Poland Tour - Krakow, A Land of Imagination and Longing

Poets: Milosz, Rozewicz, Herbert, Szymborska Novelists: Hanna Krall Filmmakers: Kieslowski Composers: Gorecki, Penderecki, Preisner Artists: Wyspianski and others Poland Tour - Krakow,  A Land of Imagination and Longing Contemporary Cultural Responses to Oppression Poland is a country of contrasts and surprises. Many in the West associate Poland only with a dark and tragic history of oppression by just about every neighbour from Prussia to Nazi Germany to the USSR/Russia. Poland has, nonetheless, cultivated its own long and rich tradition of literary, scientific, musical and artistic expression. Polish history boasts such names as Copernicus, Chopin, Curie, and Conrad. Perhaps this history provided the seeds of Poland ' s rich tradition of literary, musical, and artistic expression. With the implosion of the Soviet Union in 1989 Poland has witnessed a new and spirited flourishing of contemporary creative culture. The ancient city of Krakow, Poland founded over a thousand years ago and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a wonderful place to consider the imaginative expression of The Other Poland. This beautiful city represents much of the historical, cultural, and intellectual heart of the nation. Krakow has survived virtually intact from its earliest medieval days, making it possible to walk and marvel in a city where the stones truly tell the stories of its past. The historic, such as the Royal Castle and Europe's largest medieval market square, is complemented by a vibrant caf life and a multitude of summer festivals. Other areas of Krakow hold painful memories: Spielberg shot Schindler's List on location in the original Jewish part of the town, Kazimierz.   (please note - this tour is not scheduled for 2007, but please contact us using the above form to inquire about future dates or to arrange a specialized group tour.) Discussion Leader(s): Anna Passakas is a visual artist who lives and works in Toronto. She holds an M.A. in Literature and Comparative Religion from Jagiellonian University in Krakow where she grew up. Mark Cwik is a self-employed designer and builder of wood furniture. He formerly worked at the Great Books Foundation, and currently leads several book discussion groups in the Chicago area. Krakow native Krzysztof Koehler is a poet and professor of Polish literature at Warsaw University. He will be our discussion leader and local guide, augmented by talks, walks, and discussions with other local experts on Polish history and contemporary Polish music and art. Advertisement: Location: Krakow, Poland Fees: $2,995 U.S. $540 U.S. single supplement Fees include accommodation, ground transportation, two meals a day, daily discussion, walking tours, books talks, excursions, and admissions. Accomodations: Hotel Pod Roza ul. Florianska 14 7 nights. Tsar Alexander I, Balzac and Franz Liszt are among the guests to have stayed here in times gone by. After a thorough refurbishment, Pod Roza ('Under the Rose') has again taken its place as one of the most elegant and charming hotels in Krakow. Authors: Poets: Milosz, Rozewicz, Herbert, Szymborska Novelists: Hanna Krall Filmmakers: Kieslowski Composers: Gorecki, Penderecki, Preisner Artists: Wyspianski and others Advertisement: