Musicians:

Tomasz Polak – clarinet, Bartek Staniak – violin, Jarek Wilkosz – double-bass, Krzysztof Kossowski – percussion, Marcin Wiercioch – accordion.

klezzmates concert in Galicia Museum

Tickets cost: 20 PLN, 12 PLN (concessions)

Be there! It’s a must be even if klezmer music if not your domain. Just go there and you’ll thank me later on.

How big is that? Huge! First of all – it belongs to Rupert Murdoch, through Yahoo which he owns. Secondly – it’s over 100 millions users. It had helped many performers to make it big – including Arctic Monkeys. Whereas many people are curious suggesting that polish online market is not easy – eBay and MSN both failed to establish their businesses in Poland, many are happy that we’ll have polish branch of MySpace.

Alongside presidential couple 94 others died – amongst them leaders of polish political scene, head of military, Ryszard Kaczorowski – polish president during communistic times and many others. They had planned to attend the 70th anniversary of the 1940 Katyn massacre.

To all who may not know that tragic events – Katyn is a small town in Russia in which Soviet secret police killed some 22,000 Polish prisoners of war – intelligentsia and officers of polish army taken prisoners. Direct order from Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin and Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria – ended their lives. There were no trials and most of them died from a single shot in the back of their head. During communistic times official propaganda shouted that Katyn’s massacre was done by Germans. Until this day Russian government in not admitting Russia being responsible for this tragic events.

Poland’s late president Lech Kaczynski and the First Lady are to be buried in Krakow in Wawel Cathedral alongside the nation’s most revered kings and generals. They will be laid in a crypt next to the tomb of Marshall Jozef Pilsudski. Marshall Pilsudski is a giant of modern Polish history figure. He is widely considered to have secured Poland’s independence in 1918, after more than a century of partition by Russia and Germany. He also is credited with defeating the Bolshevik Red Army.

More than 1 million people are expected to join the funeral so the city of Krakow is bound to be totally blocked. Amongst distinguished guests we expect top world’s politicians to join the funeral conduct – President Barack Obama, President Dmitry Medvedev, Chancellor Angela Merkel and many others.

Special guests of this year’s edition are going to be creators and actors of recent Hollywood blockbuster Ondine. We are happy to announce that Neil Jordan – the director, and main actors – Alicja Bachleda-Curuś and Colin Farrell will be present for the premiere. Also representative of Monolith Films confirmed their presence. OFF PLUS CAMERA is taking place in Krakow, between 16th and 15th April 2010.

Just in case you’ve been in outer space last couple of decades – Kurosawa was one of the most known Japanese directors. His films were translated and screened in almost every country. Also he received Oscar prize in 1951. His famous films are “Rashomon” and “Seven Samurais”.

On Saturday 20th of March 2010 everyone is invited to join a tour of Krakow in Oscar Schindler’s footsteps. Later on a lecture by Dr Egyta Gawron of Jagiellonian University – Oscar Schindler: Unknown History.

Jakdojade.pl shows connections from any point to another. You can determine starting point and destination – auto fill function helps if you don’t remember exact name of the street. Selecting ‘don’t walk’ is self explanatory. Another function is ‘im in a hurry’ showing the fastest possible connection. After your route is shown you have easy access to the timetables and you get approximate time of your journey.

This site is available in English under http://krakow.jakdojade.pl/?locale=en – so it’s not necessary to speak polish (would be a tough requirement to fulfill ). Also if you’re planing to visit another cities of Poland you can still use Jakdojade.pl – just click change city and you get maps of Warszawa, Poznan, Szczecin, Wroclaw and Łódź – soon to be added more cities. Enjoy.

Enjoy.

Instead of all of this Stajnia is a place where student’s culture blooms, popular music club and you can enjoy there everything – from salsa and tango lessons to ordinary drink at the end of the working week. Needless to mention that there is decent dancing floor and the music is always hot hot hot, quite often latino. Additional garden is run with the first day of warm weather. Summer beer is a delight in this enviroment. But even indoors almost 150 people can easily enjoy they night out. Plus, prices are decent and staff helpful. One disadvantage is shortage of toilets – just 2 of them. But – every thing else is top quality. And more – it’s in the heart of Kazimierz – formerly Jewish quarter.

Meanwhile – have a look at our flights to Krakow planner.

Meanwhile it is secured for evidence of how it was dismantled and what kinds of tools were used in the process, as well as biological data such as hair or blood samples, which could be used as evidence against the suspects.

The five accused men had been caught with the help of informants, after a reward of 100,000 złoty was offered by the museum. The police revealed that the reward will be split 60/40 between two people, who will remain anonymous.

The museum is still seeking funding to finance general renovations as well as an increase in security.

Though the sign has been returned, the case of its theft is far from closed, reminded police spokesman Inspector Dariusz Nowak. He said that this morning, the Krakow prosecutor filed for a European Arrest Warrant for a Swedish citizen, Anders Hoegstroem, who they believe is behind the theft’s commission. We will keep you informed.

Have fun and all the best for new year 2010!

Participants of the expedition will seek to inspire their fellow youth in Africa to play a role in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals in their local communities. In return, the participants seek to learn from what other young people across Africa are doing in pursuit of sustainable African development.

The Longest Lecture event has been prepared by 50 young people from 16 countries: Belarus, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Nigeria, Poland, Tanzania, Turkey and Zimbabwe. The 17th country participating was South Africa, whose Charge de’ affaires in Poland and his wife performed honorary duties. Also 2 people from Tibet were a part of the team.

Winter and Christmas time is specially significant for the Poles. In the old times whole families would spend this time together. On the 6th of December adults would give gifts to children – this custom is called Gwiazdka (a star). You would also expect to find a second batch of gifts under the Tree (pl. Choinka) on the Christmas Day. Usually families would eat very official dinner when the first star came to the sky. Then continue celebrating and they would sing Christmas carols. Those are especially beautiful in polish. People would go to a midnight mass called Pasterka.

The Christmas day and the next day are usually off work and most people would celebrate it with their families, relatives and friends. Nowadays when you spent more time with friends rather than with family it still remained that Christmas time is when you are supposed to actually get together with your family. It is a it different to how western European Christmas tradition has evolved. Nevertheless you can still expect all the culture places and going out places to be open. So – go to Kazimierz, go to Krakow’s old town – plenty to do and lots of excitements are awaiting you.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

Polish fans of indie rock must have heard of the band called Editors. They gig is going to take place in Krakow’s Klub Studio on 25 November 2009. However, few may know that the band is shooting their next music video right here in Krakow. A majority of the video will take place in Krakow’s legendary Alchemia in the Kazimierz district, with additional shooting on the Planty and on a couple of streets in the Old Town. The band released their latest full-length album, In This Light and on This Evening, in October 2009. The concert at Studio begins at 8 pm. Tickets are 89 złoty and can be bought online, or at the door for 100 złoty. Be there! Enjoy!

Greenway’s menu consists of soups, main courses, pancakes, deserts and hot and cold soft drinks. Touch of indian cuisine mixed with mexican and polish influences can be spotted right away in main dishes. Don’t miss on deserts though – those are delicious. If you’re not in the mood for a meal have a coffee – it’s tasty and refreshing.

Enjoy.

Enjoy this small bit of Hollywood in Krakow.

The Orchestra, as we can read on its official website, is “an expression of harmony on all levels. It was founded in 1995 by Sir Georg Solti to reaffirm, in his words, ‘the unique strength of music as an ambassador for peace’. Its players come from orchestras all over the world, many of them concert masters and section leaders in their own right, and the orchestra has no existence outside the very special occasions that call it into being.”

Programme for this concert will be:

Krzysztof Penderecki ‘Prelude for Peace’ (WOP commission, world premiere)
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C# minor

Enjoy!

Jewish cuisine is rich with flavours but one of it’s most prominent landmark is a bagel. Basically – it’s a roll with a round whole in the middle and lots of possible fillings. You can get it in New York, Israel is fameous for bagels with humus but the best ones are available in the “Old Country”, ie. Poland. Of course Bagelmama offers variety of menus – there is Jewish, texMex and take away. Bon apetit!

The pharmacy was founded and run by a Polish pharmacist Tadeusz Pankiewicz. He was the only non-Jewish person actually living inside the ghetto. His pharmacy was a secret point, where the elite would meet, the underground press was read and letters were exchanged. But most of all Pankiewicz and his staff would help sick Jews and protect many of them by smuggling them to non-Jewish part of Krakow.

Pankiewicz was able to provided shelter for Jews during night arresting. The pharmacy had two exits: the official and a spare one. The latter helped to save lives of many people escaping to Jozefinska Street. The hero also saved over a dozen valuables and old scrolls from local synagogues. After the war, when the communists took over the Pharmacy was turned into a low class bar and Pankiewicz himself moved. It remained in a poor condition until the 80′. In 1983 a museum was opened in the former pharmacy building due to efforts of Pankiewicz’s friends and war heroes, and in 2004 the interiors were refurbished due to the efforts of Roman Polanski and Steven Spielberg.

In 1983 the state of Israel honored Tadeusz Pankiewicz with a medal of ‘The Righteous Among the Nations‘ – a medal honoring those who saved Jews from the Holocaust. He died in November 5th 1993 and is buried in Rakowicki Cemetery in Krakow.

Lenny’s concert will be supprted by polish atrists – The Poise Rite, Vavamuffin, Wilki and Patrycja Markowska.

April 21 – starts at 6

Cathedral was the coronation site of nearly all Polish monarchs. One of the very first pope John Paul the II masses as a young priest took place here, so it’s a place of great importance for all the Poles. The Cathedral is still being used to conduct masses and during them is closed for visiting. Sometimes you can see a weding ceremony, but a mass is every day. So remember not to disturb praying.

Art. Deco Apartment / Madalińskiego street number 8. It’s luxury Art Deco style with original furniture from the ‘30, 100 sqm apartment on second floor. It’s got one bedroom for up to 2 people. It’s equipped in a king size bed in the bedroom, cabinet, living room, kitchen, bathroom, tv sat, Wifi, washing machine. The location is great, it’s just steps away from Visla River and 10 minutes walking from Wawel Castle. Private garage. Non smoking only. Flexible check in/out possible – also shuttle service from/to the airport provided.

Link: http://www.krakowapartments4rent.com/en,krakow_art deco_apartment.html

Prices: 65 – 110 Euro per night/ 600 Euro/week

other apartments offered by “Krakow Apartments 4rent”

Kazimierz Apartment – Wietora Street no9 – 2 bedroom, 60 sqm apartment, up to 6 people

Rubinstein Apartment – Wietora Street no 2 – newly decorated 1 bedroom apartment, 55 sqm, with a soul in typical Krakow’s tenement

Trinity Apartment – Trynitarska Street no 4 – brand new apartment in new building with a lift/elevator in the heart of Kazimierz. 80 sqm, 2 bedrooms, king size bed and 2x single bed in the bedrooms + double pull out sofa in the living room, 2 bathrooms with underfloor heating

Irish Apartment – Bochenska Street no 3 – 2 bedroom modern apartment, up to 4 people,

Empire Apartment – Starowislna Street no 45 – 1 bedroom – up to 4 people, beautiful apartment in Krakow’s tenement in one of major streets of Kazimierz, fully equipped

Attic Apartment – Kotlarska Street no 6 – 1 bedroom apartment, economic class, for up to 4 people. Double bed in the bedroom + sofa bed in the living room. 15 minutes on the foot from Kazimierz.

Old Town Apartment – Dietla Street no 95, 2 bedroom spacious apartment with balcony, central located, fully equipped, computer + internet, safe,dishwascher , washing machine, microwave