an
international educational exhibition which presents the history of
tolerance and coexistence of various ethnic groups in the territory
of the Polish-Lithuanian Common-
wealth.
The multi-media presentation at the Atrium consists of 10 documentaries
carried out by the National Library in Warsaw in collaboration with
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the European Year
of Intercultural Dialogue 2008.
Each presentation features different traditions and collections
of precious literary works. The documentaries are narrated by
distinguished speakers, such as Professor Shevah Weiss in the Jewish
spot and Professor Norman Davies, who gives a short talk about Polish
Commonwealth's history.
A piano recital by the pianist Pawe Mazurkiewicz from Poland preceded
the opening of the exhibition. He performed works by Bach, Chopin,
Scriabin, Grieg, Gershwin and Debussy.
Prizewinner of the prestigious Swiss music prize, Prix Credit Suisse
- Jeunes Solistes 2003, Pawel Mazurkiewicz was born in Warsaw and
graduated with distinction from the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music
in Warsaw in 2000. In 2004 he graduated also with distinction and with
Eduard Tschumi Music Prize from the University of Arts in Bern. He is
currently assistant professor of the Piano class at the University
of Arts in Bern, Switzerland. He has started composing, arranging
and performing jazz music as an addition to his classical repertoire.
Valletta is the second capital after Rome where the exhibition is
being presented. The multimedia collection will be touring France,
Holland, Turkey and other European countries.
A Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage is organised
by the Embassy of Poland with the support of St James Cavalier Centre
for Creativity, Valletta, and is open till 20 July.