College of Liberal Arts & SciencesUniversity of Florida

Polish Studies: Previous Events

4th Annual Polish Night:
 "Russia-Poland. New Gaze"

April 5, 2008 at 7:30pm in the Keene Faculty Center, Dauer Hall
Sponsors: Center for European Studies, Polish Student Association, Polish Cultural Institute

On April 5, 2008, the Center for European Studies with the Polish Student Association and the Polish Cultural Institute sponsored a series of short documentary films that were part of an innovative experiment in international understanding called Russia-Poland: New Gaze. Films were introduced by Dr. Ewa Wampuszyc and Russian faculty Galina Rylkova. Following the films, mingling at the reception was accompanied by Regina Kozhina playing accordion. [flyer]


Third Annual Celebration of Polish Culture:
 "From Chopin to Preisner:
   An Evening of Polish Classical and Art Music"

April 14, 2007 at 7:00pm in the Keene Faculty Center, Dauer Hall
Sponsors: Center for European Studies, Polish Student Association

On April 14, 2007, the Center for European Studies, along with the Polish Student Association (PSA) produced the program "From Chopin to Preisner: An Evening of Polish Classical and Art Music." This was the third Polish culture celebration organized by Dr. Ewa Wampuszyc and Dr. Christopher Caes. Pieces by Polish composers were interpreted by School of Music students on piano, violin, and flute. A local string quartet performed as well. Doctoral student Christopher Cary spoke about the composers and the temper of Polish music from the early 19th century to the present. A visit from former CLAS Dean Sullivan capped short speeches by CES Director Dr. Amie Kreppel, Drs. Wampuszyc and Caes, and PSA President Basia Andraka, who each delivered part of his or her speech in Polish. Dr. Kreppel asked the audience, "Can you say this? 'W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie, i Szczebrzeszyn z tego słynie.'" A reception followed. Paintings by Joanna Lis who is minoring in European Studies were displayed. At 130, attendance was higher than expected. [flyer]


Second Annual Celebration of Polish Culture:
 "Solidarność: 25th Anniversary"

April 1, 2006 at 1:00pm in the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
Sponsors: Polish Student Association, Polish American Club of Sarasota, Volunteers for International Student Affairs (VISA)

The second annual celebration of Polish Culture at the University of Florida took place on April 1, 2006 at the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. The goal of this year's celebration was to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Poland's Solidarity Movement, as well as to mark the second academic year of the Polish Studies program at UF. As part of the Polish Culture celebration, the organizers had the honor of hosting Dr. Andrzej Rabczenko of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. As one of the eyewitnesses of the Solidarity Movement, Dr. Rabczenko stressed the need for Polish studies in the US to begin with the "big questions" - such as, for example, human and civic rights - and only then to discuss the Polish experience as an example or model of action. He highlighted the relevance of this non-violent movement to the broader global context. 1st Annual Polish Night Celebration - April 16, 2005: "Celebrating the EU" [flyer]

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First Annual Polish Night:
 "Celebrating The European Union!"

April 16, 2005 at 7:30pm-9:00pm in the Keene Faculty Center, Dauer Hall
Sponsors: Center for European Studies, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies, Polish Student Association

On April 16, 2005, the Polish Studies Program and the Polish Student Association (PolSkA) of the University of Florida held the First Annual Polish Night, "Celebrating the EU!," at the Keene Faculty Center. The goal of the event was manifold: to commemorate the first anniversary of Poland's entry into the European Union on May 1st, to celebrate the first academic year of an official Polish Studies Program at UF, and to foster contact and cooperation between the UF academic community and Florida's Polonia - in other words, the Polish diaspora. As part of Polish Night, CES/GSS had the honor of hosting Ms. Anna Pankiewicz of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. Ms. Pankiewicz is Second Secretary of the Political Division responsible for transatlantic relations. Speaking on Polish foreign policy in light of EU membership, Ms. Pankiewicz pointed out the extraordinary fact that among Polish citizens living and voting in Florida, the referendum on Poland's entry into the EU passed by 97%. Polish Studies Faculty member Dr. Ewa Wampuszyc presented a reflection on two of Poland's most important 20th-century intellectual, cultural and spiritual leaders who died during the 2004-2005 academic year: the poet and Nobel laureate Czeslaw Milosz and Karol Wojtyla - Pope John Paul II. [flyer]

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