First Philippines Research Hub in Poland Launched at Kalayaan 2017 Celebrations
Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez thanks the Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) for the establishment of the first-ever Philippines Research Hub in Poland and expressed her gratitude to Rector Dr. Andrzej Lesicki for his strong support and to AMU’s faculty members Dr. Aleksander Mikolajczak and Dr. Rafal Dymczyk, as well as to Dr. Clarinda Calma - the triumvirate behind this initiative - which was officially launched during the event. Dr. Clarinda Calma (2nd from left) translated Ambassador Paez’s remarks into Polish. Ms. Ewa Kolanus (extreme left) emceed the program’s proceedings in Polish.
20 June 2017 POZNAN, POLAND — The first-ever Philippines Research Hub in Poland was officially launched during the celebration of the 119th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence at the Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in Poznan.
Two events were held at the AMU in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
First, was the afternoon showing of the film entitled Heneral Luna. Prof. Aleksander Mikolajczak introduced the film to Polish students by giving a short narration about the Philippines’ struggle for independence against foreign colonial rule. The Embassy also distributed flyers which had a synopsis of the film and a bio-profile of Philippine hero General Antonio Luna.
In partnership with the Philippines Research Hub and the AMU, the Embassy presented “Cavatina: An Evening of Filipino Music and Poetry” at the Aula Lubranskiego of the university’s Collegium Minus.
AMU’s Rector Dr. Andrzej Lesicki highlighted the importance of the Philippine Independence Day celebration and cited the parallelisms between the histories of the Philippines and Poland.
Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez thanked Rector Dr. Lesicki for his strong support for the establishment at the AMU of the first-ever Philippines Research Hub in Poland. She lauded its professors, namely, Dr. Aleksander Mikolajczak and Dr. Rafal Dymczyk, as well as Dr. Clarinda Calma for this initiative. She said that the Philippines Research Hub will undoubtedly strengthen the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Poland. Amb. Paez also thanked the university officials for their cooperation in co-organizing the celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
The evening’s event featured the music of Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1896) and a recital of the Polish translation of Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” (“Moje Ostatnie Pozegnanie”).
Mrs. Ewa Kolanus, who served as emcee, gave a brief introduction about Philippine “kundiman” and presented short biographies of Mr. Nicanor Abelardo and Dr. Jose Rizal.
Mr. Krzysztof Bzdziel, a young Polish pianist, rendered seven “kundiman” pieces, including five compositions of Nicanor Abelardo, namely: “Nasaan ka Irog,” “Cavatina,” “Kundiman ng Luha,” “Mutya ng Pasig,” and “Bituing Marikit.” His repertoire also included Mike Velarde’s “Dahil sa Iyo” and Lucio San Pedro’s “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.”
Seasoned theatre actor Mr. Zbigniew Grochal recited the Polish translation of “Mi Ultimo Adios” ((“Moje Ostatnie Pozegnanie”). Dr. Jose Rizal’s poem was translated into Polish by Dr. Aleksander Mikolajczak.
Ambassador Paez was also interviewed by two TV stations which also provided media coverage for the evening event. Capping the celebration was a reception for at least 200 guests who represent the cross-section of Polish society from the government, business, media, academic and NGO sectors.
The Embassy gave the Polish version of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” brochures, CDs of Philippine “kundiman,” and promotional packets of Philippine dried mangoes to Poles who participated in the two events to commemorate Philippine Independence.
The AMU opened on 07 May 1919 and since 1955, has carried the name of Poland’s national poet Adam Mickiewicz.
For more information, visit www.warsawpe.dfa.gov.ph. END
In his remarks, AMU Rector Dr. Lesicki cited the similarities in the histories of Poland and the Philippines which both struggled valiantly against foreign colonial rule to regain independence.