Major Points

Activities of the Polish Cultural Foundation of (PCF) 2007

Film Presentations

·        On April 22, PCF premiered a new comedy by Stanislaw Tyma „Rys” at the Belmont Studio Cinema. (total number of viewers was about 100).

Exhibits

·        The photographic exhibit entitled „JOHN PAUL II THE HOLY MAN; TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH”, prepared in 2003 and expanded in 2005, continued to be presented at various venues.  The exhibit was first shown during the second anniversary of John Paul II’s death on March 31-April 2  at Our Lady of Czestochowa in So. Boston.  Next, on June 23-24, it was presented at Holy Trinity Church in Harwich, MA, on October 10, at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge,  MA and then on October 26-28 at the exhibit hall at St. Ann’s Church in Lawrenceville, NJ.  (each time there were approximately 1,000-3,000 viewers)

·        On May 3,as part of the National May 3 holiday celebration, we presented the photographic exhibit „POLISH CONSTITUTION OF MAY 3rd, 1791” at Harvard University (Kirkland House).  The events were organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, DC and the Office of the Honorary Consul in Boston with the cooperation of PCF (approximatley 300 people participated in the celebration)  

On September 30 this same exhibit was presented at the Eastern European Festival in Deerfield, MA. (participants 2,000) 

In order to better utilize this exhibit in the future, we are working on preparing a printed catalog of the exhibit that includes pictures, explanations, and a full text of the actual Constitution. 

Concerts/Festivals

·        On March 31, PCF sponsored a concert of Bostonian artists to honor the second anniversary of the death of John Paul II.  The concert was entitled „TRUE LOVE NEVER STOPS” and took place at St. Mary’s school hall in So. Boston (approx 150 guests).

·        On September 15-16, our Foundation participated in the Polish Harvest Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa (OLCz) Parish in South Boston.  Within the framework of this festival, we organized the concert of the orchestra of Janusz Kowalski, with vocalist Kasia Sokalla.  Also, we took part in advertising the festival, preparing the decorations and organizing a series of traditional presentations. (there were over 1,500 participants)

Charitable Activities

·        The Saturday, January 27, which began the Carnival Fest at St. Mary’s Hall in So. Boston marked the end of the PCF charitable drive begun in February 2006 for the summer camp run for the poorest Polish children in the region of Latvia. The total collected and forwarded to the Federation of Poles in Latvia was $3,500. 

·        In addition, in March, we sent $500 to the Serafin Sisters from our own funds.  These funds were to help run the Social Help House for Children in Poznan.

Miscellaneous

·        During all of 2007, PCF designed a new bilingual bookmark (in Polish and English) with information about the upcoming 400 year anniversary of the arrival of the first Poles in America.  The first production and distribution (500 pieces) was begun.  Also, we continued the distribution of already produced bookmarks from 2005 with general information about Poland and Poles (distribution approximately 3,000 pieces). 

·        On July 14, PCF Board Members Lila and Andrzej Pronczuk participated in the Annual Convention of American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) in Dearborn, MI.  During this Convention, the President of PCF, Andrzej Pronczuk, was recognized with the annual ACPC „Cultural Achievement Award”. 

·        In March 2006, two PCF Board Members were called to the Advisory Committee to Build the John Paul II Center in So. Boston.  This gives much hope that the Center will fulfill the goal that is stipulated in our Bilaws, to build a Center of Polish Culture.  Initial plans of this Center have already been drawn and the first fundraiser begun.  As a result of the JPII exhibit as well as the participation in the Harvest Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, the Foundation was able to collect the first $2,000 for the planned Center.

Ongoing Activities

·        PCF continued its patronage of the John Paul II Polish Language School in So. Boston (making available film equipment for school use, participating in the work of the School Advisory Board, assisting with preparations for the 10th Congress of Teachers of Polish Schools in the US which will take place in May 2008 in Boston, providing Christmas presents to teachers as well as making a monetary contribution in the amount of $700). 

·        As in previous years, PCF continuously disseminated information about its own cultural activities as well as that of others.  This was done through the PCF website, pcf-boston.org, and the related site, polboston.com, as well as through the continuous expansion of its email member list.

Major Activities

of the Polish Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCF) in 2006

Exhibits

·  The photographic exhibit “JOHN PAUL II THE HOLY MAN; TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH”, which originally was prepared in cooperation with the Publishing House „Kwadrat” in Krakow”, was expanded and updated. A new exhibit catalogue and additional information materials were printed.  Between March 21 and April 9, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (RP), the exhibit was presented at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC.  On April 29 and 30 as well as May 6 and 7, the exhibit traveled to New Jersey and was shown at the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bayonne and then at St. Theresa’s Parish in Linden.  On September 9, the exhibit was once again shown in Washington DC, within the framework of a special program, „Wadowice on the Potomac”, organized by the Friends of John Paul II Foundation, Inc.  Finally, on November 14, the exhibit highlighted John Paul II’s annual Cultural Day at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA.

·  On May 3-14, in conjunction with the Embassy of RP in Washington, DC, PCF presented an exhibit at UMASS Boston dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Solidarnosc entitled “Roads to Freedom, Europe via Solidarnosc”.  The exhibit was widely viewed both by the students and the university faculty.  It was also open to the public.

Concerts / Festivals

·  On September 23 and 24, our Foundation participated in the Polish Harvest Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa (OLCz) Parish in South Boston.  Within the framework of this festival, we sponsored the performance of the Polish Amateur Theatre of Boston, as well as the recital of a renown vocalist, Grazyna Auguscik.  Also, we took part in advertising the festival, preparing the decorations and organizing a series of traditional presentations.

Charitable Activities

·   This year, we began collecting funds to support Polish language summer camps for Polonia youth in Latvia.  This was mostly done in conjunction with JPII exhibits.  To date, we have collected over $1,000.  The collection effort will continue until May of 2007.

Miscellaneous

·  PCF members enthusiastically supported many efforts linked with the reinstallation in Boston of Andrzej Pitynski’s „Partisans” sculpture. The efforts were successful, and the sculpture was returned to Boston installed at a prominent place next to the World Trade Center in South Boston on September 6.

·  On November 12, during the Polish Independence Day celebrations at OLCz Parish in South Boston, the Secretary of our organization, Mark Szpak, received the distinguished award „Amicus Poloniae” from the Ambassador of the RP in the US.  During this same event, thanks to efforts by the Foundation, this high honor was also bestowed upon a great supporter of Polonia, Prof. Mark O’Connor.

·  During the entire year, we continued to distribute our bookmarks, promoting Poland and Poles, mostly among American youth.  Thanks to the financial support ($500) received from the Consulate General RP in New York, it was possible to produce another 5,000 bookmarks, a part of which will be distributed by the Consulate in NY and a part (2,000), will remain for PCF distribution.  Additionally, in anticipation of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Poles in America, we prepared a design of a new bookmark that celebrates the 400th anniversary of Jamestown.

Ongoing Activities

·  The Youth Film Club (DKF) continued showing and discussing interesting Polish feature films during the first half of the year.  These activities are expected to pick up once again in 2007.

·   PCF continued its patronage of the John Paul II Polish Language School in S. Boston (offering organizational help, taking part in the work of the School Advisory Board, etc.). 

·   This year, besides cooperation with the local organizations, we expanded our fruitful collaboration with the Embassy RP in Washington, DC, the Consulate General RP in NY, and the Polish Parish in South Boston.

·   PCF continued to disseminate information about its own cultural activities as well as that of others.  This was done mostly through the internet site www.polboston.com , as well as through the recently updated PCF website, www.pcf-boston.org .  Information was also distributed through the continuously expanding email member list.