Kosciuszko Foundation in Washington DC - Past Events

10 Years in Washington DC

Monday, August 10, 2020

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Ten Years in the US Capital - Kosciuszko Foundation in Washington DC, by Barbara Bernhardt

In 2010, a beautiful townhouse in the heart of Washington DC which for almost 20 years served as an American Center for Polish Culture has been gifted to the Kosciuszko Foundation. Our almost 100 years old organization found its representation in the US capital. 

Three years later, in 2013, I was offered the position of a representative of the KF in Washington DC. Representing the Foundation was a great honor and representing Poland and its culture in the US capital – a dream come true. 

For the last seven years, during which I became the director of the DC Center, I have been doing what I love most: organizing cultural events, filling the Center with music, art, inspiring discussions, commemorating important anniversaries, celebrating holidays, cooperating with the Polish Embassy and other local Polish organizations and most of all meeting and hosting countless fascinating people. Bringing my beloved Poland closer to the US became my purpose and main objective. 

For the last seven years, during which I became the director of the DC Center, I have been doing what I love most: organizing cultural events, filling the Center with music, art, inspiring discussions, commemorating important anniversaries, celebrating holidays, cooperating with the Polish Embassy and other local Polish organizations and most of all meeting and hosting countless fascinating people. Bringing my beloved Poland closer to the US became my purpose and main objective. 

Each fall, we have been organizing fundraising dinner galas that have been taking place in the historical Mayflower Hotel and gathering hundreds of guests from the Polish American communities. We have been honoring great artists, scientists, diplomats, outstanding Poles, and Polonia members r Americans of Polish descend. 

Each summer, we have been celebrating a Polish Day – an open house with lots of fun activities, performances, games, art exhibits, and traditional Polish lunch, prepared for us by the Polish Embassy's Chef. 

Each December, there have been beautiful festive Christmas celebrations with Polish Wigilia and caroling together.

Classical and jazz concerts, Polish food and vodka or beer tastings, karaoke, meetings with authors, panel discussions, art shows, children events, and members meetings transformed our townhouse on O Street into a Little Poland. 

2020 brought us – along with all other cultural centers – to a full stop. The Kosciuszko Foundation moved online and continues its mission virtually. We still want to stay connected and present in our community!

Please find us on Facebook where all the online programs are announced and were you will find a link to the Kosciuszko TV – our YouTube channel with interviews, music, panel discussions, and more.

We launched two series:

IMPROMPTU SERIES  - conversations with the inspiring artsists:

1. Film maker Agnieszka Holland, hosted by Barbara Bernhardt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1xXhOULKE&t=1269s

2. Pianist Krzysztof Jabłoński, hosted by Martin Labazevitch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe8DsLmJSuE&t=62s

3. Film maker Lech Majewski, hosted by Anna Tarnawska

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgYJsCAZIjA&t=57s

4. Opera singer Tomasz Konieczny, hosted by Barbara Bernhardt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9gXknshoao&t=1s

5. Artist Rafal Olbinski, hosted by Anna Tarnawska

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_550UTE8Sz0&t=41s

6. Pianist Alexander Kobrin, hosted by Martin Labazevitch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usg_MrDPYhE&t=955s

7. Autor Piotr Machalica, hosted by Barbara Bernhardt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lC31DBQ-M&t=238s

Quarantine Jazz Series - short jazz concerts and conversations with the musicians, hosted by Leszek Strzelecki

1. Aleksander Debicz 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya9raulpzzU&t=397s

2. Jerzy Maczyński

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkSYacRD28w

3. Krystian Jaworz & Magda Pluta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY2Ojjjx_5Y&t=85s

4. Bogna Kicinski & Kuba Cichocki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PmzVMaNZH8&t=61s

5. Krzysztof Medyna & Andrzej Winnicki & Michał Winnicki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85vlUA5Vi18&t=263s

6. Piotr Schmidt & Gabriel Niedziela

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H04A-_3vhGg&t=68s

7. Adam Makowicz & Krzysztof Medyna & Jay Dengler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoCxZi6L3Vo&t=437s

All online programs are free of charge and available to everyone. 

We hope to bring you some comfort, entertainment, encouragement, and inspiration. Please follow us online and please leave us your thoughts and comments.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary in Washington DC we invite you to celebrate with us!  

We need your support now more than ever! Hoping that we will be able to gather in person again soon, we ask you to consider joining us now, when we still need to maintain our Center while all fundraising activities have stopped. 

We needed to postpone our Gala this year, the main fundraising event of the year. 

Please make a donation, renew your membership, or become a new Kosciuszko Foundation member! 

Thanks to our members and supporters, who believe and share the mission of bringing a deeper understanding and appreciation for Polish culture we are able to continue our long presence in the United States.

Your membership not only supports us monetary but also provides a testimony that our presence in the US capital is needed and appreciated.

You may make your donation online: https://www.thekf.org/kf/support/donate/

-       please type Washington DC Chapter in the box This donation is in honor of…

You may become a member or renew your membership:https://www.thekf.org/kf/support/membership/

-       please chose KFDC Chapter

or by mailing your check directly to our Center: 

The Kosciuszko Foundation

2025 O Str., N.W. Washington, DC 20036

 Thank you! Dziękujemy! 

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