Newsletter in English

POLISH NEWSLETTER
IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
NO. 4/ February 2013
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND IN SEOUL
FROM AMBASSADOR
Dear Readers,
2012 to strengthen Polish-Korean
Welcome to the fourth edition of
our Newsletter.
relations.
At the Busan International Film
Festival, one of the most important
Polish Embassy in Seoul was
supporting a lot of events which
took place during the last few
film festivals in Asia, there was a
special event held to promote Polish films.
months; now we are pleased to
present you some of the most
Another edition of photography
On a final note I would like to
important ones.
contest “Poland in the eyes of
wish our readers all the best in
Koreans” was held at Hankuk Uni-
New Lunar Year.
Undoubtedly the most exciting
was visit of Ms. Anna Komorowska, Polish First Lady
who came here in Autumn of
versity of Foreign Studies. PolishKorean families meeting was held
in order to discuss the multicultural issues.
IPO Summit Warsaw 2013
On 6th and 7th of June, Ministry of Treasury in cooperation with Warsaw Stock Exchange and National Depository for Securities organizes IPO Summit Warsaw 2013 – two-day conference about the challenges of global
financial markets.It is an event created for companies searching for capital and for investors from all over the
world to meet and talk about the capital market as well as to get to know each other and to develop their businesses.
Representatives of international banks and investment funds, representatives of foreign joint stock companies
interested in investing on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, international economic journalists, representatives of
public administration and economic diplomacy will participate.
In this issue:
IPO Summit Warsaw 2013………………………………..1
Koreans'………………………………………………..………….4
Polish First Lady's visit in the Republic of Korea….2
Films on Polish culture at India Space……………….….4
Polish-Korean families meeting………………………….2
The 4th Korea-EU Business Forum……………………….4
Polish representation at Special Olympics Pyeongchang 2013……………………………………………………..3
'Poland in close up' at the BIFF 2012……………………4
Extraordinary ceremony in MOFAT…………………….3
ALL ABOUT POLAND…………………………………………..5
Polish-Korean Business & Technology Cooperation
Forum……………………………………………………….…...3
Great Poles………..………………………………………………6
The 2nd Photo Contest - 'Poland in the eyes of
Visehrad Night at the PAMS 2012…………………………5
POLISH CUISINE…………………………………………………….6
2
Polish First Lady's visit to the Republic of Korea
First Lady of Poland Anna Komorowska came to visit Republic of Korea
on October 23, 2012 . On Wednesday, October 24 Mrs. Komorowska met her South Korean counterpart Kim Yoon-Ok. First Ladies were
talking about relations between the
two countries and Polish-Korean
cultural exchange.
In October there were about 20 cultural events organized in South Korea
to promote Poland and Polish culture. At this time in Warsaw the 1st
Korea Festival (Festiwal Kultury Koreańskiej) took place.
On Thursday 25th, 2012, the First
Lady of Poland participated in the
academic conference of the Three
East Asian Nations' Polish Studies
Association (Spotkania Polonistyk
Trzech Krajów, SPTK) at Hankuk
University of Foreign Studies
(HUFS). „The purpose of the conference is to exchange experience
related to teaching Polish as a second language and experience related to promoting Polish culture” said
Mrs. Komorowska in an interview
with PAP. Together with Polish Ambassador to Korea Krzysztof Majka
she made an opening address of the
conference. Then, the professors
from Poland, China, Japan and South Korea gave lectures regarding,
among others, poetry by Wisława
Szymborska and Janusz Korczak.
First Lady also had the opportunity to
see a performance on Janusz Korczak directed by students of the Polish Language Department at HUFS.
In the evening Mrs. Komorowska
participated in the Final of the 2nd
Asia-Pacific International Fryderyk
Chopin Piano Competition. 'It is a
perfect opportunity to promote the
Polish culture.' - she emphasized.
The 1st Asia-Pacific International
Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition
in Daegu was held in association with
the Polish Embassy in Seoul in 2009.
The Chancellery of the President
Later that day, Anna Komorowska
reminded that the purpose of the
met with members of the Pro Polonia
competition was to promote ChSociety (Towarzystwo Pro Polonia).
opin's music.
On Friday 26th she visited the Metropolitan Women's Center in Daegu as
well as students and professors at
the Daegu Keimyung University.
Daegu Metropolitan Women's Center
was established in 1989 and its main
concern is to organize courses for
women who wish to start their own
economic activity and courses for
women to improve professional qualifications so they may become more
competitive at the local market. Moreover, the Center of Help for Women Affected by Domestic Violence
was opened in 2012.
Polish-Korean families meeting
On Saturday, January 19, in the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in
Seoul a meeting organized together
by the Polish-Korean Families Association and the Embassy took place.
About 40 attendants were discussing
about the issues of multicultural fami-
lies in Korea. Polish-Korean Families
Association was established in 2007
and is customarily called Association
of 7736 (distance between Warsaw
and Seoul). Current information on
Association’s activities can be found
on Facebook profile “Polacy w Korei”.
3
Polish representation at Special Olympics Pyeongchang 2013
This year, in late January and early
February, the Special Olympics World
Winter Games took place for the 10th
time. The host city was South Korean
Pyeongchang, where contestants,
including Polish representation of 41
people, started arriving on January
26.
Polish team was chosen during 8th
Polish Special Olympics Winter Games in Wisla and Kielce.
Polish representation, which is detailed on www.specialolympics.org, came to Seoul at midday on January 26
and was greeted by the Ambasador of
the Republic of Poland in Seoul and
other embassy workers. After the meeting they went straight to the place of
Games. There, contestants could not
only rest and practice, but also explore Korean culture.
From January 29th to February 6th
our representation took part in five out
of eight events. The total number of
this year’s contestants was 2300 people from 127 countries.
The theme of this year’s Games was
“Together we can!” and its aim was to
change the attitude of society toward
people with intellectual disabilities
who are now the largest group among
people with disabilities. The Olympics
should contribute to raise worldwide
discussion which would improve the
social situation of those people and
help fighting the prejudices.
Extraordinary ceremony in MOFAT
On December 20th, official ceremony
of giving by MOFAT an exequatur to
the Prof. Synn Ilhi as a Polish Honorary Consul General did take place. The
fact that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade handed over the exequatur to the Prof. Ilhi by himself, was
exeptional and made the whole event
even more significant.
Honorary Consul General Prof. Synn
Ilhi is a founder of ProPolonia Association and President of Keimyung University in Daegu which
organised 2nd Asia International Cho-
pin Competition this year. At that
event Mrs. Anna Komorowska – Spouse of the President of the Republic of
Poland opened the finals.
Polish-Korean Business & Technology Cooperation Forum
The Polish Embassy together with its Trade and Investment Promotion Section held the Polish-Korean Business and
Technology Cooperation Forum in Seoul on December 11th, 2012. The Korea Importers Association – KOIMA was a
Korean partner involved in the event. Several dozen representatives of Korean companies, business associations,
research institutions and media participated in the Forum. During the event, the Catalogue of Polish Technologies
(Katalog Polskich Technologii) introducing possible areas of cooperation between Poland and Republic of Korea was
presented to Korean participants of the Forum. The Polish Ambassador to Korea Krzysztof Majka and the Vicepresident of KOIMA Kim Young-Mok made an opening address to the Forum. Afterwards, participants of the Forum
made presentations as follows:
- Mr. Grzegorz Rybarski, Counsellor of the Polish Embassy in Seoul (Poland - Gateway to EU for Korea);
- Mr. Karol Pęczak, Commercial Councellor and Head of Trade and Investment Promotion Section in the Polish Embassy (Poland - your best trade partner /Part I/ and Invest in Poland /Part II/);
- Mr. Tomasz Jan Jamróz, Representative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs - First Secretary (Polish-Korean co
-operation in science and technology as a tool to boost bilateral economic relations);
- Mr. Ahn, Byoung-Soo, Head of the KOIMA Import Research Institute (Practical aspects of trading under EU-Korea
Free Trade Agreement);
- Mr. Park, Kye-Young, Manager in the LG Chem (Doing Business with Poland - Korean perspective).
NO. 4/ February 2013
4
The 2nd Photo Contest - 'Poland in the eyes of Koreans'
The Embassy of Poland together
with the Polish Department at the
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) held the opening ceremony of the 2nd Photo Contest 'Poland in the eyes of Koreans' in
the Yongin campus of HUFS on December 12th, 2012. The Polish AmCONFERRING
bassador to Korea Krzysztof
Majka,
the Head of Polish Department prof.
Choi Sung-Eun (Estera), as well as
students of the Polish Department
participated in the ceremony. Winners of the Contest were awarded in
three categories: Nature, People and
Architecture.
Later during the event, winners of
the 2nd Speech Contest presented
K
NIGT’S in
CROSS
speeches
Polish on the topic 'Me riences and feelings referred to Poand Poland' concerning their expe- land and sang Polish carols.
'Focus on Polska' at the JIJF 2012
Between October 12th and 14th,
The Jarasum International Jazz Festival (JIJF) 2012 took place. This
year is the 9th edition of JIJF and
part of the Festival was constituted
by series of Polish jazz artists' performances under the common title
'Focus on Polska' JIJF is an annual
festival which is held on the picturesque Jara Island (Jara means Chinese softshell turtle) in the form of a
picnic. The JIJF is one of the most
well-known and popular jazz festivals in Korea. Its audience's passion, active support of the Jara Is-
land inhabitants and the unique atmosphere attract high class jazz
artists and give music fans an
opportunity to get to know with music of the highest standards. During
the JIJF jazz bands from all over the
world give performances on ten
different stages at the same time. In
addition, there are many accompanying events held by the JIJF like
workshops lead by invited jazz artists from various countries, as well
as Jarasum Jazz Train, Kid Jazz
Zone and others.
Four bands were representing Po-
land at the JIJF 2012 within the project 'Focus on Polska'. On October
12th and 13th two Polish bands of
an international reputation, Tomasz
Stańko Quartet and Maciej Obara
Quartet, gave performances on the
main stage. On October 13th Nikola
Kołodziejczyk's jazz trio, the Stryjo,
gave performance on the south stage (Festival Lounge) and at night
seven musicians from a raggamuffin
music band, the Senk Że, warmed
up the audience at the Party Stage.
The 4th Korea-EU Business Forum
Polish Ambassador to Korea Krzysztof Majka gave a keynote address
on 'Poland - Your Business Partner'
at the 4th Korea-EU Business Forum – Korea EU FTA and Its Impact
on Business in Busan on November
23rd, 2012.
In the keynote, inter alia, three main
topics were mentioned - EU-South
Korea Free Trade Agreement and its
implications to the structure of mer-
chandise trade (exports and imports) visited by businessmen, diplomats,
between Poland and South Korea, professors and students from local
Polish export to South Korea and its universities.
most growing areas and also possibilities of further trade development
between Poland and South Korea.
Commercial Councellor and the Head of Trade and Investment Promotion Section in the Embassy of Poland – Mr. Karol Pęczak participated
in the panel discussion. Forum was
'Poland in close up' at the BIFF 2012
An extensive presentation of Polish cinema entitled 'Poland in Close-Up' took place this autumn at one of the most
important film festivals in Asia, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). This year, BIFF was held from October
4th to 13th and was visited by thousands of viewers, critics and filmmakers from all over the world. In 2011 the Festival was attended by almost 200 000 participants, including 11 300 festival guests and 2500 media representatives. At the BIFF 2012 the audience had an opportunity to watch many Polish films and participate in numerous
accompanying events. Part of the program was a retrospective of ten Polish films from the years 1959-2012, entitled 'Poland in Close-up: The Great Polish Masters'. Apart from some latest productions, it also comprised the most
5
famous classics of Polish cinematography pieces including, among others, works by Krzysztof Kieślowski, Jerzy
Skolimowski, Wojciech Jerzy Has, Jerzy Kawalerowicz and
Andrzej Wajda. There was also a film workshop combined
with a lecture, carried out by Mr. Michał Chaciński, artistic
director of the Gdynia Film Festival. Some of the most famous Polish filmmakers, Agnieszka Holland, Krzysztof
Zanussi and Dorota Kędzierzawska, graced the event with
their presence as well. The culmination of the program
took place on October 7th, the 'Polish Day' at the Festival,
during which filmmakers' meetings with journalists and a
banquet on the occasion of the Polish presence in Busan
were held.
The presentation of Polish cinema at BIFF was organized in collaboration with Adam Mickiewicz Institute (Instytut
Adama Mickiewicza), Polish Embassy in Seoul and Polish Film Institute (Polski Instytut Sztuki Filmowej, PISF).
Visegrad Night at the PAMS 2012
During autumn 2012, Adam Mickiewicz Institute (Instytut Adama Mickiewicza) together with the Embassy of
Poland in Seoul participated in Performing Arts Market in Seoul
(PAMS), promoting Polish theater
and dance on its own exhibition
stand. PAMS is one of the largest
and most widely recognized performing arts fairs in Asia, held annually
in Korea. The 2012 edition of PAMS
spotlighted Central and Eastern European performing arts, which created a unique opportunity to mark
Poland presence at the festival.
The events were held under a joint
project of the Performing Arts Central
Europe - Visegrad Countries Focus
(PACE.V4), co-financed by the Visegrad Fund. As part of the showcase,
on October 11th, Poland presented
the performance 'In the Solitude of
Cotton Fields (Samotność pól bawełnianych)', an outstanding production
of the Stefan Żeromski Theatre in
Kielce (Teatr im. Stefana Żeromskiego), directed by Radosław Rychcik.
In discussions panel organized at
PAMS, among others, Piotr Gruszczyński, playwright associated with
Krzysztof Warlikowski's New Theatre
(Nowy Teatr) in Warsaw, and Grzegorz Reske, producer of the International Theatre Festival 'Theatrical
Confrontations (Międzynarodowy
Festiwal Konfrontacje Teatralne)' in
Lublin took part. The PACE.V4 also
hosted one of the PAMS' night
events, the 'Visegrad Night'. On
October 10th, artists from countries
representing the PACE.V4 played in
the Live Jazz Club located in the
heart of theatre and entertainment
Daehangno district. The evening
began with the concert of the Maciej
Obara Quartet, followed by the performance of Polish DJs of the Pompon group.
Apart from the Polish side, the Korea
Arts Management Service (KAMS)
and theater institutes from Czech
Republic, Slovakia and Hungary were the organizers of the events.
ALL ABOUT POLAND
ECONOMY

Poland is the largest economic partner for
Korea in Central Europe—the 5th largest
investment destination for Korean companies
in the EU.

There are around 150 Korean companies operating in Poland with investment value of
USD 1.6 billion.

Polish economy is the fastes grownig in Europe. We have not experienced GDI decrease
for more than 20 years.

Poland has one of the youngest society in the
EU with well-developed education facilities. Labor
cost in Poland is still relatively cheap.

Polish government offers numerous incentive
programmes for foreign investors inclding tax
exemptions as well as cash grants form European Union.

Poland as a EU member is a part of EU—Korea
FTA. Korean companies trading with Poland benefit from duty reductions.
POLISH NEWSLETTER IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
GREAT POLES
WITOLD ROMAN LUTOSŁAWSKI
Witold Roman
Lutosławski
one of the greatest Polish and
European composers, 25 January 1913 – 7
February 1994.
He studied composition and piano in Music Conservatory
in
W a r s a w
(Konserwatorium Muzyczne w Warszawie). His promising career was
interrupted by World War II. During this
years he earned living playing at bars
and cafes with his friend and well
known Polish composer, Andrzej Panufnik. They were playing rearranged
versions of popular songs, their style is
reflected in „Paganini Variations”. He
was also working on his first symphony
which was finished after war. It was
first played in 1947 and was highly
appreciated, however it was soon banned by Soviet authorities because of
its formalist and modern character.
Post-war reality was hard for artists,
however, Lutosławski managed to
create his own melodious, technically
perfect style derived from folk music
which is why it was not banned by
authorities. All those treats can be
found in his Concerto for Orchestra,
first played in 1954, which still remains
the most frequently played piece of his.
As time passed, Lutosławski’s style
begun to change and develop in different direction.
During so-called “thaw”, contact with
western countries was restored by
founding annual Warsaw Autumn Festival of Contemporary Music. In 1958
Lutosławski played there “Music of
Mourning” and apart from international
recognition he also gained UNESCO
prize. This piece, along with “Five
songs” stands as example of his
unique, twelve-note system style.
Apart from distinguished, harmonic
compositions, under the pseudonym
Derwid, Lutosławski composed light
pieces such as waltzes, foxtrots and
tangos—so called actors’ songs.
Lutosławski received a few honorary
doctorates; first one in 1971 gave him
recognision as a great compositor.
Among his greatest works are Cello
Concerto, Double Concerto, Piano
Concerto for Krystian Zimmerman,
Symphony No. 3 which was premiered
by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
He also composed two cycles of songs
Paroles tissées and Les espaces du
sommeil. Finally, he composed three
pieces titled Chain: Chain 1 for AnneSophie Mutter, Chain 2 for the London
Sinfonietta, and Chain 3 for the San
Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
He was engaged in many social activities connected with music promotion in
society and a member of various committees like UNESCO International
Music Council and the Board of the
Polish Composers’ Union. When Communism collapsed he was cooperating
with Solidarność and became the musicians’ spokesman on the Citizens’
Committee. From 1992 he was in the
Cultural Council at the President’s
Office.
His exceptional style made him a 20th
century classic.
POLISH CUISINE
Apple
The most important fruit—alongside pears, plums, cherries—in
Poland. Apples can be divided into dessert varieties, grown for eating
raw, and those for making preserves. Some can be used both ways. In
contemporary orchards a dozen types, known globally, are usually
grown. In Poland, before the Second World War, over 50 types of local
apples were grown. Thanks to diversification, they were picked over the
whole season. The Papierówka variety fruited in early summer,
Sierpniówka in late summer, and Antonówka in autumn. Some apples
cold survive whole winter in a ‘clamp’, and they were a precious source
of vitamins in the pre-harvest period. In Poland there is a saying that
“Granddad plants the best orchard”, since 40-50 year-old apple trees
give the best fruit.
Among old varieties of apple trees, some are still popular.
Among others Papierówka, with a pale yellow skin, Golden Russet—
sour with a spicy aftertaste, and Kosztela, with a green skin and very
sweet flesh, great to eat raw. In Chrystkow, Kujavian-Pomeranian Province, there is a collection of old Polish local apple tree varieties from the
Lower Vistula Valley region.
Apples are the basis of many cakes, e.g. apple pie—fruit tart on
shortcrust pastry. Apple mousses, jams and kompot (a refreshing drink
made of fruit boiled in water with sugar) are popular as well. Apples go
well with poultry, too. They are a traditional addition to roast duck.
Stewed apple accompanies fried chicken livers or kaszanka (Polish
blood sausage of meat, offal, blood and groats).
Apple can be an ingredient in salads, e.g. with
goat’s cheese and cranberry. Racuszki—little
sweet pies with apples are also popular Polish
dish.
Thanks to molecular cuisine techniques,
a fruit may be transformed into caviar—jelly
balls, or spherical ravioli—capsules with the
apple flavor trapped inside. A waiter pours
hot, smooth celery cream on the caviar and
ravioli, intricately arranged on a plate. Polish
flavors turned upside down are also delicious!
Apple in white wine
- 4 big apples
- 500 ml dry white wine
- 100 g brown sugar
- 40 g butter
- cinnamon
- 4 scoops plain ice cream
- fresh mint
Wash and peel the apples, cut into parts. Pour
wine into a pan; add sugar, butter, cinnamon
and apple. Stew the fruit until tender. Place on
a big plate. Serve with ice cream and mint.