Room With a View, Krakow

Klezmer Hois - Jewish style restaurant and hotel

krakowroom — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:28:08 +0000

KLEZMER HOIS (KLEZMER’s HOUSE) is located in the heart of “Kazimierz”, formerly Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. Right between Miodowa Street and Starowislna Street in the former Mykva building, it is just 70 meters from the famous Remuh Synagogue. With its special atmosphere, artistic climate, live concerts of klezmer music and finest cuisine it is unique place and many think it reassembles the pre-World War II tradition of Jewish Kazimierz.

KLEZMER HOIS is a small Hotel able to accommodate up to 30 guests but also a fine restaurant providing the taste of original Jewish cuisine. Customers can choose amongst many starters, soups, main dishes and deserts. Make sure you try their beetroot soup with cabbage rolls or broth with matza balls. Amongst many delicious main dishes we recommend their Turkey with Almonds or Chicken in Honey and Ginger Sauce. Tasty dessert would accomplish such meal. Occasional live klezmer music makes it a really genuine experience. Afterwards you can take a nice walk over the Kazimierz, visit Galicia Jewish Museum or one of many synagogues.

Centralwings and other cheap airlines down

krakowroom — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:42:54 +0000

Have you heard about airlines being cheap some time in the past. You may as well forget it. There is another bad news from cheap airlines world which may have a great impact on international tourism. Centralwings - a polish company which belongs to LOT just cancelled few of not many remaining flights to Warsaw and Krakow. Providing the lowest standard of service and really steep prices during tourists season just cancelled most of European connections. Instead they offer ‘cheap’ flights with their mother-company LOT. To be honest when prices start with £500 so hardly anyone could call that cheap. Same is just about to happen to other cheap airlines. So, unfortunately my report this time is - fewer flights to Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk.

Sukiennice - Cloth Hall

krakowroom — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:21:27 +0000

Sukiennice (Cloth Hall, Drapers’ Hall) is one of the Krakow’s most recognizable icons. Located in the very centre of Krakow’s Market Square once upon a time served as a centre of international trade, nowadays a surrounded with caffes and galleries tourists attraction and… a centre of souvenir shopping.

Sukiennice was Krakow’s first market place for most of what was interesting for merchant to import and sell since the beginning of 15th century. Spices, silk, leather and wax, everything except for salt which was taken from locally founded Salt Mine in Wieliczka. As the city’s position on economical map of Europe has declined in 17th century, Cloth Hall went downhill along with it.

Other, very similar cloth halls have existed in other Polish as well as other European cities. To mention couple of them - Ypres, Belgium; Braunschweig, Germany; and in Leeds, England.

Wianki + Jamiroquai concert i Krakow

krakowroom — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:35:26 +0000

Wianki - Krakow’s Midsummer Festival will he held, as always, on 21 June. As early as 12 o’clock you can attend the competition for the most beautiful maidenhead. Prepare one for yourself - rural believes say that if it’s fished out by Mr. Right you can already start stretching your ears to hear the wedding bells. After that you’re welcome to some music concerts. Artists are June, Bisquit, Mosqitoo, Loco Star, Novika, Smolik. Enjoy. The big event is Jamiroquai concert which is followed by fireworks display. Attend, Enjoy, have a funky evening!

Hebrew Calligraphy Workshop in Krakow

krakowroom — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:41:51 +0000

Any interest in hebrew calligraphy - come to Krakow. To learn a lot about the hebrew lettering art you just have to attend a seminar/workashop by Ewa Gordon. The events accompany 18th Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow. - more info in Jewish Festival’s program. One hint - sign up in advance - as the Jewish culture is still in bloom, the workshop has been very successful in the recent years and late entry may be impossible.

6th Pierogi Festival in Krakow - Dumplings Festival

krakowroom — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:21:35 +0000

Pierogi - dumplings - is a simple dish with big tradition of making and eating them in Poland. When you put together couple of rather simple things, such as flour, an egg, and white cheese, make a dough, fill it and boil you just have made pierogi. When you put couple of them on a plate you have a tasty dish of staple food. When you gather plenty of people from all around the world that make pierogi you have Pierogi Festival - the Festival of Dumplings. The number 6th in 2008, is held on 15th and 16th of August . It aim is to promote the richness of Old Polish cuisine among Polish and foreign tourists. The Festival is accompanied by tasting sessions, fairs, artistic events and competitions. You can also vote for the best or lousy dumplings.

13th Summer Jazz Festival at the Cellar under Rams - Piwnica Pod Baranami

krakowroom — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:50:06 +0000

Here is a good news fot jazz fans. Piwnica pod Baranami - famous polish cabaret is a home for 13th Summer Jazz Festival in Krakow. It will set off with “New Orleans Sunday ” on 6th July 2008, and finish August 3rd 2008 with Max Klezmer Band. Enjoy and stay jazzy! More info available on www.cracjazz.com

Programe:

“New Orleans Sunday ” - 6th July , at 12-24 pm, - Joyful and popular jazz feast at 12-4 pm. Concerts on the Main Market (Rynek Główny), at 5 pm. New Orleans Parade, at 6 pm. Concerts at the Szczepański Square, at 8 pm. ball at Nowy Square performed by: Sveriges Jazzband (Sweden), Dixie Band (USA), Little Jazz Band (Hungary), Jerzy “Duduś” Matuszkiewicz, JBBO I Wojciech Karolak, Boba Jazz Band, Beale Street Band,

Opening Concert -”KRAKOW SAXOPHONE SUMMIT” at Krakow’s Philharmnic Hall , - 7th July at 7 pm, performed by: I part: Janusz Muniak Quartet featuring Lee Konitz, Adam Pierończyk featuring Trio Greg Osby, II part: Branford Marsalis Quartet,

“Krakow’s Night of Jazz” - 19th July , at 06 pm - 02 am, concerts at the Szczepański Square, at 6-11 pm., performed by: Nuevo Tango Ensamble & Gabriele Mirabassi (Italy), Bertrand Ravalard Quartet (France) , The Core (Norway), Alex Deutsch Trio (Austria) , Urszula Dudziak-PAPAYA Show concerts at scene NA DACHU at Nowy Square, at 6-10 pm., performed by: Funk de Nite & Bryan Corbett, Petsteppers (Cyprus) Night Club’s Concerts, at 10 pm. - 02 am., at clubs: Piec Art, Piwnica pod Baranami, Harris Piano, Alchemia, U Muniaka, Drukarnia

The Final Concert - 2nd August. at 8 pm, at the Under the Rams Palace yard, performed by: Laboratorium, Eddie Henderson & Leszek Kulakowski Group

July 7th - Sveriges Jazzband

July 8th - Monty Waters & Kazimierz Jonkisz Quintet

July 9th - JBBO

July 10th - K.Ścierański /B.Maseli/P.Gembalski

July 11th - Adam Kawończyk Quartet

July 12th - Marek Bałata Group

July 13th - New Bone

July 14th - J.Śmietana/W.Karolak/Yarron/A.Czerwiński Quartet

July 15th - W.Karolak/J.Śmietana/A.Czerwiński Trio

July 16th - Jan Jarczyk Group feat. Andzrej Olejniczak

July 17th - Raul Soot & Jacek Kochan & Co

July 18th - Bertrand Ravalard Quartet

July 19th - Krakowska Noc Jazzu

July 20th - Christoph Pepe Auer/Manu Delago Duo

July 21th - Inga Lewandowska/Kuba Stankiewicz Group

July 22th - Bronisław Suchanek -Dominik Wania Duo

July 23th - Tomasz Grochot Quintet

July 24th - Trio RGG

July 25th - Wojciech Staroniewicz “Alternations”

July 26th - Krzysztof Herdzin Trio

July 27th - Uraz Kivaner Quartet

July 28th - Kattorna

July 29th - Joonatan Rautio / Dominik Bukowski Quartet

July 30th - Maciej Grzywacz Quartet feat.Tyler Hornby & Jim Branon

July 31th - Damage Control -C.Konrad/A.Baldych/P. Zaczek/P. Tomaszewski

August 1st - Piotr Wyleżoł Trio

August 3rd, at 8 pm,- Harris: Max Klezmer Band

Celine Dion concert in June in Krakow

krakowroom — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:15:23 +0000

Big event for the fans of Celine Dion - a concert for estimated 60,000 people will be held in Blonia, 15 minutes walk from the Main Square of Krakow. Known for her beautiful voice the artist will perform on a 2 hour concert promoting her latest album entitled ‘Taking Chances’. Apart from newest songs Celine will sing her biggest hits. Additionally there will be lots of other concerts and accompanying events - games for kids, and couple of concerts of polish bands.

18th Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, July 2008

krakowroom — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:32 +0000

As always the month June brings the famous Jewish Culture Festival to Krakow, one of the biggest and the most acclaimed Krakow’s events - with the number 18 in 2008. Here we publish a preliminary program of that event. Do not miss it if you are in Krakow in June.

Friday, June 27, 2008

08:44 PM Kabbalat Shabbat - the Receiving of Shabbat Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24

Saturday, June 28, 2008

09:00 AM Shabbat morning prayer Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
12:00 PM Exhibition opening: Phorographs of Ze’v Aleksandrowicz from his journey to Japan (1934-1935)
Manggha Museum, ul. M. Konopnickiej 26
12:00 PM Menashe’s Dream, performance based on I.B. Singer by Adam Sroka Courtyard of Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
01:00 PM Exhibition: Jewish Artists in Krakow between 1873-1939 Muzeum Historyczne Miasta Krakowa, Stara Synagoga, ul. Szeroka 24
02:00 PM Exhibition opening: Made in Israel - Historical Posters and Photographs from Palestine and Israel organized with the Farkas Gallery in Yaffo. Muzeum Inżynierii Miejskiej, ul. Św. Wawrzyńca 15
03:00 PM Exhibition: Windows of Yearning, Windows of Hope- Nili Epstein and Szewach Weiss (Israel) “Grodzka” Gallery, ul. Grodzka 42
03:30 PM Exhibition: House of Children Debra Pearlman’s instalation (USA) Former Prayer House, ul. Meiselsa 18
04:00 PM Meeting with Avraham B. Yehoshua (Israel) Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
04:30 PM “Exhibition: Illustration of Bible - exhibition of contest entries Muzeum Etnograficzne im. Seweryna Udzieli, ul. Krakowska 46
05:00 PM
Exhibition: Podglądani przez niebo” - Glass painting exhibition of Alina Towarnicka-Allerhand (Poland)
Galerie d`Naif, ul. Józefa 11
06:00 PM Exhibition Opening: Unpainted Jew - XIX-century woodcuts from the collection of Alicja Schottlas. Exhibition organized jointly with Beit Warszawa.
Wysoka Synagogue, ul. Józefa 38
10:00 PM CONCERT Waiting for the Nightingale: Rare Gems of Yiddish Song and Klezmer Music, Original and Traditional - Deborah Strauss, Jeff Warschauer and Michael Alpert (USA) Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
10:19 PM Melaveh Malka - The Farewell to the Sabbath Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24

Sunday, June 29, 2008

09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazmierz (in Polish), led by Anna Kiesell (Krakow) starting point: Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazmierz (in English), led by Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia(Krakow) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
10:30 AM
-12:00 PM Open Meetings - workshop led by Anna Dodziuk VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
10:30 AM The Krakow Poetry Salon Juliusz Slowacki Theatre, pl. Św. Ducha 1
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Workshops: Yiddish language, led by Przemysław Piekarski, Julia Makosz & Urszula Makosz (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
11:00 AM Menashe’s Dream, performance based on I.B. Singer by Adam Sroka Courtyard of Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
12:00 PM Preserving Memory - Ceremony of Honouring Poles Preserving Jewish Memory organized by the Museum of History of Polish Jews. Galicia Musuem, ul. Dajwór 18
12:00 PM Retracing Krakow Rabbis - tour of Kazimierz with Agneiszka Legutko-Ołownia (in Polish) beginning: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
12:00 PM Visiting Judaica collection of the National Museum in Krakow with Anna Lebet-Minakowska National Museum in Krakow, al. 3 Maja 1
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Concert Classics at Lunchtime: Kaja Danczowska (violin, Poland), Jeremy Findlay (cello, Canada) and Ellen Braslavsky (piano, USA) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
12:30 PM Walk around the site of the Krakow Ghetto, led by Anna Pióro (in Polish) starting point: Apteka Pod Orłem Museum, pl. Bohaterów Getta 18
02:00 PM “Hamentaszen - how Jewish nation wondefully survived” - workshops for children, led by: Marta Sztwiertnia Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie, al. 3 Maja 1
03:00 PM Photographic Exhibition Opening: Tzadikim Graves - Sara Farenheimer and David Ben-Uziel (Israel) Center for Jewish Culture , ul. Meiselsa 17
04:00 PM
-05:30 PM Lecture: Israel - 60 Years: Meeting with David Peleg, Israeli Ambassador in Poland. Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
05:00 PM FILM Hebrew Lesson, dir. David Ofek (Israel), 2007 Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
07:00 PM Concert: Itzchak Meir Helfgot (Israel), Azi Schwartz (Israel), Benzion Miller (USA), accompaniment: Daniel Gildar (USA), Neimah Cantors’ Choir (UK), conductor: Marc Temerlies (UK)
Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24

Monday, June 30, 2008

09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazimierz (in Polish), led by Anna Kiesell (Krakow) starting point: Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
09:00 AM
-10:30 AM Workshops: Hebrew Language, led by Maciej Tomal (Poland) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazmierz (in English), led by Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia(Krakow) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
10:00 AM
-11:30 AM Klezmer Basic - Klezmer Workshops for beginners, led by Sanne Moricke (Germany) and Deborah Strauss (USA)
VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
10:30 AM
-12:00 PM Open Meetings - workshop led by Anna Dodziuk VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Israel - Workshops for Children, led by Etel Szyc and Monika Krajewska (Poland) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Workshops: Yiddish language, led by Przemysław Piekarski, Julia Makosz & Urszula Makosz (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Lecture: Basic Judaism: Chief Rabbi of Krakow Boaz Pash Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Drumming workshops with Shlomo Bar (Israel), accompaniment by Menashe Sasson and Ilan Ben-Ami (Israel) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
12:30 PM
-02:00 PM Workshops: Jewish Dance, led by Steven Weintraub (USA), accompaniment by Jeff Warschauer, Deborah Strauss and Stu Brotman (USA)
SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
12:30 PM Walk around the site of the former Krakow Ghetto, led by Anna Pióro (in Polish) starting point: Muzeum Apteka Pod Orłem, pl. Bohaterów Getta 18
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Paper-cutting, led by Anna Małecka- Beiersdorf (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Hasidic Singing, led by Cantor Benzion Miller (USA), accompaniment by Daniel Gildar (USA) Center for Jewish Culture, ul. Meiselsa 17
02:00 PM Visiting New Jewish Cemetery (in English), led by Anna Kiesell (Krakow) starting point: ul. Miodowa 55
02:00 PM
-03:30 PM Lecture: Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett (USA), A Jewish hildhood in Poland Before the Holocaust in Images and Words Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Cooking, led by Hanna Kossowska (Poland) Hotel Eden, ul. Ciemna 15
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Hebrew Calligraphy, led by Ewa Gordon (Krakow) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Genealogy workshops, led by Anna Przybyszewska & Yale Reisner (Poland) Galicia Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
03:00 PM Retracing Krakow Rabbis - tour of Kazimierz with Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia (in English)
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Workshops: A Klyamke Mit A Tir: Yiddish Singing led by Jeff Warschauer & Deborah Strauss (USA) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Discovering Kazimierz-Towards Israel - artistic workshops led by Sylwia Liszka and Agnieszka Wozowicz (Kraków) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
04:00 PM
-05:30 PM Lecture: Israel - 60 Years: Eli Barbur (Israel) Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
04:30 PM
-06:00 PM Workshops: Hasidic Dance, led by Jill Gellerman (USA), with the accompaniment byThe Festival Hasidic Dance Band SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
05:00 PM Meeting with Ellen Ruth Gruber (USA) Klezmer Hois, ul. Szeroka 6
05:00 PM Film: Song of David dir. Oded Turgeman (20 min., 2007, USA)) and Orthodox Stance dir. Jason Hutt (82 min., 2007, USA) Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
05:30 PM Concert Between Two Synagogues: Cantor Benzion Miller (USA), accompaniment by Daniel Gildar (USA) ul. Ciemna 15
07:00 PM Concert: Zohar Fresco and Daniel Zamir (Israel) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
10:00 PM Concert: La diaspora Sefardi - Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI (Spain)
Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
12:00 PM Jazz Klez Session: Paul Brody (USA), Oy Division (Israel) Alchemia, ul. Estery 5

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

08:00 AM Shtetl: Following the Traces of Jewish Villages (Kraków - Działoszyce - Pińczów - Chmielnik - Szydłów - Chęciny - Kraków) - Marco der Pole i Klezmer Hois Project starting point: ul. Szeroka 6
09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazimierz (in Polish), led by Anna Kiesell (Kraków) starting point: Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
09:00 AM
-10:30 AM Workshops: Hebrew Language, led by Maciej Tomal (Poland) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazmierz (in English), led by Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia(Krakow) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
10:00 AM
-11:30 AM Klezmer Basic - Klezmer Workshops for beginners, led by Sanne Moricke (Germany) and Deborah Strauss (USA)
VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
10:00 AM
-06:00 PM Please Respond - evolving public art project by Erica Lehrer, Hannah Smotrich and Stephanie Rowden (USA) courtyard of 41 Miodowe Street
10:30 AM
-12:00 PM Open Meetings led by Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Israel - Workshops for Children, led by Etel Szyc and Monika Krajewska (Poland) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Workshops: Yiddish language, led by Przemysław Piekarski, Julia Makosz & Urszula Makosz (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Lecture: Basic Judaism: Bella Szwarcman-Czarnota Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Drumming workshops with Shlomo Bar (Israel), accompaniment: Menashe Sasson and Ilan Ben-Ami (Israel) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
12:30 PM
-02:00 PM Workshops: Jewish Dance, led by Steven Weintraub (USA), accompaniment by: Deborah Strauss, Jeff Warschauer and Stuart Brotman (USA) SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Paper-cutting, led by Anna Małecka- Beiersdorf (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Hasidic Singing, led by Cantor Benzion Miller (USA), accompaniment by Daniel Gildar (USA) Center for Jewish Culture Festival, ul. Meiselsa 17
02:00 PM Visiting Remuh Cemetery, in Polish, led by Anna Kiesell (Kraków) Remuh Cemetery, ul. Szeroka 40
02:00 PM Lecture: Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett (USA) What Makes Jewish Food Jewish? Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Cooking, led by Hanna Kossowska (Poland) Hotel Eden, ul. Ciemna 15
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Hebrew Calligraphy, led by Ewa Gordon (Krakow) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Genealogy workshops, led by Anna Przybyszewska & Yale Reisner (Poland) Galicia Museum ul. Dajwór 18
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Workshops: A Klyamke Mit A Tir: Yiddish Singing led by Jeff Warschauer & Deborah Strauss(USA) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Discovering Kazimierz-Towards Israel - artistic workshops led by Sylwia Liszka and Agnieszka Wozowicz (Kraków) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
04:00 PM Lecture: Anna Lebet-Minkowska Synagogue and Church. Similarities and differences in symbolic design of praying places Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie, al. 3 Maja 1
04:30 PM
-06:00 PM Workshops: Hasidic Dance, led by Jill Gellerman (USA), with the accompaniment by The Festival Hasidic Dance Band SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
05:00 PM Film Tovarisch, I Am Not Dead by Stuart Urban (83 min., 2007, UK) Club Alchemia, ul. Estery 5
05:00 PM Exhibition Where the Past Meets the Future by Faye Grajower Galicia Jewish Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
05:30 PM Concert Between Two Synagogues ul. Ciemna 15
06:00 PM Cinnamon Shops - theater performance based on a novel by Bruno Schulz, directed by Frank Soehnle, performed by Puppet Theater from Białystok SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
06:00 PM Murder on Shabbat Morning - discussion about a book by Batya Gur with participation of Prof. Maria Orwid, Prof. Jerzy Aleksandrowicz, Dr. Tomasz Sikora and Irk Grin Jewish Community Center, ul. Miodowa 24
07:00 PM Concert: Oy Division (Israel) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
09:00 PM Concert: Kroke Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
10:00 PM Concert: Erik Friedlander Plays John Zorn’s Masada Book of Angels (USA) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
12:00 PM Jazz Klez Session: Paul Brody (USA), Oy Division (Israel) Alchemia, ul. Estery 5

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Workshops: A Klyamke Mit A Tir: Yiddish Singing led by Jeff Warschauer & Deborah Strauss (USA)
VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Discovering Kazimierz-Towards Israel - artistic workshops led by Sylwia Liszka and Agnieszka Wozowicz (Kraków) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
04:00 PM
-05:30 PM Lecture: Israel - 60 Years Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
04:00 PM
-05:30 PM Lecture: Alija - History of emigration to Erec-Israel - led by Miriam Akavia Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
04:30 PM
-06:00 PM Workshops: Hasidic Dance, led by Jill Gellerman (USA), with the accompaniment of The Festival Hasidic Dance Band SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
05:00 PM Film: Description of a Struggle by Chris Marker (France) Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
05:30 PM Concert Between Two Synagogues ul. Ciemna 15
06:00 PM Cinnamon Shops - theater performance based on a novel by Bruno Schulz, directed by Frank Soehnle, performed by Puppet Theater from Białystok SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
07:00 PM Concert: Yasmin Levy (Israel) - Mano Suave Tour Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
08:00 PM Cinnamon Shops - theater performance based on a novel by Bruno Schulz, directed by Frank Soehnle, performed by Puppet Theater from Białystok SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
09:00 PM

Living Jewish Music - 1. Horny Trees 2. Trzaska, Zimpel, Gorczyński 3. Rogiński, Masecki, Moretti
Drukarnia Club, ul. Nadwiślańska 1
09:00 PM Concert: Kroke Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
10:00 PM Concert: Klezmer & Gipsy Musicians - as a part of the European Project “The Other Europeans” Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
12:00 PM Jazz Klez Session: Paul Brody (USA), Oy Division (Israel) Alchemia, ul. Estery 5

Thursday, July 3, 2008

09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazimierz (in Polish), led by Anna Kiesell (Krakow) starting point: Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
09:00 AM
-10:30 AM Workshops: Hebrew Language, led by Maciej Tomal (Poland) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd Floor
09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazmierz (in English), led by Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia(Krakow) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
10:00 AM
-11:30 AM Israel - Workshops for Children, led by Etel Szyc and Monika Krajewska (Poland) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
10:00 AM
-11:30 AM Klezmer Basic - Klezmer Workshops for beginners, led by Sanne Moricke (Germany) and Deborah Strauss (USA)
VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
10:00 AM
-06:00 PM Please Respond - evolving public art project by Erica Lehrer , Hannah Smotrich i Stephanie Rowden (USA) courtyard of 41 Miodowa Street
10:00 AM The Work by Bernard Offen and meeting with director Club Alchemia, ul. Estery 5
10:30 AM
-12:00 PM Open Meetings - led by Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount (Poland) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Lecture: Basic Judaism: meeting with Hanna Kossowska, Monika Krajewska, Bella Szwarcman-Czarnota and Etel Szyc. Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Drumming workshops with Shlomo Bar (Israel), accompaniment Menashe Sasson and Ilan Ben-Ami (Israel) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
12:30 PM
-02:00 PM Workshops: Jewish Dance, led by Steven Weintraub (USA), accompaniment by Jeff Warschauer, Deborah Strauss and Stuart Brotman (USA)
SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Paper-cutting, led by Anna Małecka- Beiersdorf (Kraków) ul.Kupa 18, 2nd floor
02:00 PM
-03:30 PM Lecture: Stories of Yiddish, Part I by Prof. Michael Steinlauf and Michael Alpert (USA) Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
02:00 PM Visiting Remuh Cemetery (in English), led by Chief Rabbi of Galicia Edgar Gluck (USA) Remuh Cemetary, ul.Szeroka 40
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Cooking, led by Hanna Kossowska (Poland) Hotel Eden, ul. Ciemna 15
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Hebrew Calligraphy, led by Ewa Gordon (Krakow) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Genealogy workshops, led by Anna Przybyszewska & Yale Reisner (Poland) Galicja Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Workshops: A Klyamke Mit A Tir: Yiddish Singing led by Jeff Warschauer & Deborah Strauss (USA) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Discovering Kazimierz-Towards Israel - artistic workshops led by Sylwia Liszka and Agnieszka Wozowicz (Kraków) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
04:00 PM
-05:30 PM Lecture: Szewach Weiss - My Israel Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
04:30 PM
-06:00 PM Workshops: Hasidic Dance, led by Jill Gellerman (USA), with the accompaniment of The Festival Hasidic Dance Band SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
05:00 PM Film: Description of a Memory by Den Geva (80 min., 2006, Izsrael) Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
05:30 PM Concert Between Two Synagogues: Konsonans Retro (Ukraine) ul. Ciemna 15
06:30 PM
-07:30 PM Theater performance The Sound of Silence - Midrash Theatre by Rabbi Tanja Segal (Poland, Israel), joint project of Beit Warszawa and Galicia Jewish Museum Galicia Jewish Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
07:00 PM Concert: David D’Or (Israel) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
07:00 PM
-08:30 PM Lecture: Anna Widacka Synagogues, that does not have Shadows any More (lecture in Polish) Ethnographic Museum, ul. Krakowska 46 (Esterka’s House)
08:00 PM Chi Chi Bunichi - theatre performance by Daphna Attias (Great Britain) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 17
08:30 PM
-09:30 PM Theatre performance Sound of Silence - Midrash Theatre by Rabbi Tanja Segal (Poland, Israel), joint project of Beit Warszawa and Galicia Jewish Museum
Galicia Jewish Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
09:00 PM Shlomo Bar and Friends from Habrera Hativeet (Israel) Alchemia Club, ul. Estery 5
10:00 PM Concert: La Mar Enfortuna (USA) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
12:00 PM Thursday Night Dance Party Drukarnia Club, Nadwislańska 1
12:00 PM Jazz Klez Session: Paul Brody (USA), Oy Division (Israel) Alchemia, ul. Estery 5

Friday, July 4, 2008

09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazimierz (in Polish), led by Anna Kiesell (Krakow) starting point:Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
09:00 AM
-10:30 AM Workshops: Hebrew Language, led by Maciej Tomal (Poland) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
09:00 AM Visiting Synagogues in Kazmierz (in English), led by Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia(Krakow) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
10:00 AM
-11:30 AM Klezmer Basic - Klezmer Workshops for beginners, led by Sanne Moricke (Germany) and Deborah Strauss (USA) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
10:00 AM
-06:00 PM Please Respond - evolving public art project by Erica Lehrer , Hannah Smotrich and Stephanie Rowden (USA) courtyard of 41 Miodowa Street
10:00 AM
-11:30 AM Lecture: Tikkun Olam, led by: Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount (Poland) Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
10:00 AM My Hometown Concentration Camp by Bernard Offen and meeting with director Club Alchemia, ul. Estery 5
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Israel - Workshops for Children, led by Etel Szyc and Monika Krajewska (Poland) Synagoga Poppera, ul. Szeroka 16
11:00 AM
-12:30 PM Workshops: Yiddish language, led by Przemysław Piekarski, Julia Makosz & Urszula Makosz (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Drumming workshops with Shlomo Bar (Isarel), accompaniment: Menashe Sasson and Ilan Ben-Ami (Israel) Vi Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Lecture: Basic Judaism: Chief Rabbi of Poland, Michael Schudrich Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
12:00 PM Lecture of Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett (USA) accompanying exhibition ‘One Thousand Years of Polish Jews’ History’ Galicia Jewish Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
12:30 PM
-02:00 PM Workshops: Jewish Dance, led by Steven Weintraub (USA), acxcompaniment by Jeff Warschauer, Deborah Strauss and Stuart Brotman (USA)
SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Hasidic Singing, led by Cantor Benzion Miller (USA), accompaniment by Daniel Gildar (USA) Center for Jewish Culture, ul. Meiselsa 17
01:00 PM
-02:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Paper-cutting, led by Anna Małecka- Beiersdorf (Kraków) ul. Kupa 18, 2nd floor
01:00 PM Workshops: Hasidic Singing, led by Cantor Benzion Miller (USA), accompaniment by Daniel Gildar (USA) Center for Jewish Culture, ul. Meiselsa 17
02:00 PM
-03:30 PM Lecture: Stories of Yiddish, Part II by Prof. Michael Steinlauf and Michael Alpert (USA) Kupa Synagogue, ul.Miodowa 27
02:00 PM Visiting Remuh Cemetery (in English), led by Chief Rabbi of Galicia Edgar Gluck (USA) Remuh Cemetery, ul.Szeroka 40
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Workshops: Jewish Cooking, led by Hanna Kossowska (Poland) Hotel Eden, ul. Ciemna 15
03:00 PM
-04:30 PM Genealogy workshops, led by Anna Przybyszewska & Yale Reisner (Poland) Galicia Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Workshops: A Klyamke Mit A Tir: Yiddish Singing led by Jeff Warschauer & Deborah Strauss (USA) VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące, ul. Wąska 7
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Discovering Kazimierz-Towards Israel - artistic workshops led by Sylwia Liszka and Agnieszka Wozowicz (Kraków) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 16
03:30 PM
-05:00 PM Monika Krajewska (Poland): Tumbstones and paper-cuts: symbols in traditional Jewish art - lecture and slide show Center for Jewish Culture, ul. Meiselsa 17
04:00 PM Film: Marzec 68. Niedokończona historia, dir. Jacek Chojecki and Dworzec Gdański, dir. Teresa Torańska Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
04:30 PM
-06:00 PM Workshops: Hasidic Dance, led by Jill Gellerman (USA), with the accompaniment by The Festival Hasidic Dance Band SCKM, ul. Wietora 15
05:00 PM In Memory of Krakow Jews - ceremony led by Cantor Benzion Miller, Daniel Gildar and Michael Alpert Plac Bohaterów Getta
06:00 PM
-07:00 PM Theatre Performance Sound of Silence - Midrash Theater by Rabbi Tanja Segal (Poland, Israel), joint project by Beit Warszawa and Galicia Jewish Museum Galicia Jewish Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
06:30 PM Concert: Descarga Maghreb by Maurice El Medioni and Roberto Rodriguez (USA / France)
Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24
07:30 PM Chi Chi Bunichi - theater performance by Daphna Attias (Great Britain) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 17
10:00 PM Chi Chi Bunichi - theatre performance by Daphna Attias (Great Britain) Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 17
12:00 PM Jazz Klez Session: Paul Brody (USA), Oy Division (Israel) Alchemia, ul. Estery 5

Saturday, July 5, 2008

10:00 AM Process B-7815 by Bernard Offen and meeting with director Club Alchemia, ul. Estery 5
11:00 AM
-12:00 PM Welcome to JCC - Jonathan Ornstein - presentation of the Jewish COmmunity Center in Krakow (in English) Jewish Community Center, ul. Miodowa 26
12:00 PM
-01:30 PM Legend of the Ritual Murder - meeting with Prof. Joanna Tokarska-Bakir (Poland), moderated by Anna Bikont (Poland) Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
01:45 PM
-02:45 PM Welcome to JCC - Karina Sokołowska - presentation of the Jewish Community Center in Krakow (in Polish) Jewish Community Center, ul. Miodowa 26
02:30 PM
-04:00 PM Meeting with Prof. Shevah Weiss (Israel) and presentation of “Among nations” Kupa Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 27
03:30 PM Please Respond - vernissage of the exhibition concluding public art project by Erika Lehrer, Hannah Smotrich and Stephanie Rowden (USA) courtyard of 41 Miodowa Street
06:00 PM Concert: Shalom on Szeroka Street Ulica Szeroka

Sunday, July 6, 2008

08:30 AM
-10:30 AM In the Footsteps of Balaban, a walk around Jewish Kazimierz, in Polish, led by Julia Lasek (Krakow) starting point: Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
08:30 AM
-10:30 AM In the Footsteps of Balaban, a walk around Jewish Kazimierz, in English led by Anna Kiesell (Kraków) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
10:00 AM Hawaii and the Holocaust by Bernard Offen and meeting with director Club Alchemia, ul. Estery 5
11:30 AM Visiting Cemeteries, led by Monika Krajewska (in Polish) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
12:30 PM Walk around the site of former Krakow Ghetto, led by Agnieszka Legutko-Ołownia (in English) starting point: Apteka Pod Orłem Museum, pl. Bohaterów Getta 18
02:00 PM Chris Schwarz in Memoriam Galicia Museum, ul. Dajwór 18
04:00 PM
-06:00 PM In the Footsteps of Balaban, a walk around Jewish Kazimierz, in English led by Anna Kiesell (Krakow) starting point: Remuh Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 40
04:00 PM
-06:00 PM In the Footsteps of Balaban, a walk around Jewish Kazimierz, in Polish led by Julia Lasek (Kraków) starting point: Stara Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 24
04:00 PM
-05:00 PM A Trip To Israel - performance by children participants in the workshops for children Popper Synagogue, ul. Szeroka 17
05:00 PM Film: Ashkenaz by Rachel Leah Jones (72 min., 2007, Israel) Club Alchemia, ul . Estery 5
08:00 PM Concert: Leopold Kozłowski & Friends (Krakow) Tempel Synagogue, ul. Miodowa 24

Krakow by Night - short introduction to Krakow’s pubs and drinking culture

krakowroom — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:42:36 +0000

Krakow by Night

Krakow is a place of wonderful night culture. There is no shortage of places to drink, eat, and stay merry late into the night in Krakow. The huge central Market Square in the heart of the historic Old Town district and its environs look like they never sleep, at least most of the year save winter. Some people count 800 pubs or clubs within walking distance from it. And recently trendy new hangouts are launched also in the nearby Kazimierz quarter almost by the month.

Krakow Night Clubs

Krakow boasts a lively and always growing club scene. The party goes on week long - especially among students - but, no doubts about it, the Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the hottest, especially in places such as Łubu Dubu or Caryca. As elsewhere, on weekends Krakow’s young professionals go out filling every space possible, and students mingle happily in crowds that pack bars, discotheques, and restaurants in vogue at the moment. Loyal patrons happen but most club-goers wander from place to place - almost popular is the road between the centrally located Market Square and Kazimierz - both of them focal points of Krakow’s night life, two entertainment centres.
Local clubs are not large, few can seat more than 100, but that is not the point - the athmosphere matters the most. Recorded music is the staple, with live performances two or three nights a week. Some Krakow DJs attained local fame, while club celebrities from other parts of Poland and from abroad spin occasionally in the city.
Krakow’s myriad live entertainment venues cater to all tastes and generations. Sure thing, those in their twenties to thirty-something are best served since most places offer contemporary club music. On the other hand, jazz seems surprisingly popular. There are also hangouts for the fans of rock, modern pop, ballads, etc. The roots music, inspired by varied traditions of this part of Europe, has a niche of its own. Seniors, too, have their places of choice to enjoy themselves with immortal evergreens.

Drinks Popular in Krakow

Whatever you have heard tea is the everyday drink in Poland, while coffee gives stimulus and sipping it in company often has social function. The country abounds in quality mineral waters, and its excellent fruit crops produce tasty juices. Milk is generally thought the kid’s stuff but homely sour milk and its processed equivalent, kefir, are common refreshers. Polish vodka remains the traditional booze, yet beer has recently become more popular. Beer is still a catalyst of the student culture - because, after all, Krakow is a student city.

Krakow Tea

Typical Pole drinks a glass of black tea for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and in between as well. His ‘herbata’ is usually pretty weak, with sugar and often a slice of lemon, rarely milk (tea with milk is considered good for lactating mothers). And on frosty days hot tea with admixture of rum or strong vodka can warm him up in a flash. Also herbal tea, i.e. various blends of dried leaves, blossoms, and berries are prized either for their taste or healthy properties, or both.

Coffee in Krakow

Most Poles seem hooked on strong coffee and they cannot carry on without a cup a day, or two or more. Many still brew it the Polish way by putting a spoonful or two of ground coffee into a glass and filling the vessel up with boiling water. Some do so even in Krakow though it is held rather barbarian in the city enamored of espresso. In its penchant for good coffee Krakow resembles Vienna, close both geographically and historically, and it may well rival the Austrian capital in the saturation with cafés, some century-old and museum-like, some brand-new and trendy. They are to the residents of this city what pubs are to Londoners and diners to New Yorkers. In Krakow a meeting over a cup of coffee is the most popular social occasion. It usually entails at least an hour-long chat, argument, or negotiations, be it between fresh acquaintances, old friends, lovers, enemies or business partners.

Soft Drinks in Krakow

Poland’s youngsters but hardly any adults have proved a captive market to divers brands of both American cola giants. Conversely, the French mineral waters, though widely available, are no competition to their cheaper Polish counterparts of established reputation, notably those produced in well-known spa resorts. At the same time there is fierce rivalry between the country’s makers of fruit juices - orange and grapefruit are based on imported extracts but try such domestic specialties as apple or black currant. Lastly, do not drink tap water when in Poland unless you must: it is safe yet hardly palatable.

Krakow’s Booze

Poland has long been part of the ‘vodka belt’, i.e. the crescent of north European countries from Russia to Norway where hard drinking looked like a part of everyday life. Actually, Russians adopted their beloved liquor from the Polish neighbors. Polish ‘wodka’ (pronounced ‘voodkah’) is rather strong, with 40-45 percent alcohol content. It should be served straight, chilled but no ice, and swallowed at one gulp. Unlike the Russian ones, the Polish vodkas come in great variety. In addition to the most popular ‘czysta wodka’ (i.e. absolute vodka) - cheaper brands distilled from potatoes and finer ones from rye - there are many time-honored flavors to choose from, such as juniper, nut, pepper, plum, cherry, caraway seed, etc. Like wines, they can be dry, half-dry, half-sweet and sweet.
The traditional Polish ‘nalewka’ (pronounced ‘nalavkah’) infusions of herbs, berries or fruits steeped in vodka are yet another story. Every second Krakow restaurateur boasts its own ‘nalewkas’ whose recipes he guards as family secrets.

Wine in Krakow

Up to the mid 19th century respectable Poles disdained vodka as plebeian booze and their hard liquor of choice was either imported wine or domestic mead made of fermented honey. Nowadays the latter remains a local curio whereas a wide selection of wines from all over the world is available in Krakow shops. Yet some pricey vintages may be hard to come by as most local customers opt for cheaper Italian and Spanish imports as well as Bulgarian, Hungarian and Romanian ones.

Beer in Krakow

Beer has been brewed in Krakow for the last thousand years and now it is the most popular alcoholic beverage again (nonalcoholic beers are common in Poland yet hardly popular). Present-day Polish beers mostly resemble German lager.
Foreigners loyal to their favorite liquor will find all international brands of alcohol in Krakow’s shops and bars.

Chlopskie Jadlo - traditional polish kitchen

krakowroom — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:19:34 +0000

Chlopskie Jadlo - Peasant kitchen - is one of the most well-known culinary destinations in Krakow. Well known amongst local people, sort of fashionable for the members of newly created middle class working specialists, and more and more popular amongst tourists. Styled to resemble peasant cuisine, does it really well. The food is simple and delicious. Some of the basic things - such as really tasty sausages, are beign prepared specially for the chain of Chlopskie Jadlo. They are done according to old polish recepies and not available anywhere else. You can have a taste of traditional polish cuisine - dishes such as ’schabowy z kapusta i ziemniakami’ - fried cutlet with baked cabbage and potatoes, golabki - meet and buckwheat wrapped with cabbage leaf, and plenty of others. Make sure you try rosol - chicken soup. If you are vegetarian pancakes would do you great. All of that served in really huge portions, but children menu is also available.

Most of all, the insides are styled to resemble polish cottage houses from XIXth century. The ambiance is really superbly done. the one pointed on our interactive map of Krakow is the outlet located right in the middle of the town, on Jana Street, right next to Main Marker Square.

We strongly recommend. A must see place - I bet you’ve never eaten so well.

Centralwings fiasco

krakowroom — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:43:54 +0000

Recent comment on cheap flights to Poland (and everywhere else really) - it you decide to use them be aware that not every company provide the same level of service. Cheap fligts only pay off if you plan your journey in advance. Otherwise it may be actually cheaper, faster and more comfortable to travel with other airlines and enjoy simply better service.

To give just few examples of what it means to flight cheap. Ryanair is known for being really strict with the luggage. If you have 1 kg extra above the limit you will have to pay for it, or magically make it disappear.

Easyjet used to offer a service called ‘additional luggage’, priced 10 Euros. It did not mean you can take more luggage, though. The trick was that instead of one piece of 20 kg, you could have two pieces of 10kg each.

The worst ever is Centralwings, a cheap airline belonging to polish company called LOT. The are known not only for malfunctioning plains (sic!) but also for the fact that in most of the cases they would change your booking. If you reserved a lot in advance expect your trip to be changed more that once. To quote comedian Jerry Seinfeld - ‘they are good in taking a reservation, but they can’t keep the reservation’. Big smile - but seriously - think not only money. See you on the airport and in Krakow.

Florianska Street - ultimate shopping area

krakowroom — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:55:18 +0000

Florianska Street - is the place to go to buy literally anything. From kebabs available from local muslims’ stands to luxury objects such as jewelery or garment. Even though the street has a reputation of being the most expensive in Europe, you can get wonderful deals, seasonal promotions, or simply shops which wouldn’t shock you with their price lists. Places such as Reserverd, clothing trendy company, or Rylko - one of the best proper shoes from Poland, stand up here. Good prices, and best quality - truly rare combination. If you have more money to spend Florianska offers plenty of luxury jewelery stores, selling wide range of gold, silver and, polish speciality - amber, products. Additionally there is couple of really good restaurants, and plenty of good pubs and clubs.

Krakow’s annual events

krakowroom — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:59:08 +0000

Krakow is a city of culture. Unlike Warsaw - the capitol of the government and the center for business, Krakow truly is the place known as home for artists, and for magnitude of cultural events.

Here is the list of annual events.

January

The New Year celebration in Krakow is always a big event in the Main Square. Concerts and fireworks light up the sky. It’s loud and crowdy but, on the plus side, very energetic and you can always meet people and simply have fun. Polish cities always try to invite the hottest bands and you can count for high quality music. For more demanding public there could be a Philharmonic concert, or a theatre play. Also, most of the pubs, clubs organize whole night parties.

February

Not the liveliest month of the year - it’s usually cold and gloomy. There are events though - International Shanty Festival. Also there is something called and Fat Thursday. Good excuse to eat as many doughnuts as possible - if you’re up for that kind of fun feel invited.

March

The month for classical music fans - the Bach Festival and the Organ Festival. Another one could be Easter with its classical music festival - Misteria Pashalia.

April

Well … not much is happening. But we’ll be back with more information.

May

The city gets into its stride this month, not least with the Krakow’s Marathon. The Krakow International Film Festival is a longstanding feature, joined by a newcomer, The Krakow Month of Photography. For music lovers, there is the Encounters with Orthodox Church Music Festival.

June

The most internationaly known is the International Festival of Jewish Culture. Also late June is marked by the ancient Wianki (Floating of the Wreaths) custom, nowadays backed up by a major concert on the River Vistula. Finally, there’s the International Festival of Military Bands.

July

There are festivals galore this month. Here are the main runners for your perusal:

The Summer Jazz Festival
International Street Theatre Festival
Crossroads Festival of Folk Music
Summer Organ Festival

August

An August highlight is the Music in Old Krakow Festival, which draws classical acts from foreign shores. Staying on the musical tip, Krakow’s Academy of Music organises its own shindig. Finally there’s the festival of Court Dance.

September

The Sacrum-Profanum Music Festival offers more musical delights. This is backed up by another classical number, the International Competition of Modern Chamber Music. And of course, the legendary Dachshund Parade brings a welcome dose of silliness.

October

The International Festival of Early Music is a regular this month. Lovers of literature might check out the Krakow Book Fair, nationwide event most interesting for books lovers.

November

The last flickers of Autumn are taken to magical heights by the All Saints and All Souls Vigils (November 1st and 2nd). The Zaduszki Jazz Festival lightens the melancholic tone. November 29th is the Polish celebration of Andrzejki, when you can read your future, especially regarding your marital plans and possibilities, in wax.

December

The Christmas Market starts promptly (stalls are usually up by the end of November). And on the first Thursday of the month, the time-honoured Christmas Crib competition begins. This is complimented by a range of yuletide customs. Lately, the Opera Viva Festival has also been a December feature.

Herbaty Swiata - Teas of the World

krakowroom — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:37:20 +0000

Simply a good and well-equipped shop filled from the floor to the ceiling with all sort of teas. Founded in 1991, Herbaty Swiata now has over 50 modern outlets throughout Poland, all offering a huge variety of teas and tea-making accessories, of which this one in Krakow’s Old Town is certainly one of the most charming. Must see if you’re a tea fan -otherwise better not. Located right in the middle to the Old Town.

Manggha Centre of Japanese Culture

krakowroom — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:46:21 +0000

As exotic as it sounds Krakow actually have a centre for Japanese culture. Founded by prominent citizens of Krakow, film director Andrzej Wajda and Krystyna Zachwatowicz, along with the architect, Arata Isozaki with his Wife, Aiko Miyawaki in 1994 is an ecellent piece of art itself, and an important hot spot for cultural events.

The main aim of the Manggha Centre has been to promote Japanese culture. With many permanent exhibitions - on the art, history and culture of Japan, the center serves well to its main objectives. The exhibition is changed regularly to provide the best information and present the culture of Japan in the best possible way. Apart from permanent exhibitions you can see many temporary ones. The building is also rented for many temp exhibitions not necessarily connected to the Orient.

Definitely worth visiting. We strongly recommend.

Princes Czartoryski Museum in Krakow

krakowroom — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:31:52 +0000

The Princes Czartoryski Museum – the oldest Polish art and history museum of enormous value and great tradition. Initially founded in the city of Pulawy, the collection was moved to Paris in XIX century, and later on - in 1960’s - brought to Poland through the efforts of the National Museum in Krakow.

People who appreciate art - would be in heaven to hear that the Museum is a home for such pieces as The Lady With An Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci. Apart from paintings you can appreciate Antiquities, European Painting and Sculpture, European Decorative Art, Armoury and Graphic Art Room

Highly recommended to everyone.

Bodega Marques Vinoteca - wine in Krakow

krakowroom — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:57:55 +0000

With the whole respect to Krakow, the city is not particularly known for having too much to do with wine bars, and the wine culture. What stands out is Bodega Marques Vinoteca - a place where you can enjoy large selection of wines, served by knowledgeable people and accompanied by good food.

Being located in the vicinity of the Main Market Square this really exceptional place is definitely worth visiting. The owners certainly know their subject - there is over three hundred varieties from distinguished wine-houses across the globe. Spanish, Portuguese, French wines ready and waiting for any winelover.

Traditional Spanish dishes, served on the spot - such as tapas go really well with the vine list. You can enjoy all that in warmly furnished restaurant-alike rooms, equipped with comfortable seats. Very classy place - but, as already said, one of not many places in Krakow to provide that large selection of wine. Prices are average - slightly too high for students, but perfectly accessible for foreigners.

Klub Kulturalny

krakowroom — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:38:47 +0000

Klub Kulturalny is one of the longest established of all pubs and night clubs in Krakow’s Old town. Located in a cellar right next to the Main Market Square made its name for people attending there - artists, students, public generally associated with high culture and art. It’s not the biggest place ever - can accommodate maybe up to 60 people, but definitely worth visiting on your night out in Krakow. Apart from large selection of polish beers you can choose from large variety of vodkas and other alcohols, cafes and teas during the daytime. Also - worth mentioning - the music is always of a good quality, nothing too pushy, nothing too aggressive.

Simply - a place to go to with a group of friends and have fun, maybe to meet someone interesting.

Jazz Rock Cafe

krakowroom — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:49:26 +0000

Jazz Rock Cafe is a well known place amongst citizens of Krakow. And you’d be wrong to expect smooth jazzy tones. The name is a bit, well… actually heavily misleading. Jazz Rock Cafe is a place mostly for young generation, and by young I mean young, rebellious, partying all the time, heavy rock and metal fans.

With its famous dance floor and whole-night parties it’s a perfect place if what you need is heavy sweat, lots of booze,and plenty of teenagers raging to the sound of the newest nu-metal bands. If that fits your definition of a good spend time - expect something really good.

Another speciality of Jazz Rock Cafe are concerts. Mostly with focus on alternative and rock music.

Apart from that - as in every club in Krakow it provides wide range of beers, vodkas and, well .. that’s it. Centrally located right in the center of Krakow, next to The Main Market Square, and what is more important - right next to other party places.

Albo Tak

krakowroom — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:58:39 +0000

Albo Tak - it’s not every day experience that you have to pass a bookstore on your way to have a drink. Well … welcome to Poland, lots of things can happen here.

Albo Tak is located right next to Main Market Square, on the first floor, right above weird esoteric bookshop. In the day time you can find here plenty of people reading newspapers, discussing philosophical matters, or even simply playing chess (available from the bartender). In the night it gets wilder. For a while in the past it used to be a place where the most common customer was a drunken student pretending to be a fully-fledged intellectuals already. Later on it became posh and more young, loaded people started to show up making the bartenders angry ordering a cup of tee with a spoon of absinthe added. Mostly, though, it’s simply a good place at any time. Plenty of choice of drinks, including mulled wine (grzaniec) in addition to all the old favourites. Good polish beers. Must go there if you’re in Krakow.

Flower Power

krakowroom — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:45:22 +0000

Flower Power is a nice and cozy club/ pub in the centre in Kazimierz, formerly Jewish district. Its speciality is this unique climate you’ve got if you put post-hippis atmosphere and modern new age elements together. Always good and non-intrusive music and cozy and warm inside plays well with a room filled with cushions where you can sit on the floor, smoke aromatic tobacco and enjoy tour friends company. Flower Power serves couple of dishes, among them the soup is really good, plenty of snacks and drinks.

To put it short - one nice place to have an enjoyable evening or at least a place where you can start conquering Krakow from.

Jagiellonian University in Krakow

krakowroom — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:42:59 +0000

Jagiellonian University is Poland’s oldest (640 years of constant activity) and most noble. With its over 45 906 students and 6 847 staff is definitely second biggest public institution of higher education in Poland. Alma Mater Cracoviensis, as that is old latin name, dates back to 1364 when King Casimir III the Great established it with permission from Pope Urban V. Often modernized and restored has got its present name after King Ladislav II Jagiello (1386-1434).

It contains the following faculties:

Faculty of Law and Administration
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Pharmacy
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Philosophy
Faculty of History
Faculty of Philology
Faculty of Polish Studies
Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Faculty of Chemistry
Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences
Faculty of Management and Social Communication
Faculty of International and Political Studies
Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology

Now - for the interesting stuff. Students from abroad are most welcome at the Jagiellonian University. Master-degree studies take 5 to 6 years, and end with completing the master theses, based on students’ own research. There is a number of master-degree and postgraduate programs in English and a few in other foreign languages. So - is you’d like to make your degree in Poland, nothing simpler. And … it’s still a country with the highest standards for education in EU, as well as endless and cheap partying possibilities.

The University buildings are also very often simply interesting - especially Collegium Novum (home for lawyers, historians and administration). It’s a monumental building definitely to be visited if you like places with lots of history (that is the one pointed at our interactive map of Krakow). Another one worth mentioning would be Collegium Maius with The Jagiellonian University Museum. Go there to get to know the University’s history, take a look at old 14th century courtyard, old manuscripts, and more.

U Endziora

krakowroom — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:51:24 +0000

Another one from the very long book of places you will not see if you keep to your guide’s recommendations or popular guide books. Located in the very heart of Kazimierz, in the middle of a grocery market square, right next to popular pubs and clubs such as Singer or Alchemia, is a very special place for many reasons. It’s not a restaurant, more like a fast food facility with no places to sit down. It’s menu can be put on one rather small piece of paper. Even though, most of what they sell are roasted baguettes with different toppings (pol. zapiekanka), and burgers, there is a never-ending queue every night. People of Krakow enjoy fantastic food prepared personally by Endzior - owner himself. He opens every day and supports people partying in Kazimierz with his specialities. There is nothing as good as a night out with a pack of friends, couple of beers in a pub and a crunchy zapiekanka with salami, or chicken. From time to time Endzior offers some more special food such as bigos (a stew made of cabbage and meat) or golonko (fried pigs joint).

Planty Garden Ring

krakowroom — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:29:21 +0000

Planty - always a nice spot to meet with people, sit and read a newspaper, or simply enjoy a wooden area in the very centre of the city. Planty, is simply a green belt of public parks left after Krakow’s medieval city walls were demolished after 1807. They go all around the Old Town historical district. You can easily find good outdoors cafeterias or pubs, some galleries and museums.

Especially during the summer time the place is full of tourists and pulsing with life. Personally, I always try to go through the Planty going anywhere within the city center - it’s simply more enjoyable.

Massolit Books

krakowroom — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:33:47 +0000

Massolit Books is one of the most interesting places in Krakow. Owned by an American couple with a great passion for Poland, this is a place that you could really spend all day browsing books. There are shelves of books, on literally every topic, and new one are brought regularly. You can enjoy reading them in a cafeteria serving good selection of soft drinks.

Empik

krakowroom — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:26:01 +0000

Empik is one of not many places in Krakow where you can find literature and newspapers from all around the world. Big three stores building located in the heart of the Main Square, opposite the Cloth Hall, next to St. Mary’s Basilica provides wide range of books, newspapers, magazines as well as computer programmes and music on CD’s.

What may be interested from the point of view of a foreigner would be a selection of maps and travel guides available on the books section, and box office where you can get the tickets to major events taking place in Krakow. Also - there is a language school located on the top level - where you can also learn polish for foreigner.

Chinese Restaurants in Krakow

krakowroom — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:02:22 +0000

There are plenty of chinese styled restaurants in Krakow. Most of them are located in the city center, but there are also some in more distant locations. Basically - chinese restaurants provide relatively cheap but decent food. For just a bit more that a cost of hamburger with chips in local cheeps shops (which are mostly of really poor quality in Poland) you can eat big, nutrient and simply tasty meal. In most of them you can choose between 5 or more soups and plenty of main dishes. Amongst those you usually have the variety of chicken, duck, beef and fish dishes. All of them tasty and prepared in place by a real chinese chef.

One of the oldest and most distinguishable of chinese styled restaurant is located in the city center near by the Bagatela Theatre. It is slightly more expensive than others, but an equivalent of 20 PLN should cover a big two dishes meal for one person. What also differs it from other places like that is more secluded location, better service and food quality. Additionally several desserts are in the menu. From main dishes I especially recommend chicken chinese which is always fresh an tasty.

Travellersinn Hostel and Private Rooms

krakowroom — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:06:34 +0000

Travellersinn Hostel and Private Rooms - information provided by the hostel

Our hostel is one of the friendliest and longest established hostels in the city. We offer some usual things, which every hostel has, such as: free breakfast, internet, linens, washer and dryer, lockers, central location etc. But also we have some extras that can make your stay in Krakow better.

So, what to do here?

Eat
We cook a free dinner for all guests (almost) every Thursday evening.

Go cycling
We have 6 free bikes and some advice where to go

See Kraków with us
Walk with us to the places, which are not necessary recommended in guide books. Every Friday (almost)

Explore Kraków yourself
We have prepared a Kraków Kit, the short guide to places we like in Krakow and nearby Krakow

Get informed
What’s going on. We have up to date information about events in Krakow.

Get a haircut
Upon request our befriended hairdresser will appear straight at the hostel to cut your hair

Relax
Listen good music, play chess and have great coffee all day long

Christmas Wishes 2007

krakowroom — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:58:47 +0000

Please take our best Christmas and New Year wishes. From all of us, people working to provide the best and most reliable information on tourism in Krakow to everyone in the whole world. All the joy and happiness and see you in Krakow

The Cloth Hall - Sukiennice

krakowroom — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:27:01 +0000

Sukiennice (pl), or Cloth Hall - is one of the most recognizable icon of Krakow. You will find it’s silhouette on every poster, and the site itself amongst must-go places if you tour with any guide. A merchant’s shelter originally - back when Krakow used to be an important point of trade for salt from Wieliczka and silk from far east, now it’s a center for tourism. You will find plenty of objects with ‘Krakow’ on them. Considered kitsch by most Krakovians still impresses tourists. Great shopping place for souvenirs, like t-shirts, mugs, beer and shot glasses, wooden chess sets, or one of the thousands of pieces of amber jewellery on display. The good news is, it’s right smack in the middle of Krakow’s Market Square, so you couldn’t miss it if you tried!

Apart from the shops - there are several cafes around the Cloth Hall and the whole building has a wonderful atmosphere. Be sure to spend a few moments admiring the impressive architecture and the design of the roof. If you’re an art lover there is a branch of The National Museum - the one with a gallery of polish painters.

Galeria Krakowska - the newest shopping mall in Krakow

krakowroom — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:07:59 +0000

Krakow’s newest haven for shoppers. Build in 2007 comes in the form of a state-of-the-art, gigantic shopping centre located next to the city’s Main Train Station. Whatever you need to buy - or if what you need is just a location to hang out - that’s the right place for you. 270 stores offer a huge selection of everything from fashion to gadgets to high-end grocery shopping. Proximity to both Kazimierz and the Market Square makes it a good place to shop.

Andrzej Mleczko Gallery

krakowroom — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:49:58 +0000

That’s one of the most unusual galleries, or bookshop to be exact, in Krakow. It’s right next to the Main Square, in the center of Krakow. Andrzej Mleczko Gallery features sketches and drawings of this artist. Some people says Mleczko is the Polish Gary Larson (of ‘Far Side’ fame) but no matter how one could describe his style, he is one of the most recognizable people in Poland. He used to publish in most of polish newspapers and is still actively creative. Here, you’ll find everything covered with Mleczko’s cartoons : mugs, plates, T-shirts etc. as well as books of his work. The walls are lined floor to ceiling with postcards featuring his cartoons. Although they are all in Polish, its worth visiting - even if you don’t speak the language. Most of them are really funny - and would create a great souvenir to take home.

Buggies bugging residents

krakowroom — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:12:34 +0000

The growing number of golf buggies on city centre streets is becoming a potentially dangerous hassle to residents and visitors alike. Reports of recklessly driven buggies are becoming more and more frequent as tour organisers adopt the vehicles.
One of them, carrying a few drunk Brits, narrowly missed running over a woman before it crashed by the Campanile hotel. The incident took place last Friday afternoon on ul. św. Tomasza. […]

Więcej po kliknięciu na ten link: http://krakowreflektor.com/2007/11/12/buggies-bugging-residents

Momotown Hostel

krakowroom — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:44:19 +0000

One of the best hostels in Krakow. Especially welcoming and friendly. They arrange parties for their guests as well as look close to what people need if they travel. One of popular demand was to be able to go to an inside bar - and here it is, open till late and ready for you. Also - free calls to some of the foreign countries - Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA and all major countries in Europe. That’s a really rare treat. Use it! What else would a traveller want? Maybe - two common rooms, one with computers (free internet access and WiFi) and book/music shelf, the other one with TV and DVD; garden area with a swing and grill facilities. If so - that indeed is a place for you.

Also in real proximity - former Jewish district, Kazimierz, the within walking distance Old Town, Wawel Castle merely 5 minutes walk from you room.

Krakow Events - December

krakowroom — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:53:01 +0000

Krakow Events December - 2007

5th Krakow Mountain Film Festival

The 5th Krakow Mountain Film Festival is probably by far the biggest annual mountaineering event in Poland. Between 5 and 9 December 2007 there will be an opportunity to admire the best mountain film productions, participate in meetings with the greatest Polish and international climbing stars, watch climbing competitions and also to take part in numerous workshops. For those who would be especially interested, here is a list of the films qualified for the contest:

* Dosięgnąć dzwonka, director: Maciek Książko
* Gulmit Tower Expedition 2007, director: Bartłomiej Latasiewicz
* Inwigilacja krzona, director: Dominik Pamuła
* Karambar, director: Piotr Pawlus
* Karawana marzeń, director: Marek Kłosowicz
* Matt, director: Marek Dudek
* Nangie wilki, director: Robert Szymczak
* Niematotamto, director: Marcin Tasiemski
* Smak wielkiej góry, director: Wojciech Ostrowski
* Swiss Bajbors, director: Tadeusz Kieniewicz
* Ścieżka Góry, director: Marek Kłosowicz

The festival offers an interesting selection of several Polish climbing films, but it also gives an opportunity to catch up with the programmes of the Banff (Canada) and Kendal (UK) Mountain Film Festivals. This year’s guest stars will be three world class climbers: Mick Fowlers, Steph Davis and Dean Potter.
Additionally, numerous and varied events like workshops, attempts at breaking the world record in jumps, slideshows, outdoor equipment fairs and first aid course will certainly make the festival worth visiting by anyone whose passions are mountains and extreme outdoor sports.

Sanctuary of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska near Krakow

krakowroom — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:12:11 +0000

Calvary Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

In 1600 Poland’s first Calvary sanctuary was established in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a small town in the Carpathian Foothills located about 33 km southwest from Krakow. The purpose was to provide pilgrims with a substitute of Jerusalem lost to the Muslim Turks. With its 42 churches and chapels of all shapes and the central basilica and the Franciscan monastery, the vast complex of buildings is the biggest in Europe. It is also Poland’s second most important historic destination for pilgrims after Czestochowa. Over ages the pilgrimage to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska influenced millions of Poles, among them Pope John Paul II, born in nearby town of Wadowice.

UNESCO has entered the sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in its list of the World Heritage sites.

In short - something for those interested in history and religion. Not much fun for others.

Football hooligans go on adventure

krakowroom — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:11:42 +0000

The city council’s latest solution to the ongoing violence between Cracovia and Wisła football hooligans is to send them to adventure camps together, in the hope that being forced to work together will lead to less problems in future.
“Fair Kibic” is the working name for the program and during their stay hooligans will engage in […]

Więcej po kliknięciu na ten link: http://krakowreflektor.com/2007/10/25/football-hooligans-go-on-adventure

Krakow Events - November

krakowroom — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:52:33 +0000

Krakow Events November 2008

Etiuda&Anima 2008 (14 Nov - 21 Nov)

Krakow Travel Guides

krakowroom — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:10:05 +0000

There are many travel guides and travel guiding companies working in Krakow. No matter what language you speak, you can always find someone giving tours in it. Most popular foreign language tours are - of course, in English, German and french.

Hiring a guide make sure that he or she is fully licenced. The licence procedure is long and pricey. Young adepts in guide profession have to learn everything concerning Krakow’s history and even more. They need to have the basic knowledge in geography, architecture, art. Some people are trying to operate without the licence. First of all it’s illegal. But, and that is a loss, in most of the cases hiring a not licenced guide you don’t get a proper service. You could get more information and enjoy Krakow more.

Our recommendation is to use a service of someone young and interesting instead of a veteran. There are many advantages of this solution. First of all you skip on the routine. There is nothing more boring than to be exposed to someone who’s been telling the same stories for 20 years. On the contrary - younger guides provide better and more interesting service. They know everything about Krakow and they are able to give it to you in an more interesting way. Also - many new companies are trying to extend they offer beyond what is usually provided by older guides. They provide tours around Nowa Huta - a district build by communist government in the 50s, or tours around Kazimierz - former Jewish Quarter of Krakow.