This web site was updated on: September 1^st, 2010

Polish Conductor at Conner Prairie


By Danuta Pietrzak

Krzysztof Urbański, a very talented and dynamic young Polish conductor, graduate of Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw in 2007, inaugurated the 29^th Symphony on the Prairie season Saturday, June 19, 2010. The program opened with Ludwig van Beethoven's “Overture to Egmont” Opus 84, the incidental music to Goethe's drama “Egmont” the fight for justice and national liberty of famous Flemish warrior Count Egmont (1522-1568), against the despotic Duke of Albe, the Spanish invader. The next music masterpiece was Bedrich Smetana's “The Moldau”. It is a patriotic symphonic poem portraying the river, which rises in the Sumava forest and flows through the Bohemian countryside and the city of Prague before joining the River Elbe. Than a 2010 Michael Ben and Illene Komisarov Maurer Young Musicians Contest winner Austin Huntington, a 15-year-old cellist from South Bend, a featured soloist of the concert, performed Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo Theme" Opus 33 with the orchestra. A 20 minute piece played so lyrically and expressively by this prodigy virtuoso without pause was rewarded by the audience with a standing ovation.

It was a picture perfect day at Conner Prairie. A feature Mussorgsky-Ravel’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”, performed when the sun was setting behind the orchestra and the moon was rising made for an unforgettable impression. The young maestro, who conducted mainly from memory, captivated the audience with the elegance of his movements, skill and precision of how he shaped dramaturgy and nuances of music expression as well as the sublime sound of the Orchestra under his baton.

Last April, during his first visit to Indianapolis Krzysztof Urbański conducted “Little Suite” by Witold Lutosławski (a first for the orchestra) and “New World Symphony” by Anton Dworak. The conductor dedicated that concert to the memory of Poland’s leaders killed in a plane crash near Smoleńsk a week earlier.

Prior to the concert the group of listeners from the Polish Cultural Society who attended the concert at Conner Prairie were recognized by the announcer. Later some of our members had a chance to talk to Maestro Urbanski and his wife. One of the founding members of the Polish Cultural Society, who hosted Krzysztof Urbański in April, in response to the question if we are going to see this great conductor again said “Let’s keep our fingers crossed”.

Tragedy & Remembrance


By Ewa Orlik

Polish President, Lech Kaczyński, his wife, some of Poland’s highest military and civilian leaders died on Saturday, April 10, 2010 in a plane crash. The presidential plane crashed as it came in for landing during thick fog in western Russia, killing all 96 on board. The Polish Delegation was traveling to commemorate the 70^th Anniversary of the massacre in the Katyń forest where nearly 22 thousand Polish officers and intellectuals were killed by the Soviet secret police. The plane crashed 12 miles from the site that the mass killings took place in April of 1940.

Poland united in the outpouring of grief at this unprecedented national loss. People around the world demonstrated their support for the mourning nation. The Polish Cultural Society of Indiana held a mass, organized by Aleksandra & Kazimierz Olewicz, on Saturday, April 17, at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis for the victims of the crash and those that were murdered 70 years ago.

The family of Eva Orlik, one of the members of our Society, was affected directly by the Katyń massacre 70 years ago. Please read Eva’s reflections here.

Help for Maciej Żurawski


A member of the Polish community in Indianapolis, Maciej Żurawski, has been recently shot in the back by burglars, and is paralyzed from waist down. The news story about his accident can be found here.

His friends are trying to raise as much money as possible for his medical needs. They organized a charity golf tournament on May 7^th 2010 at South Grove Golf Course on 1:00 p.m. in Indianapolis. They were looking for people to play at $100 per person, for business owners to sponsor holes (18) at $300 per sponsor, and for companies to donate box lunches, drinks, prizes etc.

PCSI had sponsored one hole.

Moreover, a benefit fund has been set up at Huntington Bank.

Donations can be made in the form of a check, payable to the Maciej Zurawski Benefit Fund.
Please indicate in the memo if the check is a regular donation, or intended for the golf fundraiser.
The check can be mailed to:

Reflections after Christmas Eve Supper Wigilia

By Danuta Pietrzak

The traditional Polish "Wigilia" - Christmas Eve Celebration started with a first star appearing on the sky on December 5^th 2009 at the Latvian Center in Indianapolis. The grand room, beautifully decorated with candle lights, table centerpieces ,Christmas tree, and winter tree motives at the stage has contributed to the festive atmosphere of this memorable evening.

Our special guest, Father Jacek from the Franciscan Order in Muenster, Indiana has read the passages from the Scripture and has reflected on the meaning of Christmas.

Kasia Kill, the vice president of PCS has talked about the importance of Christmas tradition and has made the remark that to the Poles the Polish Christmas carols are the most beautiful in the world. We undoubtedly have got convinced about that during the stunning performance of our guests - great performing artists Kimberly and Michael Pietranczyk, as well as our own artist Aleksandra Olewicz, who also led us in singing of the Polish Christmas carols. Kimberly Pietranczyk very beautifully sung two solo songs in polish language, which is not an easy language to learn in just a few days.

Breaking the "Opłatek", a traditional wafer bread with other 110 people present at the event has been a deeply moving moment. Best wishes of good health, success in upcoming year have been shared with everybody in the room.

The "Wigilia" dinner, which traditionally is a meatless meal was a culinary masterpiece. At the end of the evening each of the members of the PCS who participated in the food and other preparations was called to the stage by Irmina Gradus-Pizło, the president of PCI and introduced with the name of the course or the event element prepared.

There has been also a surprise visit by the Santa, in polish tradition called St. Nicholas. He has let the children sit on his lap and has gifted them with the presents . Sonia Gaweł has taken the commemorative pictures of the kids with the Santa. After the event has ended a group of children spontaneously have taken the stage and have performed some more Christmas carols. The spirit of Christmas has definitely been there...

Great thanks to the board and members of PCSI for great food and decorations.

The Annual Meeting
.

The annual meeting of Polish CSI Members was held on November 22^th, 2009. During the meeting the Board of Directors was re-elected. We are happy to announce Board of Directors:

• President - Irmina Gradus-Pizło
• Vice President - Katarzyna Kill
• Secretary - Lech Bobowski
• Treasurer - Andrzej Orlik
• Board Members - Diane Filipowicz, Lidia Kędziora, Michał Misiurewicz, Magda Namysłowska, Ewa Orlik