Polish Culture Newsletter (no.119)

[Jaga]

How was your summer? Please, share with us your experience in the forum at:
jagahost.proboards79.com/index.cgi

I am sorry that I did not send any newsletter through this summer. I was busy teaching English in Lithuania for four weeks. Later we visited Poland. The pictures of my Lithuanian class, Klaipeda and Vilnius are in the forum at:
jagahost.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=9215
jagahost.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=9224

I always wanted to visit Lithuania since it was a part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. For several centuries. Poland and Lithuania were united in one kingdom, they joined together in face of Teutonic knights danger in 1395. First they were linked through the personal union (the same King), later the Commonwealth was created (1569). It is hard to imagine but Polish- Lithuania Kingdom was the biggest state in Europe, Lithuanian part was much bigger than Polish part in that time since it contained also a large territory of present Belarus and Ukraine.

If you are interested to teach English in Lithuania and visit beautiful Curonian Spit (Peninsula) and Vilnius please check:
www.lcc.lt/

Vilnius has still many historical churches/cemeteries and the university which remember Polish times. It is a multi-cultural city, almost everybody there speaks Polish, Lithuanian and Russian languages. It is a beautiful town built mainly in the Gothic style and a capital of free Lithuania. Lithuania became free in 1991, earlier it was one of the Soviet republics.

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August 31, yesterday, marks 30 years since the establishment of Solidarity.

Check the Brief History of Solidarity:
www.polishsite.us/index.php/politics-and-economy/life-in-prl/244.html

Women of Solidarity Workers' Union in Poland
www.polishsite.us/index.php/politics-and-economy/life-in-prl/243.html

Lech Walesa Visits Washington during 25th Anniversary of Solidarity Workers' Union
www.polishsite.us/index.php/emigration-and-genealogy/polonia-in-usa/283.html

Lech Walesa Visits Washington During Solidarity's 25th Anniversary
www.polishsite.us/index.php/emigration-and-genealogy/polonia-in-usa/275.html

There were two celebrations ? the official one organized by present Solidarity establishment, which is closely related to PIS ? Polish political party ruled by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, twin brother of ex-president Lech Kaczynski who died in the airplane catastrophe in April. Another celebration was organized by Lech Walesa in Gdansk. Unfortunately due to political reasons current Solidarity movement does not get along with Lech Walesa as well as the current Polish prime-minister and new president. Donald Tusk, current prime-minister and Komorowski represent another Polish party, Citizens Platform (PO). It is sad that the Solidarity movement is divided according to political views and they do not accept Lech Walesa anymore as their honorary leader..
Poland just like the US is becoming very polarized according to the party lines.

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Today is another big anniversary ? 71 years after the start of World War II with the invasion of Poland.
Several articles are available at:
www.polishsite.us/index.php/history-and-people/modern-history.html
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NEW ARTICLE

PAJ? Pays Its Respects At Polish Embassy
www.polishsite.us/index.php/emigration-and-genealogy/polonia-in-usa/453.html
this press release was written by Richard Poremski. It shows Poremski signing the condolences book and flowers in front of the Embassy after the airplane accident.
The article contains also the list of deceased politicians and activists who died in plane accident together with Polish president in April 2010.

JAGA RECOMMENDS

The Black Madonna of Derby by Joanna Czechowska. Its kindle edition is available on Amazon now:
www.amazon.com/Black-Madonna-Derby-ebook/dp/B003Y8XUMA/Polishculture-20

Check the review at:
www.polishsite.us/index.php/emigration-and-genealogy/polonia-worldwide/449.html

I recommend also "The Uprooted - about fates of Poles in WW II?, by William B. Makowski.
www.amazon.com/Uprooted-William-B-Makowski/dp/0969469810/polishculture-20

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Visit Polish Culture Forum
jagahost.proboards79.com/index.cgi
we have many interesting discussions.
Check our discussion about the current situation in Poland, another flood danger etc.
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EDITORS
Jagoda Urban-Klaehn (Jaga): Website Host
Issue September 1, 2010
The Polish Culture Newsletter © 2010
All Rights Reserved.

Jaga is also the editor in Polish-American Journal:
www.polamjournal.com/
and in DMOZ
www.dmoz.org/Society/Ethnicity/Slavic/Polish/

e-mail: [e-mail]

[arlene]

Thank you Jaga,

I got your newletter. I did have nice summer, been visiting to Union, Chicago, Woodstock, Arlington Hts. and Palatine. These villages have lot of activites which I enjoy is like Family Styles. Children really enjoy their fun s.

We adults enjoy watching them. In between I do checked your website too.

[Jaga]

Hi Arlene,

have you been in Woodstock when you were younger? Not just with children? I would love to go there!

[arlene]

Sept 2, 2010 13:10:31 GMT -7 Jaga said:

Hi Arlene,

have you been in Woodstock when you were younger? Not just with children? I would love to go there!

No, I visited Woodstock, IL in 2003 right after I moved from Chicago, IL. My niece got married and moved to Woodstock, IL. My niece and her husband are proud parent of 4 years old daughter. She is adorable little girl. My sister and I visited them when we go over there. Now my niece & her husband are expecting 2nd in November. I am Great Aunt again. Well, I do have 8 Great nephews and Nieces in different villages as i mentioned above.

Around Christmas time it is beautiful in Woodstock, IL. Old fashioned Christmas Caroling right after Thanksgiving.



Woodstock, IL is beautiful place to be. Bill Murray made movie in there. It is called Groundhog Day! I have seen this movies so many times.

www.awaketowoodstock.com/

[Bob S]

I keep getting two copies of the Newsletter but, that is because maybe I am extra good.

[karl]

Sept 4, 2010 13:49:22 GMT -7 Bob S said:

I keep getting two copies of the Newsletter but, that is because maybe I am extra good.

Jeepers Bob

As the same here, gollies, you have taken the starch out of my shirt and now, only to flap in what ever breeze

Karl

[Jaga]

Guys,

yes, you are so good that you are entitled to extra free copy
I probably have you on two lists - one for subscribers and one for forum members.

[Jaga]

Hi Arlene,

you are probably a wonderful aunt and great aunt! My mother had several sisters and they were always a part of our close family. I missed them just like I miss my parents

[Bob S]

Sept 4, 2010 17:04:49 GMT -7 Jaga said:

Guys,

yes, you are so good that you are entitled to extra free copy
I probably have you on two lists - one for subscribers and one for forum members.

;D Well Jaga; I can put on my reading glasses and read the 2nd copy. Of course I might have missed something in the 1st copy and can catch it in the 2nd copy. ;D

[geniafl]

Got your newsletter and it's been awhile since I posted. The newsletter reminds me that I haven't been on here in a few months. I will try to post more often. I enjoyed your pictures and thank you for sharing them with us.

[Jaga]

Hi Genia,

thanks for visiting us again!