Video Interview

05 January 2011

Chopin Evening Gala- A Night to Remember

26 August 2010

The Chopin Evening Gala, hosted by the Polish Mission of Orchard Lake Schools, in cooperation with the Chopin Foundation of the United States was held on Saturday, August 21, 2010. It was an evening of music, culture, and wonderful food. “The Chopin Evening Gala was a great success,” said Marcin Chumiecki, Director of the Polish Mission. “This magnificent event was just the first, in a series of concerts and events that will be taking place on our campus in the years to come.” The gala celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Poland’s most well-known and beloved composer, Fryderyk Chopin. A portion of the proceeds is being donated to the Flood Relief Effort in Poland organized by Caritas Krakow under the supervision of Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz.

The Chopin Evening Gala Reception began at 5 p.m. in the lower level of the Adam Cardinal Maida Alumni Library. The Polish Mission is especially grateful to the wonderful sponsors of the evening which included: the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago; Moët Hennessy USA (www.mhusa.com), the official distributer of Chopin Vodka in the United States (Thank you, David Gingras); Oakland MRI (www.oaklandmri.com) Providing An Accurate Picture of your Health; and the PAC Federal Credit Union in Troy (www.pacfcu.com). The Chopin Evening Gala would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of Mrs. Caryn Noel, Director of Adam Cardinal Maida Alumni Library and all of the volunteers. The event programs were designed and printed by Mrs. M. Cecelia Materka. Advertising was courtesy of Mrs. Eugenia Gorecki.

The centerpiece of the reception room was a masterpiece—a long, beautifully adorned table, offering delicious food with exquisite flower arrangements. Guests sampled the delectable caviar and salmon hors d'oeuvres and satisfied their sweet tooth with homemade chocolate-rum truffles and pastries. The tantalizing catering and sophisticated decorations were undertaken by Barbara Lisiecki, with the help of Alexandra Lisiecki and Barbara Owczarski. The theme was enhanced with a lovely mural of the Chopin monument in Lazienki Park, Warsaw painted by Andrzej Ladak (on loan from the Polanie Dance Group). The Chopin Vodka display was donated by Moët Hennessy.

The honorary guest of the evening was the Chicago Consul General of Poland Zygmunt Matynia and his wife Bozena Matynia. Other guests included: Mrs. Peggy Grant, widow of famous Polish artist and Holocaust survivor, Adam Grochowski; Mrs. Henrietta Need, sister of Dr. Edward Wikiera of the Edward And Josephine Wikiera Foundation; Rick Forzano, former Detroit Lions and U.S. Naval Academy coach; Francis Sehn, founder of The Fran Sehn Company; Susan Sheahan, long-time general manager of Orchard Lake Country Club and current Director of Food & Beverages at the prestigious Union League Club in Chicago; Bruce Babiarz, one of Michigan’s top Marketing and Public Relations practitioners (President of BAB Associates); R.J. King, the editor of dbusiness magazine; and Dr. Lucia Zamarano, developer of revolutionary computer image guided neurosurgical techniques and one of the top neurosurgeons in the world.

During the reception, guests viewed the Katyn Forest Massacre, Politics, and Morality exhibit sponsored by The Council to Protect the Memory of Combat and Martyrdom. The exhibit consists of 28 large vertical panels containing recently released photographs and archival material of the Katyn Forrest Massacre. The exhibit is currently on display at two locations until August 31, 2010—the Adam Cardinal Maida Alumni in Orchard Lake and the Hamtramck Public Library.

The Chopin Evening Gala Recital featured Claire Huangci, world-renowned concert pianist and winner of the 2010 National Chopin Piano Competition. Chancellor Rev. Timothy Whalen extended a warm welcome to the Shrine Chapel audience. Marcin Chumiecki, Polish Mission Director, thanked all those who made the Chopin Evening Gala possible. Huangci’s performance was breathtaking! Her repertoire included: Beethoven’s Rondo e capriccio Op.129, Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major, Ballade No. 1, Ballade No. 2, Ravel’s La Vaise, and Balakirev’s Islamey. Her performance received a standing ovation.

Constitution of May 3, 1791

01 July 2010

Constitution of May 3, 1791

Alexandra Lisiecki

Holy Mass, festivals, patriotic assemblies, colorful parades, banquets, flag-raisings, wreath-layings, exhibitions at schools and public libraries, concerts, lectures and symposia were just some of the ways that I observed Poland's  national holiday of the May 3^rd Constitution Day while being a master's student of the Jagiellonian University of Krakow.  But what exactly is this holiday? And why should a fifth generation Polish-American, such as myself, even bother to honor an event that happened over two hundred years ago in what seems for most to be a far-off and distant land? The answer is simple - PRIDE.

Poland has an immensely glorious past. Once a multi-national Commonwealth stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, Poland was one of the most powerful countries in Europe in its heyday. May 3^rd Constitution Day has traditionally been considered to be one of the most significant patriotic Polish celebrations of the year. This day commemorates the signing the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, which is recognized universally as Europe's first and the world's second "modern codified national constitution." Interestingly enough, it shares some common features with the Constitution of the United States and Poland's reforming King Stanisław August Poniatowski said that the Polish Constitution was "founded principally on those of England and the United States and .... adapted as much as possible to the local and particular circumstances of the country."

Although not soon enough to prevent the Partitions, the Constitution of May 3, 1791 was designed specifically in order for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to remedy its long-standing political defects brought on by the centuries of the nobleman's proverbial "Golden Freedom."  Some of its other features were:  establishment a constitutional monarchy and restoration of a hereditary throne (so neighboring countries could not buy royal elections); recognition of religious freedom and property rights; and the extension of civic rights and the franchise of the nobility (szlachta) to the townspeople, and the placement of the peasants under government protection. Most importantly, the Constitution banned the very controversial liberum veto by which ONE deputy could block legislation passed by the Sejm (i.e. Polish parliament).

Unfortunately the Constitution came too late. It was in effect for only a year, before being overthrown during the Russo-Polish War of 1792 by Russian armies allied with the Targowica Confederation. However, it was still highly regarded and Edmund Burke described it "the noblest benefit received by any nation at any time... Stanislaus II has earned a place among the greatest kings and statesmen in history." It was declared a holiday on May 5, 1791, but was banned three times i.e. during the partitions of Poland,  during World War II by Nazi and Soviet occupiers, as well as, after 1946 by the Communist People's Republic of Poland (where it was renamed, The Day of the Democratic Party). Constitution Day was officially restored in 1990 after the fall of Communism. The Catholic Church celebrates the May Third anniversary as a Feast Day of Our Lady Queen of Poland.

On May 2, 2010, the J. Dabrowski Polish Language School and Polish Mission organized the annual Detroit May 3^rd Constitution Day commemoration on the beautiful campus of Orchard Lake Schools. The event was hosted by the very enigmatic director of the "Polish Mission" Marcin Chumiecki. The celebration was commenced with the angelic singing of the Polish and American national anthems by Krystyna Wallag. Present as always, were members of the Polish Scouting Organization (Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego), as well as, representatives of the numerous Michigan Polish organizations such as; Friends of Polish Art and Polish American Congress. An insightfully written and beautifully presented patriotic speech was delivered by Wladyslaw Bankowski. It moved the hearts of all there present. This was followed by a heartrending poem Katyn recited by Paulina Kowalczyk. A moment of silence was then observed for the victims of the April 10^th tragedy of in Smolensk. Next, an endearing performance titled Konstytucja 3 Maja was presented by the children of J. Dabrowski Polish Language School; followed by two stirring performances by the Polanie Dance Ensemble of the Polonez and Kujawiak dances. The biggest "crowd pleaser" was undeniably the violin performance of Tomasz Mikulski, with his unforgettable presentation of Witaj Majowa Jutrzenko, Polonez 1791, Bartoszu, and Poloniz Oginskiego. The guest of honor was Andrzej "Rocky" Raczkowski, runner of U.S. Congress in Michigan's 9^th District, who took time out of his very busy schedule in order to deliver an inspiring speech reiterating the importance of the May 3^rd Constitution and the significance of Katyn. His presence was greatly appreciated by all those in attendance. The celebration concluded with a Kawiarenka where all were able to enjoy refreshments. Afterward many attended the Polish Mass in the Shrine Chapel which was accompanied by the lovely singing of the Filaret choir.