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Poland hardly ever impinges on my Australian world. However, the 25th anniversary of the first free elections since World War 2 precipitated a flurry of segments on Radio National's Saturday extra program. Here are links to them.
An interview with Radislav Sikorski, Poland’s Foreign Minister, who is an Oxford-educated former journalist and author, a respected strategic thinker, a frank commentator on geopolitical matters and a crucial player since the Ukraine crisis erupted.
Adriano Bosoni, a Europe Analyst with the geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor, says it's not an exaggeration to speak of a Polish “economic miracle.” But he believes Poland must still confront some complex issues, including the reliance on EU development money.
In spite of its growing economic success, this 25th ‘celebration’ of freedom reveals a nation still grappling with some inner contradictions that stem from the big tragic arc of history.
A new international campaign was recently launched by Poland to capture the changing mood of the nation. Polska: Spring into the new. But Spring into what?
In spite of its growing economic success, this 25th ‘celebration’ of freedom reveals a nation still grappling with some inner contradictions that stem from the big tragic arc of history.
Guests Beata Zatorska and Michael Moran explore contemporary cultural life and different perspectives of Poland.
Because I'd read Michael Moran's book about his experiences in Poland in the early 1990s, “A country in the moon”, I checked out his blog
which led me to a video at http://vimeo.com/101515664
That wasn't the end of Polish wilfing. I found a blog about Polish roadside shrines, which provided a good sense of the countryside as well.
Finally, after a movie drought of four months, I scoured the program for Narooma Kinema and found two Polish-associated offerings this weekend.
Does this mean it's time to think about returning to the other side of the world?
Posted with Blogsy
morselsandscraps 
What? So soon? Are you missing Poland (or I suspect those cheeky twins) that much?
My Australian daughter got an early-bird ticket for next July for $1400AUD return. Is that an incentive or what? As if I need one!
OK. That sounds like a good deal. You must be tougher than me though to fly all that way every year!
Twice a year is the current plan.
Sounds like you could do with a pied-à-terre in Poland! Still don’t envy you all those flights.
Another Polish movie I saw recently in Brisbane was the black-and-white Ida, set in 1962. Try to see it if it comes your way. Just on the basis of that movie, I am a big fan of Polish movies!
That was on down here just before I left for the last trip. I didn’t catch it then. Thanks for the reminder.
Interesting. I last spoke to Beata briefly 2 years ago – good to hear her voice again.
Warsaw has really become my second home. I actually felt homesick to tears this afternoon watching “In search of Chopin”. Thanks for taking an interest in my blog.
Hi Meg 🙂 I used my break at work to listen to the first mp file you attached. I whish our government had a common sense to make a good use of the EU cohesion funds. We need a miracle like the one in Poland as well! Thank you for sharing all this information. I like Polish cinematography and will look for these films…
Hi Paula. I wonder why Poland has manged to resurrect? A warning: They aren’t actually Polish films, just films with a Polish connection. I’m ravenous for Polish connections!
The director’s name sounds Polish, but I hear you. I wondered how come that your daughter has a Polish name. Did she change it when she moved there?
Her birth name’s Rosemary. She has called herself Rose for years, so she just took on the Polish version – it’s one bit of Polish I can manage, although I’m not certain I have the above-the-letter marks right.
The director was actually born in northern Rhodesia; grew up in South Australia. Her mother was sent to Siberia from what is now the Ukraine by the Russians. It’s an amazing and heart-breaking story – I’ve got a blog half written about the movie.