Opening ceremony
On June 7 we celebrated the opening of the newest American Corner in Poland. On this occasion we had the honor to host Victor Ashe, Ambassador of the United States of America, Kenneth Fairfax, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate-General Krakow, Pawel Wróblewski, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Province, Andrzej Pawluszek, Member of the Provincial Executive Board, Slawomir Najnigier, Vice President of Wroclaw. We were also graced with presence of special guests from the world of culture and science in Wroclaw and the region.
The Ambassador and the Marshal cut a ribbon to officially open the center inviting everybody to come in. At that moment the second American Corner in Poland came to life.
The American Information and Cultural Center offers more than 3000 English-language books, including subjects on popular science, linguistics, literature, magazines, and an audio-visual collection (audio books, movies, documentaries and music). There are resources available at the reference library and books for lending. Meeting today’s challenges, the American Corner is a modern facility, having computers with internet access and audio-visual equipment.
Andrzej Tyws, Director of Dolnoslaska Public Library noted that “thanks to collected resources and cultural activities and educational opportunities as well, the American Corner lets people know America, understand America and like America”. In the memory book, Ambassador Ashe concluded that the opening of the American Corner in Wroclaw is “another milestone in the advancement of Polish American relations”.
The American Corner is a wonderful example of a shared space where American and Polish culture can meet. Where Americans and Poles can get to know each others customs, acquire and broaden their knowledge and mutual understanding of their respective societies. Meetings at the corner are a great opportunity for exploring and reflecting.
Visitors’ to the Corner can also view a photo exhibition: “American West” by Polish American artist Wieslaw Pikul. “My love affair with photography began towards the end of Seventies, when I left for United States. I mainly photograph landscape because there is a possibility to experience the beauty of nature as well as having adventure (combined) in this field of photography”, Pikul said. Since 1997 he has been a member Wright Camera Club at Wright Collage in Chicago and he participates in photo competitions and has won many prizes. Three times he has taken second place in the annual Nature Competition in photography organized by Chicago Area Club Association.
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