5. Tradition

1. Harvest

Harvest, or as it is now often called the feast yields are ending ancient harvest celebrations, referring to the completion of arduous toil inserted by human cultivation and gathering force to ensure the crops. They are a relic of the old rites of magic. . Over the years changed the nature of ritual and ceremony ended, as was the impact of changing habitat, changing settlement.
The celebration of the content of magic - ritual transformed the first harvest feast in a typically rural, and then in state ceremony in the Polish People's Republic of mass.
Today the harvest celebrations have become a religious and folk festival, and strong elements of recreational entertainment.

Harvest has the same name - yields.
  Reaper coming back from the field with them made by a crown of ears suspended rake. This took the shape of harvest wreath crown with 4-5 ears at the top of the developments. Made from all kinds of cereals, flowers, decorative ribbons. When the procession came into the house, the first people went by train, we all sang.
After singing the host to receive garland, thanked and invited to play


2. Marzanna

Traditional Rituals

The Burning of Morena is a traditional folk festivals still surviving in Slovakia andCzech Republic. The Drowning of Marzanna, or Burning of Marzanna, is also a traditional folk fest in Poland. These festivals are to symbolically welcome the spring and bury the winter and take place on the day before March 21. The ritual involves setting on fire a straw mannequin representing Morena, or drowning a mannequin in a river, or pretty often both. Although nowadays it has no more religious meaning, there are apparent Slavic mythological roots of this fest, which makes the tradition attractive. Every year children in Polish kindergartens and in incipient years of primary school prepare Marzanna mannequin together in classes. On the last day of winter (a day before March 21) they perform the drowning ritual under supervision of their teachers.
The scene has associations with the medieval custom of drowning women accused of witchcraft. Interpretations of this ritual go as far as to say, that setting fire to a female puppet, made of straw in the last day of winter, that Marzanna's demise, symbolises the triumph of patriarchal, Christian religion over the pagan, female order.

3.Święconka

Meaning "the blessing of the Easter baskets” is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions that takes part on Holy Saturday.
While originally observed by Polish Americans in the U.S., it has become increasingly mainstream in U.S and is starting to grow in the U.K. as the Polish go there to live. Catholic churches, being observed by a wide cross-section of parishes

Polish people bring their Easter baskets to bless their Easter food on Holy Saturday. The baskets are decorated with sprigs of boxwood, the typical Easter evergreen. Observing the creativity of other parishioners is one of the special joys of the event. Traditional Polish churches priest uses a straw brush to sprinkle it with water , others use more modern metal holy water sprinkling wand.

4. Śmigus-Dyngus

Customs and traditions:
The best known and still is, of course, a custom of pouring girls with water, derived from the Slavic customs.
Genesis and History:
Easter is related to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, but most of the customs of that period the Catholic Church took over the pagan traditions associated with spring and welcome nature to awaken to life. The first documented mention of this habit in Poland comes from the 15 C, set the Synod of the Diocese of Poznan from 1420 years on. "Dingus prohibited " comply before the practices, which are inevitably sinful subtext: prohibit, in the second and third men women Easter feast men and women not to worry about balance eggs and other gifts, which are commonly called “dyngować” or to draw water, and he frolics tormentor does not take place without sin, mortal and divine name of the images

5. 11th November

Polish national holiday celebrated on 11th November. It reminds of recovery of Poland of independence in 1918 year after 123 years of dismemberment performed by Austria, Prussia and Russia. In last years state II polish republic holy establish, in 1989 retrieve. The day was establish in 1937 . In years during Nazi occupation 1939-44 and in period from 1945 to1989 , getting around was banned in time of communist government on 11 November. It is celebrated in the whole country but most important commemorations are proceed in Warsaw on the square of Joseph under unknown tomb of soldier Piłsudski.

4. Cuisine

1. Beef roulade



Ingredients :

½ kg beef
50 gram of smoked bacon
small onion
50 gram of lard
1 spoon of mustard
salt, pepper, sour cream, wheat flour

Making:

Wash meat under current chill water. Cut meat, smash with a meat hammer.Add salt, sprinkle with pepper and oil each piece. Put some mustard on it. Chop onion and bacon and put on meat. Wrap meat and bind with a string. Put it on warmed up pan, pour more water and boil for softness. Take out all meat, prepare some sauce from flour and water, again boil it. Add cream after boiling and season it. Serve warm with sauce for dumpling or potatoes.

Bon appetit

2. Żur

One of the most popular soup In Poland. It contains many elements of Polish cuisine. The recipe varies in many polish regions are different. In Podlasie region , it’s popular to eat żur with boiled eggs. In Silesia region , very famous is to pour the soup into a plate which has been filled with mashed potatoes.. In Poland żur is traditionally eaten at Easter, but is also popular during other parts of the year.

Ingredients:

- Polish ,,zakwas,,

- white sausage

- bacon

- onion

- garlic

- flour

- bay leaf

- spiece

- black peppercorn

- marjoram

Recipe:

Fry bacon (chopped), add onion, add garlic and sausage. Fry a little more. Add 3 cups of boiling water, bay leaf, black pepper, other spiece. Cook for 20 minutes. Add 'zakwas'. Mix sour cream with flour, add to soup, add marjoram, mix the soup well. Bring to a boil. You can also add chopped, cooked potatoes and chopped hard boiled egg

3. Moczka

Moczka is Silesian traditional Christmas dish. It has rare appearance of plum marmalade. Prepared with special honey-cake, almonds, raisins, prunes, apricots, pears, panties, wood nut and a lot of water in where components are moisten. Instead of water people formerly use carps broth heads. To moczka you can add red wine.

Ingredients:

• 4 glass of stewed fruits

• 5 dag of almond petals

• 30 gram of wood nut

• 50 gram of raisins

• 30 gram of italian nut

• 50 gram of prunes

• 100 gram of apricots

• 100 gram of dried apples

• 200 gram of honey-cake

• 1 tangerine

• 4o gram of chocolate

• ½ lemon juice .

Recipe:

Crumble honey-cake, overflow cold water, put away. Stewed it covered and heat up but not to boil. Add nuts, raisins, figs and almonds and dried fruits. Boil under covering on small fire as long as fruit are soft. Honey-cake rub by sieve and add to stewed. Boil 15 minutes. Throw scrap chocolate, add lemon juice. Before application add scrap tangerine.

4. Makowiec - Poppy seed cake

FILLING:

1 lb. poppy seeds,

1c. sugar,

4 Tb. honey,

2 rounded Tb. butter,

2 egg whites,

1 vanila sugar,

3/4 c. raisins.

1 c. chopped walnuts,

1 Tb. finely chopped candied orange peel.

DOUGH:

1 lb. flour,

1 c. sugar,

3/4 c. margarine,

4 egg yolks,

1 c. milk ( lightly warm)

1 oz. yeast,

pinch of salt,

butter and bread crumbs to grease the cake form.

BRUSHING:

1 egg

GLAZE:

1 c. icing sugar,

1-2 Tb. lemon juice,

1-2 Tb. boiling water.

1) Rinse poppy seeds, scald with hot water and let sit overnight. The next day drain the poppy seeds in a sieve, grind at least two, three times. Melt butter in a pot, add sugar, poppy seeds, honey, raisins, nuts, (candied orange peel, optional) and fry a few minuts on a low flame, still mixing. When slightly cooled, add egg whites whisked into a froth and mix. Divide the poppy seed mixture into 2 parts.

2) Mix yeast with 2 Tb of sugar, 2 Tb of flour, about 100 ml. of lightly warm milk. Mix well and let it rise.

3) Grind the yolks well with the remaining sugar, and to this add the raised yeast, milk, salt and flour. Make a dough. At the end add melted margarin and lemon juice. Mix well again. The dough must not stick to your hands. Cover with a towel and let the dough rise.

4) Divide the dough into 2 parts. Roll out each part of the dough, lightly sprinkled with flour. Evenly spread the poppy seed mixture on the dough, roll up the dough and place in long, app. 18 -inch loaf pans. Close the edges of the rolls so that the poppe seed mixture doesn't come out during rising. Let the rolls rise again in a warm place covered with a towel, then brush with an egg mixed with 1 tsp. milk.

5) Preheat oven to 360 F and then place the rolls in for ~ 40 minutes. Check if ready with toothpick, which should remain dry. When slightly cooled, take out of the pans and glaze.

!!! POPPY SEEDS CAKE, is a traditional Polish dessert, especially popular during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

5. Traditional Polish Bigos

Bigos is a traditional stew typical of Polish cuisine that many consider to be the Polish national dish.

There is no standard recipe, as recipes vary considerably from region to region and from family to family. Typical ingredients include: sauerkraut, various cuts of meat and sausages, often whole or rubbed tomatoes. It may be seasoned with pepper, caraway, juniper berries, bay leaf, marjoram, pimento, dried or smoked plums and other ingredients.

Bigos is usually eaten with rye bread and potatoes. Bigos can be kept in a cool place or refrigerated then reheated later is better tasting. A common practice is to keep a pot of bigos going for a week or more, replenishing ingredients as necessary.

This, the seasonal availability of cabbage and its richness in vitamin C made bigos a traditional part of the winter diet in Poland and elsewhere. In Poland, it was a traditional dish to be served on the Second Day of Christmas.

3. Monuments

1. The Salt Mine 'Wieliczka'

Wieliczka is the oldest salt mine in Poland since the Middle Ages. It’s placed in Wieliczka town close to famous Cracow. For centuries it was the source of the country’s wealth and the material foundation of its culture.

In 1976 The mine was registered as a monument.Two years later, in 1978, the mine was inscribed in UNESCO's First World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage, and in 1994 it was acknowledged as the National History Monument by the president of Poland. During World War II, the salt mine was used by the occupying Germans as facilities for war-related production plants. Today it’s one of the most popular Polish tourist attraction In 2006 year – Mine was visited by 1 milion 65,857 thousand guests, 58% guests from other countries. Subterranean Wieliczka consists of nearly 300 kilometres of corridors and almost 3,000 chambers. The tourist route accessible to visitors includes a 3.5-kilometres track , 20 chambers located from 64 to 135 metres below ground level.

After sightseeing, tourists can rest in the chamber complex , about 125 metres underground where they can find souvenir shops, a restaurant, and a post office. One of the most important attraction is St Kinga’s Chapel Called ,,underground church’’ For about 100 years people and mine workers prayed in this place. Here you Can find St. Kinga’s relics and Christian reliefs In chapel for these days are performed holy mass and concert’s For example ,,Blackmore's Night,, and Nigel Kennedy Concert.

2. Castle in Malbork

Malbork Castle is the former seat of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the German House of Jerusalem, commonly called Teutonic Knight’s and at the same time the religious capital of the State. He is also the largest brick building in the world.

Construction of the oldest parts of the Malbork Castle - Castle High started in the years 1274-1275, when it built its surrounding walls. Construction of internal wings lasted up to 1300 years. In connection with the collapse of the Palestinian Akkonu decision has been taken to move the seat of ultimate authority of the Order of Prussia. For this reason, for the period 1295-1302 was built the walls of the Castle Ward Middle, and the year 1330 was built the other buildings here, including Great Refectory and the Grand Master's Palace.

On 20 September 1949 decision of the Regional Conservator of Monuments castle was entered in the register of historic buildings at No 29 / N. Then the President of Poland Regulation of 8 September 1994 found a team for the Teutonic castle history monument.

In 1999 he was included on the List of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

3. >WOLF’S LAIR

The German name Wolfsschanze has actually nothing to do with a wolf's lair, as Schanze is a term from military engineering and could best be translated as "entrenchment", "rampart" or "redoubt".

The remains of the complex are located in Poland at the hamlet of Gierłoż near Kętrzyn, although at the time of operation this area was part of the German province of East Prussia, the southern part of which was assigned to the People's Republic of Poland after 1945. It consisted of a group of bunkers and fortified buildings in a thickly wooded area, surrounded by several rings of barbed wire and defensive positions. The complex was served by a nearby airfield. It was built for the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, codenamed Operation Barbarossa (22 June 1941), and abandoned on 25 January 1945 as the Soviet army front line troops approached Angerburg (now Węgorzewo) located only 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away.

Reich Security Service (RSD) was responsible for Hitler's personal security. RSD consisted of two Groups. There were 10 officers of criminal service and a dozen of Hitler's personal guards in each of them

In October 1944 Red Army troops reached the eastern border of East Prussia. Therefore, on 20November 1944 the main headquarters were moved to Zossen near Berlin. Two days later the decree to destroy Wolf's Lair was issued and it was executed during the night on 24/ 25 January 1945

Today the complex is a museum, open all year long. Despite the damage, the site remains to this day a notable tourist attraction. A monument to the July 20 plotters can also be found on the site.

4. Jasna Góra

It is a The Sanctuary of the Mother of Good in Częstochowa in Poland. It is a complex monastic of Paulites's monastery. It is one of the more important places cult of the Mother of Good and for hunderts years it is the prime centrum of pilgrimage in Poland. On the Jasna Góra is a picture of the Częstochowa's Mother of Good.

History of the sanctuary:

• 1382 prince Władysław has fetched paulites from hungary for old parish church on force of duke's decree from same 9 august year and it has performed foundation of monastery.

• Name of plain mountain has been transmitted by hungarian paulites on reminder of mother monastery.

• 1655 Swedish have taken attempt of taking possession of monastery in time of swedish deluge of troop and sanctuary.

• II world war – part of the sanctuary was occupied by nazi troops from 3 september 1939 year for 16 january 1945

• 26 august 1956 - people lodge marriages of nations

• Pope Jan Paweł II visited Jasna Góra six times

Memorials:

• Monument of father Kordecki

• Monument of pope Jan Paweł II

Chapel of wonderful image – here is a picture of The Black Madonna

Wonderful picture of god mother is biggest treasure of Jasna Góra. Image is painted on wood table. This picture presents holiest mary of lady in the form of stagnant with Jesus on her hands.

Library:

It contains over 15 thousand manuscript, decorate is dated on first half of XVIII century and it has been made by monastic brothers.

Vault:

In years 1649-53 throw up special accommodation which was a vault. Today here is gifts from saved and cured people.

Tradition of pilgrimage on Jasna Góra reach starts of sanctuaries. It has become one of most attended pilgrimage place in short time. People pilgrimage because they believe that Mother of Good help in their problems. On Jasna Góra pilgrimage:

• High-school graduate

• workers

• Motorcyclists

• Cyclists

• priests

• farmers and a lot of other people from all World

5. Wambierzyce

Wambierzyce is a small town, Radków municipalities in the valley of Kidron brook at the foot of Table Mountains, far to the south west of Kłodzka. At the center is dominated by the baroque basilica crowned in 1980 XIII century figure Wambierzyckiej Queen families.

Wambierzyckie Shrine of Mary, called the Lower Silesian Jerusalem, which is the Basilica, from 74 Calvary chapels and mobile crib.

In the first years of the century XIII Jan blind eye with regained Raszewa praying before the figure of Mary with the Child placed on powerful Lipie. It is the miraculous event rozchodzi very quickly. Before you begin to figure more and more groups to receive pilgrims. In order to facilitate the religious practices of the linden tree at the foot of figure built a stone altar, bowls and candlestick. Since the beginning of the force went to the village in the shadow of religious ceremonies and pilgrimages. The cult of Mary in Wambierzycach launched and maintained over the following centuries, who came from Czech, Moravia, Austria, Upper Silesia and Opole.

The present church was built between 1715-1720. The consecration took place in the church year in 1720, and in 1721 was made inside the benches, and in 1724 completed the construction of the front stairs, and in 1725 the sculptor Charles Flaker Sebastian has performed the main altar and pulpit. In the early twentieth century, lighting was installed on the facade of 1,390 light bulbs arranged in specific locations the main architectural divisions.

In 1936 Pope Pius XI gave the temple the title of Basilica Minor.

Another part of facility wambierzyckiego Kalwaria cult is founded in the years 1683-1708 by Daniel Osterberga. In the year 1698 for the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows was a house hermit. Between 1769-1775 the so-called reconstructed. Grand Staircase on the Mount of Calvary. In the year 1885 occurred at the last large-scale comprehensive redevelopment of the team Wambierzyce pilgrimage. At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, nearly all the chapels are equipped with naturalistic polychrome wooden figures, the work of sculptors Tyrolean.

Strong interest in the public raises crib mobile. It's located in a building at the foot of Calvary. Traditions in the construction of mobile crib Wambierzycach reach the eighteenth century. The present crib was in the second half of the nineteenth century, and its creator is Longinus Wittig, a locksmith by profession a sculptor with a taste. Planing lipowych treating life figures as a hobby for 28 years Longinus carved around 800 characters, with the 300 is moving. Drive a preserved in good condition weighing clock mechanism. In addition to five stages of religious scenes represent the two vertical cross-section of the mine coal and fun folk.

6. Wawel

Wawel is a monument situated on the left bank of the Vistula River in Krakow. Wawel is without doubt one of the most interesting, hospitable and wonderful places I have ever been to. Wawel is both the museum and the symbol of the national history.
You can see there the Wawel Hill with the Wawel Royal Castle, where tree dynasties of Polish kings lived. On the Wawel Hill there is also the Wawel Cathedral. Inside, there is certainly plenty to see. There Polish kings and national heroes are interred. There is also the Zygmunt's Bell.
Around Wawel there is a park with the view of Vistula, where you can rest. There is a lot of tourists from different country.
I think this place impressed me so much because it has a very interesting history. I would love to return to Krakow .

7. rgin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } -->Panorama of the Battle of Racławice

PANORAMA OF THE BATTLE OF RACŁAWICE in Wrocław, an impressive relic of 19th-century century mass culture, is one of only few examples of this genre preserved in Europe. The large painting (15x114m) 'transfers' the viewer into an altogether different time, a reality of its own, by artfully combining painterly devices (special kind of perspective) and technical effects (lighting, artificial terrain, dark and usually tortuous passage to the viewing platform). Panoram of the Battle of Racławice is the oldest and only extant example of panorama painting in Poland.

The idea came from the painter Jan Styka (1858-1925) in Lwów (Lvov) who invited the renown battle-painter Wojciech Kossak (1857-1942) to participate in the project. They were assisted by Ludwik Boller, Tadeusz Popiel, Zygmunt Rozwadowski, Teodor Axentowicz, Włodzimierz Tetmajer, Wincenty Wodzinowski and Michał Sozański.

The project was conceived as a patriotic manifestation commemorating the 100th anniversary of the victorious Battle of Racławice, a famous episode of the Kościuszko Insurrection, a heroic but in the end fallen attempt to defend Polish independence. The battle was fought on 4 April 1794 between the insurrectionist force of regulars and peasant volunteers (awesome scythe-bearers) under Kościuszko (1746-1817) himself and the Russian army commanded by General Tormasov. For the nation which had lost its independence, the memory of this glorious victory was particularly important. The National Exhibition, organized in Lwów in 1894, offered an excellent opportunity to realize Styka`s idea. Canvas, woven to order, was bought in Brussels, the specially-built rotunda's iron structure (designed by Ludwik Ramułt) in Vienna. The rotunda, located in Stryjski Park in Lwów, was ready in July 1893. The huge panorama painting was executed within 9 months, between August 1893 and may 1894. The official opening was on 5 June 1894. Since the very beginning, Panorama of the Battle of Racławice attracted enormous attention and brought crowds of tourists to Lwów

2. Fameous people

1. Robert Kubica


Robert Kubica was born on December 7, 1984 in Krakow - Poland

He started his adventure with cars very early, at the age of four and drove a small off-road vehicle around at his parents' home.

He proceeded to karts and won six Polish Championship titles.

In 1998 Robert Kubica won the Italian Karting Championship as the first foreigner in the history of the series and also scored second place in European Championship.

At the end of 1999 he tested a Formula Renault 2000 car for the first time.

In 2002 he won four races and scored second place in Italian Formula Renault 2000.

His move to Formula 3 Euro Series was delayed because of the road accident when he was a passenger in Poland, which left him with severely broken right arm. .

He ended his first, shortened season on the 12th place but ended his second season in Formula 3 Euro Series in a factory Mercedes team in an improved seventh position.

In November 2004 he scored pole position in Macau F3 Grand Prix, then broke the lap record before finishing second.

That earned him a test with the Renault F1 Team in Barcelona and his lap times made such a big impression that three weeks later Kubica was signed by BMW Sauber as their official Friday test driver.

The Polish driver, though, soon found himself in race-seat, replacing the ousted Jacques Villeneuve and he surprised and impressed many when he finished third in the Italian Grand Prix, only his second F1 race.

However, disaster almost struck at the Canadian GP when he suffered a horrific high-speed accident, coming away with nothing more than a sprained ankel.

His lack of injury was testament to the technology used in F1 as his BMW literally broke-up around him as he hit a wall only to somersalt across the track before hitting the wall on the other side.

His damaged ankle and slight concussion, though, kept him out of the USGP but he made his return in France, demonstrating his own mental strength.

Eight points finishes in the remaining 11 races saw Kubica finish the Championship in sixth place behind his team-mate and earned him another season at BMW.

And 2008 season proved to be a rather successful one for Kubica and the team who achieved their first victory at the Canadian GP.

However, a slight slump in form in the latter few races meant he was fourth by the time the season ended in Brazil.BMW are already talking about launching a title challenge in 2009 and, based on last season's results, Kubica can expect to be leading the fight.

2. Karol Wojtyła

(born 18 May 1920 in Wadowice, died April 2 in the Vatican in 2005) - Polish Catholic cleric, Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal, Pope (16 October 1978-2 April 2005), a servant of God Catholic Church.

The poet and polyglot, and also an actor, playwright and educator. Philosopher of history, fenomenolog, and a representative of the mystic Christian personalizmu.

Karol Wojtyla was baptized in the parish church of 20 years in June 1920 by Father Francis Żaka.
As a child Charles was called the most diminutives name - Lolek. Considered him as a boy and talented wysportowanego. Regularly played football, and he traveled on skis. A very important part of the trip were Charles National, as well as walks around Wadowice.

After finishing middle school he chose Karol Wojtyla Polish studies at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Jagiellonian University. Studies began in October 1938.

In 1958 Karol Wojtyla was appointed titular bishop Ombrii, as well as auxiliary bishop of Krakow. Episcopal consecration of Fr. Karol Wojtyla made 28 September 1958 in the Metropolitan Cathedral on the Wawel Hill in Kraków and Lviv, Archbishop Eugene BAZIAK.
On 30 December 1963 Karol Wojtyla was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow. Four years later, during the consistory of 26 June 1967 was appointed a cardinal. 29 June 1967 was in the chapel SYKSTYŃSKI from Pope Paul VI barret red, and his church became the titular church of St. Cezary Martyr on Palatynie.
At convened after the death of John Paul and the second conclave in 1978 Wojtyla was elected pope and was called by the name of John Paul II. The result of the selection was announced Oct. 16 by 16:16.

On 13 May 1981, during the general audience at the Place St.. Peter's Basilica in Rome at 17:19, John Paul II was shot by a Turkish terrorist Mehmet Ali Agcę in the abdomen and hand. Protection transported John Paul II to the Gemelli hospital, where the pope was a long operation. For the full health, however, never came back. The Pope believed that their salvation does not depend only on luck. He expressed the words: One hand shot and the other guiding the ball

3. Mariusz Pudzianowski

He was born on 7 Februar 1977 in Biała Rawska.

He is a Polish sport's man , professional Strongman and rugby player. He is a member of The World Strongman Cup Federation.

Mariusz Pudzianowski has trained force sports since 7 December 1990. His first competition was Championship of Poland in poises lifting. When he was 16 his record was 160 kg. Two years later he lifted 205 kg. Since his first start in Championship of Poland he was the best ten times.

He has trained karate kyokushin since he was 11, now he has 4^th kyu. For 7 years he has trained boxing. His first start in Strongman Competition was on 1 May 1999 in Płock.

Mariusz Pudzianowski spent 14 months (in years 2000-2001) in prison, because he beated another person.

In 2005 he made „Pudzian Academy” (school of physical defence).

His sizes:

• biceps 56 cm

• neck 54 cm

• weight 132 kg

• height 186 cm

His victoires:

1999

• first place in Poland Trophy in Strongman Competition

• third place with his team in Worldchampionship Strongman in China

2007

• first place in Europeanchampionship Strongman in Łódź

• first place in Super Series

• first place in Poland Trophy in Strzegom

• first place in Worldchampionship in Kalifornia

4. Stanisław Lem

He ( 12 September 1921 – 27 March 2006), was a Polish science fiction, philosophical and satirical writer. His books have been translated into 41 languages and have sold over 27 million copies. Parents Stanisława Lema, Savin Woller and Samuel Lehm, engagement else before first world war, however, marriage has proceeded after it, because Samuel Lem, Lvov physician, it has been appointed for service in austria-hungary army. Stanisław Lem was only child.

He was born 12 september 1921 in Lwów. Lem was worked as car mechanic and weld in garages of German firm Rohstofferfassung, which dealt with recycling of metal. It cooperated with movement of contumacy, from german compositions stolen ammunition transferring it. He was taken medical studios in Crakow on Jagiellonian University. Lem made his literary debut in 1946 as a poet, and at that time he also published several dime novels. Stanisław Lem was ill on heart. He was died 27 march 2006 in clinical hospital called Collegium Medicum UJ in Crakow, have 84 years old.

Honors

1. 1957 – City of Kraków's Prize in Literature

2. 1965 – Prize of the Minister of Culture and Art, 2nd Level

3. 1973 – Prize of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for popularization of Polish culture abroad

4. 1972 – member of commission "Poland 2000" of the Polish Academy of Sciences

5. 1973 – Literary Prize of the Minister of Culture and Art and honorary member of Science Fiction Writers of America

6. 1976 – State Prize 1st Level in the area of literature

7. 1979 – Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere for his novel Katar.

8. 1981 – Doctor honoris causa honorary degree from the Wrocław Polytechnic

9. 1986 – Austrian State Prize for European Literature

10. 1991 – Austrian literary Franz Kafka Prize

11. 1994 – member of the Polish Academy of Learning

12. 1996 – recipient of the Order of the White Eagle

13. 1997 – honorary citizen of Crakow

14. 1998 – Doctor honoris causa: University of Opole, Lwow University, Jagiellonian University

15. 2003 – Doctor honoris causa of the University of Bielefeld

5. Bogusław Linda

He was born on 27 June 1952 in Torun.

He has two sons and a daughter

He is a Polish actor and director, graduated from the Cracow Theater School, co-founder and lecturer at the Warsaw Film School.

He acted in Dogs , Kroll, Dogs, Daddy , Operation simoom, Quo Vadis, Sara, Reich.

His first major role was in the anarchist Gryziak fever Agnieszka Holland (1980). Later he played, among others in a single woman (1981) of the same director, in "Man of Iron" by Andrzej Wajda,

Filmography from 2005 to 2009:
2005 - Wild 2: Duel as Marian Ptaszyński "Ptasior"

2005 - The time surfers as Dżoker

2006 - Jasminum as actor Zeman

2006 - Summer love as Sheriff

2006 - A clear blue window as Artur, husband Beaty

2007 - Who governs here? (TV series) as Tomek Czajka

2007 - The right of the city as a father Jagi

2009 - Three minutes. 21:37 as a painter

2009 - The mystery of Westerplatte as major Henryk Sucharski

6. Marek Kondrat

Marek Kondrat, borned on 18 November 1950 (Cracow), is a famous Polish actor and a film director. When he was a child, he played he’s first role in a Polish film 'Historia żółtej ciżemki'. Marek’s main debut was in 'Zaklęte rewiry' in 1975 and that year he also got the first award handed by Polish weekly magazine 'Film' He became very famous thanks to the role in a television serial 'Ekstradycja'. He also performed in Warsaw’s theatre scene : Dramatic (1973-1984, 1987-1988) New Comedy (1989) Too Far (1990) and many others

Some of his starrings:

Kiler-ów 2-óch (1999)

Bill Diamond (1999)

Złoto dezerterów (1998)

Siedlisko (1998)

Ekstradycja 3 (1998),

Pułapka (1997)

Pokój 107 (1997)

Kiler (1997)

Słodko gorzki (1996)

Słaba wiara (1996)

Nocne graffiti (1996)

Danton (1982)

Yokohama (1981)

Dreszcze (1981)

Some of his film awards:

2006 - "Unkenrufe" – Eagle, Polish film award( nomination)

Category: For the best second plan actor

2005-“Third’ – Viareggio – “Platinum Award’ – for a best actor

2003-“Dzień Świra – Eagle , Polish film award

Category: For the best first plan actor

2002 – “Weiser” – Eagle - Polish film award (nomination)

Category: best actor

1999 – "Prawo ojca" – Gdynia (Polish Festival of fiction actors)

1977 – "Zaklęte rewiry" – Panama - actor’s award

7. Adam Małysz

He comes from Wisła- he was born there. His nationality is Polish. He is a famous sportsman. He jumps on the ski. He is 30 years old and he has already been the World Champion a few times. Adam says that skiing is the traditional sport in Wisła. But it is not easy to ski well. You have to exercise a lot. Adam Małysz has to do many strange things to be such a good sportsman. He can eat only very healthy things. His meals consist of fruits, vegetables, fish and salads. Adam has to have trainings every day for the whole week. He can spend very little time with his family. He has to travel all over the world to train and to take part in the competitions. He has a wife and a daughter. His family stays at home when he travels around the world and takes part in competitions. He gets really much money for his job. When he wins competitions, he earns even more. That's why he wants to win each competition. All people in Poland hope, that he will jump so well for a long time. He makes Polish people proud.

8. Mikołaj Koerpnik

Mikołaj Kopernik was born in Toruń, in 19 February1473. He was a son of Mikołaj and Barbara who were merchants. He had two sisters and one brother. After the death of his father Mikołaj was given under the charge of his uncle who later became a bishop. His uncle was well educated and cultural person. He wanted the same for young boy so he sent Mikołaj to the secondary school in Toruń and after that he went to study at university in Cracow. He finished his studies in 1495 and in the same year he took the holy orders at the hands of his uncle. In 1496 he went to Bolonia to start another studies. He was studing law there. In 1500 he worked as an apprentice in the papal office. After one year he was given a permition to start another studies in Padwa. This time he wanted to study medicine. He finished both his studies in 1503.

After his abroad studies he came back to Poland and he was warking as a personal doctor of the bishop of Warmia. From that time he was developing his interests in astronomy. In 1513 he prepeared and sent to Rome his project of the calendar reform. He was so interested in astronomy that he built the instruments to watch the sky. In 1517 he wrote the treatise "Meditata" and two years later he wrote "Tractatus de monetis" concerning the matter about the money.

His most important composition was "De " were he contained his heliocentric theory. The theory said that the Sun is in a middle of the Solar System, the Earth is a planet and like the rest of them it goes round the Sun. Mikołaj Kopernik died few weeks after his composition had been printed, in 1543. His theory has changed the view about the Earth and the outlook on life. It was also a basis of modern science. On the beginning it was allowed by the church to be read but later it was prohibited and put on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. However, the book was banned it had more and more supporters like Kepler, Giordano Bruno, Galileo. The composition was crossed off the Index in 1835. He is considered as one of the biggest astronomer not only in Poland but also all over the world.

1. The biggest cities

1. GDAŃSK

Location: North Poland

Area: 262 km2 (101.2 sq mi)

Population: 457,630 people

Motto : ,,Nec Temere, Nec Timide,,
(Neither rashness nor timidity)

Description:

Gdańsk is the one of the biggest port city in Poland at the centre of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Poland. The city has 455, 717 people. It was established in 10th century. The city lies on the southern edge of the Baltic Sea. In a conurbation with Sopot and Gdynia form metropolitan area called the Tricity. The World War II began in Gdańsk, with a bombardment of Polish positions at Westerplatte by the German battleship. The city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of Gdańsk political activist Lech Wałęsa, played a major role in bringing an end to communist rule across Central Europe. Gdańsk is a very important place of science and economy. You can find music academy, medical university ,schoo

l of banking etc.

Gdańsk is one of the biggest cultural centre in North Poland. You will see few theatres, cinemas , operas and philharmonic. Also you can visit museums.

Main sights

The city Has many buildings from Hans

eatic League. Most attractions are located near Ulica Długa(Long Street) and Długi Targ (Long Market). This part of city is called 'Royal way'

Royal Way includes:

• Upland Gate

• Torture House

• Prison Tower

• Golden Gate

• Long Street

• Uphagen House

• Main Town Hall

• Arthur’s Court

• Neptune Fountain

• Golden House

• Green Gate

Neptune's Fountain in the center of the Long Market was first erected in 1549.

Royal Chapel of the polish King John III Sobieski was built in baroque

Green Gate was built between 1568-1571 to serve as the formal residence of Polish monarchs

Long Market by night

When you want travel to ...

another place in Gdańsk or Poland there’s a lot of means of transport like: International airport Seaport, Urban transportation service

typical Gdańsk tram

2. Cracow

Krakow is located in the southern part of Poland on the Vistula River, 219 meters above sea level. The population is about 760,000 of inhabitants.

Here, in the year 1000 a Roman Catholic bishopric was founded and a royal castle was built on Wawel Hill. It which was a burial place of kings. Krakow was the capital of Poland from the 11th to the 17th century. In 1364, the Krakow Academy was established. It was the first Polish university. Today it is Jagiellonian University.

The biggest tourist attractions are Royal Castle on the Wawel Hill, The Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, Kazimierz Disctrict. In order to have breakfast in a nice atmosphere you can go to Prowincja Café on Szewska, where students usually meet. For lunch you can go to traditional Wierzynek Restaurant on Grodzka Street, and in the evening you can visit some of the most popular pubs in Kazimierz, the Jewish District, like Alchemia or Singer, where you can also listen to live music.

3. Wroclaw

1. Location

Wroclaw, the capital of Lower Silesia, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland. Located in th south Poland, at the foot of the Sudety Mountains, on the Oder River, It is a unique city of 12 islands and more than a hundred bridges.

2. Population

Wroclaw is the fourth-largest city in Poland, composed of approximately 650 thousand. residents. It is the largest university in the country. Mental life is structured around the university with the university.

3. Description.

3.1.History.
In the beginning there was a small settlement which has grown up on The Oder river. The name of Wrocław probably came from Czech prince Wratysław. The City became bigger, more important for politics of Poland. Now it is a capital of The Lower Silesia.

3.2 Entertainment.

In Wrocław there are many places worth seeing. Particularly well known are the botanical garden,

zoo, Japanese garden

a gallery of contemporary art. Very well-known and frequently visited site is the Panorama Racławicka. In Wrocław there are also a lot of interesting parks.

Wrocław is a wonderful city as well as in daylight

and at night.

4. Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It is the largest city in Poland.

LOCATION:

It is placed in midle-east Poland, on The Wisła River.

POPULATION:

There live about 1,7 million people.

SIZE OF WARSAW:

The city area is 516,9 square kilometers. Warsaw is the 8th biggest city in The European Union.

Warsaw's monuments:

• The Palace on the water

Other name the Baths Palace. It was built by architect Tylman van Gameren.on an islet in the mittle of the lake. In 1764–95 it was completely remodeled by Domenico Merlini to fulfil King Stanisław August Poniatowski's need to have a private residence.

• The Sejm building

• The metro station Plac Wilsona

• The Palace of Culture and Science

Construction started in 1952 and went on to1955 . The building was originally known as the Józef Stalin. The building generally is an exhibition centre.

• The Great Theater

It is a theater complex and opera company located on historic Theater Square in Warsaw. It was complete destruction in II world war and was rebuilt in 1965.

• The Royal Castle and the King Sigismund' Column

Entertainment in Warsaw

In Warsaw is a lot of culture places: The National Theatre, The Great Theatre, The National Philharmonic Hall, The National Museum, and cinemas.

In Warsaw is the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition. There are also the Golden Terraces shopping centre.

Short history of Warsaw:

1313 – first documents about Warsaw

1529 – first time of the General Sejm

1816 - The Royal University of Warsaw

1943 - Jewish fighters launched the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

1979 – first visit the pope Jan Paweł II in Poland (Victory Square in Warsaw)

5. Toruń

Location: Voivodeship: kujawsko-pomorskie

First settlement will emerge year before our era 9000

Surfach: 115,72 km²

Population: 206 346

Monuments:

Nicholas Copernicus Monument

The Leaning Tower

Rafter's Monument

Churches on the Old Town

Houses in the Old Town Market

Other interesting houses

Streets: Piekary, Kopernika, Ducha św.

Rabiańska street

Streets: Żeglarska and Chełmińska

Łazienna street

Streets: Mostowa and Podmurna

Streets: Małe Garbary and Wielkie Garbary

New Town Market

Castles

City gates

Because here they can witness the layout of streets of Toruń Old Town, which has not been changed for centuries, the most beautiful panorama of English - of the medieval illuminated part of the city seen from the Vistula River side, Nicolaus Copernicus birth house - the famous son of Toruń, silent arches of St. Johns Cathedral - where the great Astronomer was baptized, the tomb of Princess Anna Wazówna in Saint Mary Church, the Town Hall of unique beauty, whose courtyard remembers the "Toruń Mutiny" drowned in blood in 1724 ...

Torun - as all cities with rich history - has its own magical places. Tourists and citizens of Toruń point at a lane near The Leaning Tower, arches between apartment houses in Ciasna street, spacious Philadelphia Boulevard, whole area of the Old Town Market, constantly crowded Broad Street and the Dream Valley hugging the Old Town. Parts of Toruń's climate are also traditional meetings near the rafter's Monument, playing his fiddles for the frogs and Nicolaus Copernicus - who "stopped the Sun and moved the Earth".

Recreation:

Torun is very amusement this city as well as historically cultural. Many cafes, pubs, restaurants, and museums, planetarium, theaters, cinemas, swimming pools, sports centers. There are two sports clubs Apator Toruń and Elana Toruń football club.

6. Zakopane

Zakopane is the one of most beautiful cities in South of Poland. There lives about 27 thousand people. In this city we can meet a lot of famous people because Zakopane is very popular. There are many interesting places where we can have a lot of fun. Every year in Zakopane World Championship Ski Jump takes place. Every last years aur star Adam Małysz gave us a lot of reasons to pride. Jn Zakopane we can go on Kasprowy Wierch where are many beautiful views, we can get there on foot cable railway. I thing that Zakopane is the greatest place to spend winter and summer holiday.