Chopin in the Sun

This year, 2010 is the 200th birthday of Chopin. Obviously he isn’t kicking around in physical form, but in Warsaw his music is alive and well. Actually, I need to back up a tad. Come to think of it, technically part of him does physically exist in Warsaw-his heart, which is buried in a church across from the University. Nevertheless, Chopin is as much as a symbol of the Polish nation as any national hero can be anywhere on the planet. They named the airport after him! We’re talking John Wayne status.

Kidding aside, what’s even better is that his music is just as beloved everywhere else in the world as it is here in Poland. Therefore, it’s your loss if you have never taken the time to enjoy his music. Also, if you are not a classical music fan, then listening to Chopin might actually make you one. Moreover, if you are a music lover, but haven’t had the pleasure to listen to his amazing piano creations, then you should at least pick up a CD.

What would be even better though, if you find yourself here during the summer you could treat yourself to one of the free Chopin concerts in Lazienki Park? If you haven’t had the chance, there is still time until the 25th of September. The performances are at 12:00, and 4pm. If the weather disappoints, the music won’t. Even gazing at the imposing statue of Chopin next to the stage is an experience. If you can’t make it in time, there is a plethora of Chopin exhibits and concerts all over Warsaw this year to commemorate his 200th birthday.

Regardless, as free summer concerts go, this one was a pleasant surprise. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a summer afternoon in a European capital than listening to Chopin concertos and lazing in the sun. It was definitely a few notches up the proverbial musical staff than the disappointing Orange Festival in Warsaw last week. In grading, Chopin received an A sharp, but alas many would give the Orange Festival an F minor. Anyway,that is neither here nor there. As an extra FYI, please enjoy the video posted below of the free concert we went to last month.

And, if you want, you can check out the concerts here online: www.koncertychopinowskie.pl




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A City in Ruins

Imagine going on a fly-along in 1945 over the Vistula River after Warsaw was obliterated b y the Germans. Picture to yourself the sight before you of an entire horizon of decimated and ruined buildings. The wreckage itself is a potent reminder of the harsh realities of war. Worse, is the reality that the city which was home to 1.3 million residents just before the war, was left with approximately 1000 survivors after the war.

Today, I saw for myself how the end of World War II unfolded in Poland. A current exhibit at the Warsaw Uprising Museum is showcasing a 3D film of aerial footage of Warsaw after it was annihilated by the Germans in 1945. For 7 zlotys you can see it too. The film’s footage is essentially a recreation of Warsaw in 3D. The city which was meticulously recreated, gives on the feeling of being on a sweeping flyover in the past. For five minutes you see nothing but a crumbled mass of a once thriving capital. The film, despite being short, is effective at proving as a grim reminder of the destruction caused in Warsaw.

The result of the destruction is rooted in the Warsaw uprising, and the Russia’s failure to help the Polish Army in attacking the occupying Nazi’s. On August 1st 1944, the Polish Home Army launched a strategic attack on the occupying Nazi army, while hoping the approaching Soviet Army would relieve some of the burden on the Poles to the strong opposition of the Nazi’s. However, despite waiting on the opposite bank of the Vistula River for some time, the Soviet Army refused to intervene until the Germans completely destroyed Warsaw.

After the war, Warsaw was in ruins. The Soviet Army occupied Warsaw, and Poland, and thus, the beginning of Poland’s division from the West. It’s hard to imagine now sitting in a Starbucks just a few meters from the museum, how much has actually changed in such a short time. Speaking of modernity, here's the link to the trailer posted on Youtube. Also, take a peek at some of the photos I took during my brief visit to the museum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHYo8HBTHVA

Touristy but Must Re-visit!

Maybe it is because of the fact that I have been living in Warsaw for the last year, that I wasn’t initially prepared for the intensity of the tourist commotion transpiring in front of my own eyes throughout the tourist center of Krakow. I felt like I was in another country. Who were these people selling sight-seeing tours of the city center? What were those convivial electronic cars zooming between the square and Wawel Castle? How did all of these British and Spanish tourists end up here? How come Warsaw doesn’t have a tourist information office on each of the four corners corner of the square? Warsaw has visitors in droves, but where are the tourists?

Warsaw is a city with its share of foreigners, but is lacking the no nonsense, picture snapping, and bustle so familiar in Krakow. Yes! Ironically, Krakow is less than half the size of Warsaw, yet for swallowing tourists, it has become a city with an ever expanding waist line. Despite the fact that there is a rather large congregation of tourists in the city-center of Krakow these days, it still doesn’t spoil the fact that it is indeed a grand historical and majestically stunning city worthy of spending at least few days taking in the wonders of this charming 12th Century European settlement.

If you've met me you know it's true that there aren’t many things I can attest to, however, I have spent a lot of time in Krakow and after seeing it grow in popularity over the last decade I am able to impart some information to you. You should be here too. Even back in 2002 Krakow wasn’t a secret. The city was full of tourists. Unlike Warsaw, the city survived the war, then after 1989 the iron curtain rusted and collapsed; tempting folks from all walks of life to venture unreservedly and discover the once mysterious post soviet world and inevitably becoming bewitched by Krakow.

As I’ve said Krakow is no secret, nonetheless it needn’t be. It is true however that I am neither historian nor travel expert, yet am a creature who has resided in Poland long enough to have a feel for the different towns and cities here. That being said, if you are a bloke like me who has settled here for a time, and are thinking weather Krakow is worth visiting despite the huge amount of tourist interest, I can at least offer you some piece of mind, and urge you to waste little time and hop on an express train while the weather is hot, and the day light is long.

This is Poland, right? As Krakow offers the best of Poland, it’s a foregone conclusion that there is at the very least a magnificent square, with a surplus of cafes and restaurants lining the square beckoning visitors of all walks of life to soak up the summer while it’s here. This is what I like anyway- bathing in the ambiance of cities, (and sipping a few cold zywiec.) At the very least if you are anything remotely like me in the sense that you have been living in Poland for a while, and possess a tendency to duck out of the tourist traps, you still need to hop on your high horse and visit Krakow. Touristy places exist here, but so do some of the most important historical sites in the entire world.

Even if you are a lifer expat in Poland who isn't interested in crowds, and who has already walked down Ulica Florianska whilst being prone to strong bouts of tourist apprehensiveness, Krakow is still worth a second or third visit. Besides, you're in Poland, it isn't January, and the sun is shining. Time is of the essence this summer! What are you waiting for?

An Easy Boycott!

Last week during an NGO lecutre, the topic of Greenpeace protesting Nestle because of their choice of location for procuring palm oil to add to their chocolate came up. If there is anyone who is an avid fan of devouring both white and dark chocolate forms of kitkat, it would be me. Nevertheless, a thought dawned on me that day that I had never formally boycotted any product. So with a gusto, I officially withdrew myself from consuming thier chocolate products. I conveniently switched to non-nestle brands in Poland*

Luckilly, I came across an article today that the monkeys' will be given a break in the amazon, while Nestle conducts palm oil purchases elsewhere! Say what you will about Greenpeace, I'll be enjoying my KittKat's again!

*Another decadent, gooey chocolate found in Poland is the famous Lion Bar..it's Nestle

Liberty in North Korea Presentation Links!

The first link is a one hour presenation from 2008, the second is a two minute news boradcast. The third link is the link to the link website-that's three links for link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms4NIB6xroc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaktifOSPM

http://www.linkglobal.org/

Thoughts about April in Poland

April was a difficult time in Poland. A plane carrying 96 Polish citizens crashed in Russia. On the plane were; their president, top generals, the head of the central bank, key politicians, advisors, religious leaders, cultural figures, pilots, and flight attendants. They were on a plane to commemorate a sad moment in Polish history. Sadly, in a way, it seemed like a cruel joke, but there is no punch-line it really happened.

The crash initiated a spontaneous outpouring of grief. Polish citizens came out in the tens of thousands of all ages with flowers and candles to lay at the presidential palace. This marked off a weeklong period of mourning, which sparked a flood of citizens to lay tribute to the victims. An ensuing media circus circulated around Warsaw day and night, flags hung over buildings at half mast (two black flags blew in front of the gates of the University,) and the world gave its condolences as the international arena was respectively at a loss for words.

Poland is a nation that has had a lot of misfortune historically. In recent times things had been going well here. Yet, there was an unusually long cold winter this year, and this event happened just as it was getting into spring. It was like the gods were not over with handing down to Poland unwanted and unfortunate news.

Despite this, looking over the past month, I must admit I am impressed to see how well this nation has dealt with this tragedy. So much has already been reported, analyzed, updated, and cited. Yet, as visitor to Poland living through this, I would like to humbly add how impressed I am at how a relatively large European nation has been able to get back on its feet and show amazing resilience.

On a human level, it’s unfathomable to lose so many people in such a sudden manner. The memory of the victims will always be enshrined in Polish history. Yet Poland has always been regarded as a strong nation, and the strength comes from its people. After this catastrophe, the nation is as strong as ever.

Something Strange on my Neck

A short while ago I popped outside to pick up a couple of bottles of water from the shop on the corner. I took the necessary February precautions one would take in Warsaw by putting on my thick jacket, scarf,gloves, punctuated by a woolly hat. Even for me, it has almost become a reflex before opening the front door. If you have been living here like me for the last two months you would understand. You see, this winter has brought an incredible amount of snow.

There has been so much of it falling from the sky, that it has been regarded by many as one of the heaviest snowfalls in Warsaw in a generation. I can attest to it as well. Garbage cans have been buried in single evenings, park benches have gone missing, cars have been fishtailing in a manner not unsimilar to automobiles climbing steep mountain passes in the winter, the floors of buses have ceased to be cleaned and are all covered by muddy slop left over from our snow absorbed boots. Despite this unprecedented level of sloshiness, it came as a huge shock to me that when I ventured outside today, I didn't feel snow on my neck, but something at the same time familiar, but completely different-rain. Can you believe it? It seems that the temperature has done something that hasn't happened in a few months around here; gone above zero centigrade. Anyway, it seems like spring is a possibility-even in these parts. Now I just have to find my raincoat.