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| Ena Aldecoa, Zdzisław Łapiński, Maria Pomianowska, and Tusa Montes |
Whenever I think of music from Poland, composer Frédéric Chopin always comes to mind first followed by other classical music figures like Jan Paderewski, Henryk Wieniawski, Witold Lutosławski, and of late, Karol Szymanowski.
This is why it was a very welcome change that the Embassy of Poland brought folk music here when cellist Zdzisław Łapiński and folk musician Maria Pomianowska flew to Manila for a series of events as part of the festivities celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Poland.
One of the highlights of the duo's visit was a an intimate concert held at the Manila Polo Club where they performed folk and traditional Polish music as well as compositions by Pomianowska herself.
All eyes and ears were with Pomianowska as she showcased two Polish fiddles namely, suka biłgorajska and fidela płocka. Having a more angular shape rather than curves and similar in size with a viola, and played upright like a cello but just placed on the lap like an ehru, these instruments were lost for centuries but she, along with her collaborators Prof. Ewa Dahlig-Turek and luthier Andrzej Kuczowski, were able to reconstruct them despite the lack of existing specimens.
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| Ena Aldecoa, Maria Pomianowska, Zdzisław Łapiński, and Tusa Montes |
Hearing Pomianowska play her compositions with these instruments with Łapiński on the cello providing accompaniment was a treat to the ears as the music not only explored different textures but also featured touches influenced by Asian music.
Befitting an event celebrating the ties between the two countries, local artists, namely soprano Ena Maria Aldecoa and percussionist Tusa Montes joined their Polish counterparts on stage resulting in a music performance that was truly collaborative.
Apart from this performance, Łapiński and Pomianowska gave masterclasses, workshops, performed at other lecture/concerts, and participated in a discussion about the music ties between the Philippines and Poland. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the University of the Philippines and the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków to develop academic cooperation and promote mutual understanding.
A couple of days after the Manila Polo Club performance, the festivities of 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Poland reached its climax with yet another celebration, that of the National Day of Poland held at Fairmont Makati.
Embassy of Poland's Chargé d’Affaires Jarosław Szczepankiewicz reiterated in his speech the strong ties between the two countries. He then delighted the guests when he told in Filipino that the chicken galantina, a favorite dish served during feasts, and the mazurka folk dance (specifically Mazurka Boholana) have their origins in Poland.
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| H.E. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, Usec Eduardo de Vera, and Papal Nuncio Reverend Charles Brown |
In attendance at the reception were Eduardo de Vega, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Reverend Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, government employees, the Polish community in Manila, and some personalities in the world of business, media, and arts/culture as well.
Polish chefs ensured that the event would be a gastronomical feast showcasing the best of Polish cuisine. Good food is best paired with good drinks and the Zubrówka or Bison Grass Vodka was divine. Polish food products that are available in local groceries were also on display.
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| Suyo Rondalla Group |
As with any celebration, music is always a highlight and the special guests that night was the Suyo Rondalla Group, coming all the way from Ilocos Sur.
RAd's Page Turners | Solaris
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As always, whenever I attend a national day celebration, I got compelled to read a novel by a Polish author to learn more about the country. But I am uncertain if reading Solaris by Stanisław Lem can help me at all to learn more about Poland since it takes place on a far away planet.
The science fiction novel is about a group of scientists in a research station studying the strange planet of Solaris, especially the ocean that covers almost the entirety of the planet. In their quest to find answers regarding the possible sentience of the ocean, the scientists instead get confronted by their inner, suppressed feelings manifested in human form, that is probably the work of the mysterious ocean itself. In the case of the lead protagonist Kelvin, he is visited by his ex-lover who has long been dead.
Solaris is a psychologically charged novel that has already been adapted into film twice, first by Andrei Tarkovsky in 1972, and then by Steven Soderbergh in 2002 that starred George Clooney
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