A report published in Kurier Wileński, describing the ceremonial promotion of the album "Wilno" (number 229 Tuesday 27/11/2001)
In the photo below: Paweł Jaroszewski (from the left), Andrzej Frukacz, prof. Mieczysław Jackiewicz, Jadwiga Bielawska and Romualdas Budrys
If you want to brag about Krakow, if you want to live, you should live in Warsaw, and if you love it, then Vilnius...
They said so before the war, and probably not without reason... Vilnius is becoming more and more popular among publishers of guides and albums. Three months ago, a guide by the outstanding poet Tomas Venclova was published in Polish and Lithuanian versions, now in three languages at once - Polish, Lithuanian and English - the world has seen an album with photos by Paweł Jaroszewski from Krakow and texts by Tadeusz Konwicki and prof. Dr. Hab Mieczysław Jackiewicz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius.
Two presentations of these editions took place: on Friday, in the Chodkiewicz Palace, i.e. the Vilnius Picture Gallery, and on Saturday - in the café of the Polish House. They also became an opportunity to discuss the city's role in the history of Poland, Lithuania, Europe and even the world.
Friday's presentation was certainly noticed by wide circles. The ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Lithuania, Jerzy Bahr, spoke at the event, deputy mayor of Vilnius Juozas Imbrasas, director of the Lithuanian Art Museum Romualdas Budrys.
There were also politicians. Kazys Bobelis, Andrius Kubilius, Rolandas Paksas were present. Even prof. Vytautas Landsbergis stopped by for a few minutes (traditionally, he was in a hurry, so he just sat in the distance and left the room after a few minutes).
The album surprised everyone with its colorfulness. The photos were taken by Paweł Jaroszewski, an artist-photographer from Krakow, who flew to Vilnius throughout the year to capture the city in different seasons.
The lyrics in the album are written by Tadeusz Konwicki, formerly of Vilnius, a famous writer who celebrates his 75th anniversary this year. Next to the comments of prof. Mieczysław Jackiewicz, Ph.D., born in Vilnius, current Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius, who is also the author of previously published guides to Vilnius and the surrounding area and the Ross Cemetery, as well as books about the cultural life of Poles in the Republic of Lithuania in !. 1918-1940, also several studies about Lithuanian
literature in Poland and Polish literature in Lithuania.
The publisher of the album is, one might say, also a former Vilnius resident, Andrzej Frukacz from Chicago (his father and grandfather come from Vilnius), the owner of the Polish-American publishing house "Exlibris".
The Lithuanian version was prepared by Jadwiga Bielawska, a long-time journalist of "Kurier Wileński" (Red Banner), currently a reporter for the ELTA agency.
The presentation began with great solemnity, with Ogiński's polonaise. It was performed by the Vilnius Chamber Orchestra (artistic director Zbigniew Lewicki, director - Zbigniew Siemienowicz). It played throughout the evening, with Andrzej Pilecki "soloing" at the piano. After the more official part, the new book was discussed over a glass of wine, a glass of white wine, and eating stuffed carp and... duck.
The album is now available in bookstores in Vilnius, Poland and the USA.
Andrzej Pukszto, Photo: Marian Paluszkiewicz
The album can be viewed HERE
