Polish Weekly - Alicja Karlic

08/10/2025

Polish Radio, citing reports from the Spanish sports daily "AS," has reported that Chinese sources may have obtained data on brainwave activity from athletes, including Poland's tennis player Iga Świątek, and used it for military purposes.

Polish Radio, citing reports from the Spanish sports daily "AS," has reported that Chinese sources may have obtained data on brainwave activity from athletes, including Poland's tennis player Iga Świątek, and used it for military purposes.

08/10/2025

Democrats opposed Rose’s nomination in committee and on the floor, but the GOP majority prevailed in the full Senate.

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Thomas Rose as ambassador to Poland in a 51–47 party-line vote, approving him within a package containing more than 100 nominations.

08/10/2025

07/10/2025

At the Filareci Gala, I met above all the members of the choir — those who not only continue to sing, but who inscribe history through song.
In the welcome delivered by President Zdzisław Foryś, I also encountered those who once led — former conductors. Among them was one who is no longer with us and yet was unmistakably present: the late Władysław Budweil. Since 1966, Mr. Budweil — organist at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church in Hamtramck, a gifted musician and conductor — took the helm of the Filareci—a man of passion, discipline, and a profound understanding of music as a service. Under his direction, the Filareti recorded their first album, "Polish Songs of God and Fatherland"(1966), to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of Christianity in Poland.
At the Gala, his name returned — not as an echo, but as a presence. Spoken with reverence and gratitude.
Among the former conductors who attended the 90th anniversary celebration were David Troiano–Olszewski, Kazimierz Brzozowski, Piotr Szawiela, and the current conductor, Mr. Jacek Kasjan. Robert Barnhart, conductor of the former Women's Filareci Choir, also took part in the Gala.
It's worth recalling that the Club Filareci in Detroit was founded in 1935 with the motto "Homeland – Science – Virtue," and its primary goal was to spread Polish culture in the hearts of American youth of Polish descent through the spoken word, theater, song, and music. These words, written ninety years ago, may sound old-fashioned. Yet, all you need to do is listen to a Polish song—both patriotic and lyrical, a ditty, a carol, and the one in which "Polish flowers are most beautiful," and many others... Every self-respecting nation cultivates its culture. A group of passionate singers in metro Detroit keeps Polish song alive!
At the Gala, I also met a large group of Filaret Club friends who joined in celebrating this beautiful anniversary. Some of them were photographed.
Alicja

07/10/2025

🎬 The AAPFF Jury Has Spoken!

This year, our jurors watched 73 films — 40 short films and 33 documentaries — a total of 2,044 minutes (that’s over 34 hours of Polish cinema!). They had a tough job choosing just five outstanding titles in each category for the festival competition.

Making the final choice wasn’t easy, but we believe each of the selected films has something unique to offer our audience and will not leave viewers indifferent. These works are diverse in theme and form, yet they all speak about important issues and stir emotions.

🏆 The selected competition films will be shown this November during the 32nd Ann Arbor Polish Film Festival. We’ll find out which ones take home the awards soon — in just a few weeks! 🇵🇱🎞️

07/10/2025

As an Arts competition juror, Professor Martin Zane Skalski – a renowned sculptor and art professor – did more than evaluate the works. He invited the audience to participate in the process of creating the sculpture. With one of his sculptures as a focal point and a handful of props, he transformed the gallery into a living studio, demonstrating the process of creating a sculpture.

In a moment that blurred the line between discussing art and existential inquiry, Professor Skalski addressed the question of life's meaning. His answer, filled with humor and humility, reminded us that art doesn't answer such questions – it sustains them. It gives them shape, weight, and sometimes silence.

07/10/2025

💫 One act of kindness changed everything. Yours can too. 💫

In 1910, a young Polish student Stefan Mierzwa stood at Ellis Island—just $9 short of the fee needed to start a new life in America. A friend lent him the money.

That small gesture changed the course of his life.

Stefan went on to found the Kosciuszko Foundation, and with it, created opportunities for thousands through education, cultural exchange, and community support. Since 1925, the Foundation has empowered talent and strengthened ties between Poland and the United States.

🌍 From one act of kindness came nearly a century of impact. Now, as we celebrate 100 years, you can help write the next chapter.

🎯 Join the KF Centennial Campaign and help us double our scholarship offerings—so even more students can pursue their dreams, just like Stefan Mierzwa once did.

🕊️ Your gift today will help shape the next century of leaders, artists, and scholars.

👉 Donate now: https://thekf.org/centennial-anniversary-fundraising-campaign/

07/10/2025

06/10/2025

"Grammatically, a “Polish American” culture is the value system and traditions of people of Polish descent residing in the US. This could include certain traditions and values observed by Polish-Americans, but not necessarily the same ones that are part of the Polish culture coming from Poland. For example, one could say that things like polka dancing, or an obsession with kielbasa and pierogi, or meeting at a corner bar could be part of the Polish-American culture, but these things are not part of Polish culture."

American Polish Cultural Society, Chopiniana Banquet, Troy, September 28, 2025 Witam Pana, Panie Prezesie,Witam Pana Konsulu,Witam wielebnych księży i siostry zakonne,Witam Szanownych Państwa.Dziękuję za przywilej wypowiedzenia kilku słów z okazji...

06/10/2025

FPA President Brian Malski opened the event with a brief history of the competition, which started in 1985 as the FPA Kubinski Fine Arts Competition.

06/10/2025

FPA Fine Art Competition makes a strong and beautiful comeback at the Galeria

Around 80 people gathered at the Galeria at the Orchard Lake Schools on Sunday afternoon to celebrate and honor the artists and the art at the opening reception of the 29th Friends of Polish Art (FPA) Fine Arts Competition. Upon entering the gallery space they were treated to a brilliant variety of colors, media and themes.

The walls of the Galeria were lined with 74 striking art pieces, created by 21 talented Metropolitan Detroit artists representing different generations. The exhibition included oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, watercolors, small sculptures and objects, digital photographs and prints, embroidery, head scarfs and costumes.

Also on display at the Galeria was a glass case filled with memorabilia from previous FPA competitions, including old programs and photos of the winners, a couple of whom, Len Zabawski and Henry Tyszka, were spotted in the audience.

FPA President Brian Malski opened the event with a brief history of the competition which started in 1985 as the FPA Kubinski Fine Arts Competition. Over the years the competition, which first was intended only for artists of Polish descent, has evolved and now it allows all artists in the community to participate and display their artwork. Nevertheless, many art pieces entered into the competition this year reflected broadly understood Polish themes and cultural values: strong evidence that the organizers achieved their goal of promoting Polish culture and heritage. Also carrying on the competition’s legacy is one of the main awards, given for the “Best Polish Theme”. This year the award, funded by the Polish Institute of Culture & Research, went to Ann Marie Curley, for her evocative oil painting Poletown: Song, Procession, Protest.

Speaking on the behalf of FPA Brian Malski also expressed deep gratitude to the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake (PICROL) for partnering with FPA in organizing the competition. Without this partnership, the competition, which was dormant for ten years, would have not been possible.

Next on the program was a short talk by the competition juror, Martin Zane Skalski, art professor and sculptor. Showing one of his sculptures and using some props, Professor Skalski in a very engaging way described his creative process and took some questions from the audience (including a question about meaning of life!). While answering a question from Grace Leonard, Skalski gave some advice to young artists. The advice could be summarized as follows: do not expect quick results, as it takes a lot of hard work and time to create good art. Skalski also complimented Elijah Majeski, the OLS Galeria manager, and one of the main organizers of the show, for his superb job arranging and hanging the artwork.

Then the time came to announce the winners of the competition. Brian Malski (FPA), together with Alina Klin (FPA), Elijah Majeski (PICROL), Ania Bieciuk (PICROL) and John Radzilowski (PICROL) did the honors. While accepting the awards the delighted artists gave short speeches and then mingled with the guests during the reception.

Ania Bieciuk, PICROL Director of Polonia Affairs, took care of the libations and sumptuous hors d'oeuvres served at the reception. In her closing remarks she invited everybody to upcoming events organized by PICROL.

FPA and PICROL congratulate all the artists whose art is in the show, especially the following award winners:

Nancy Kozlowski, for Rzepak, 2020, awarded the Best in Show - FPA Richard Kubiński Award ($500.00),
Ann Marie Curley, for Poletown: Song, Procession, Protest, 2025, awarded the Best Polish Theme - Polish Institute of Culture & Research Award ($400.00),
Terry Nagle, Detroit River Plant #1, 2024, awarded the First Place - FPA Marcia Lewandowski Award ($400.00),
Agnieszka Przyborowski, for Poodle (Self-portrait), 2021, awarded the Second Place - FPA Raymond Okonski Award ($300.00),
Karolina Spiewak, for Sacrifice, 2023, awarded the Third Place - FPA B. John Surma Award ($200.00),
Grace Leonard, for Polska 6105: Tożsamość w Ruchu, 2025, awarded the FPA Honorable Mention in Memory of Jacqueline Kolowski ($100.00),
Alexander Clegg, for Election Day, 2024, awarded the FPA Honorable Mention in Memory of Mary Ellen Tyszka ($100.00),
Kathy Phillips, for Kites, 2022, awarded the FPA Honorable Mention in Memory of Wanda Gongola ($100.00).

The FPA awards commemorate deceased members of FPA, known for their dedicated work for the organization and for Polonia.

Big thanks to all the artists, attendees and the juror Martin Skalski for making the competition and the opening so remarkable.

The 29th Friends of Polish Art Fine Arts Post-Competition exhibit is on display at the Galeria to November 16.

Text: Alina Klin
Photos: Alicja Karlic and Alina Klin

06/10/2025

Gratulacje!

📚🇵🇱 Writer 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮 𝗞𝗮̨𝗰𝗸𝗮 has been awarded the 𝗡𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲, Poland’s most prestigious literary distinction, for her book “𝗪𝗰𝘇𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗷 𝗯𝘆ł𝗮𝘀́ 𝘇ł𝗮 𝗻𝗮 𝘇𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗼” (“Yesterday You Were Angry in Green”).

✨📖 The novel explores a 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿, offering a deeply human and intimate perspective.

🗣💬 The judging panel praised the work as “𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆” that connects “𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹.”

➡ Check the first comment for more details!