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Savoir FaireThe 38th International Polonaise Ball
A Tribute to Fryderyk Chopin and the 200th Anniversary of His
Birth
he International Polonaise Ball was once again South Florida's
premier Royal Ball. With an unparal l e l ed nosta lg ia for
Romanticism, the Polonaise Ball is the only gala that embodies the
true glamour and elegance of 19th century European nobility.
Following a cocktail reception, guests enjoyed a memorable evening,
including a five-star dinner, traditional dancing and a special
performance from a child prodigy honoring legendary composer
Fryderyk Chopin.
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Lady Blanka RosenstielHM King Kigeli V of Rwanda
Marquis Alberto Ornellas de Vasconcellos, Princess Saba Kebede
& HIH Prince Ermias Sahl-Selassie Haile-Selassie of
Ethiopia
President Lech Walesa, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, HRH Dom Miguel,
Duke of Viseu Royal House of Portugal
Opening Polonaise Dance Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, President Lech
Walesa
Painting of Chopin Monument in Lazienki Park, Mr. Jaroslaw
Rottermund, Master of Ceremonies
Gold Medal Recipients: Commissioner Natacha Seijas, Mr. Agustin
Anievas
Marquise Maria Alonso Montague & Marquis Alexander
Colonna-Walewski Montague
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel with Dr. Bronislaw Orawiec, AIPC Special
Recognition Award
Amicus Poloniae Recipients: Mrs. Isabel Leibowitz, Mrs. Olga
Melin, Mr. Philip Caswell 3rd
Recipients of Lech Walesa Media Award: Dr. Horacio Aguirre, Mr.
Anders Gyllenhaal
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It was 200 years ago, on March 1, 1810, that Fryderyk Franciszek
Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, not far from Warsaw, the capital
of Poland. At the time, no one could predict the future of this
little boy, but today the world knows on that day a musical genius
was born. Chopin began piano lessons at age 6 and by age 7 composed
a Polonaise in B flat. At age 12, his teacher recognized that
Chopin’s skills had grown to exceed his own. These were the
beginnings of a talent that has garnered admiration from
historians, musicians and music aficionados on each continent.
The American Institute of Polish Culture organized its 38th
International Polonaise Ball to pay tribute to this virtuoso
pianist and world acclaimed composer. The Ball was held on January
30, 2010 at the Surf Club on Miami Beach, Florida. Chairpersons of
the Ball, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel and Countess Barbara
Pagowska-Cooper greeted and welcomed over 300 guests including
distinguished personalities such as: President Lech Walesa, His
Majesty King Kigeli V of Rwanda, His Imperial Highness Prince
Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie of Ethiopia, His Royal
Highness Dom Miguel Duke of Viseu of the Royal House of Portugal
with various members of his Court, Mr. Alex Storozynski, President
of the Kosciuszko Foundation and Mrs. Victoria London, Honorary
Consul of Romania—to mention only a few.
Countess Entrude Helene de Suiza, Countess de Suiza de Bourbon,
Marquessa de Alderate & Mr. Henry Deppe
Drs. Januariusz & Janina Styperek
Miss Brigitte Cooper, Mr. Nick Mancuso, Countess Barbara
Pagowska-Cooper, Dr. Andrea CadelMrs. Barbara & Mr. Marek
Baran, Miss Marta Baran
Mrs. Anahid Govaert, Honorary Consul of Belgium,President Lech
Walesa
Count Ponce de Leon, Marquis Joao Paredes, Ms. Miriann Guazzini,
Marquis Alberto Ornellas de Vasconcellos
Ms. Rosa Garcia, Mr. Mario Garcia, Ms. Nohemi Alvarez, Ms.
Claudia SalcedoDr. Horacio Aguirre, Mrs. Helen Aguirre Ferre, Mr.
Jose Louis Ferre
Mrs. Sigrid & Mr. Karlheinz Huth
Dr. Jeanetta Stega, Mr. Richard Kennedy, Mrs. Margareta de Gea,
Mr. Joran Bengston
Ms. Alexandra Ross, Mr. Larry Wilkinson, Mrs. Marjorie
Sonderling, Mr. Albert Zanger
Mrs. Victoria London, Honorary Consul of Romania, Mr. Ricardo
Tano Feijoo
Mrs. Olga & Mr. David Melin
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During the official part of the gala, Lady Blanka presented an
award of Special Recognition to Dr. Bronislaw Orawiec from Chicago
for his contributions in the field of cardiology and his extensive
charity work for Polonia. Later on the Gold Medals – the highest
distinction of the American Institute of Polish Culture – were
awarded to Mr. Augustin Anievas, Dr. William Langebartel and
Commissioner Natacha Seijas for their promotion of Chopin’s
music.
Amicus Polonaie Distinctions, awarded by the Ambassador of
Poland, were received by Mr. Philip Caswell 3rd, Mrs. Isabel
Liebowitz and Mrs. Olga Melin, all of whom support the Chopin
Foundation of the US and promote the musical development of young
American pianists.
At the Ball, President Lech Walesa premiered his Media Award.
The honor was bestowed upon Dr. Horacio Aguirre, Founder and Editor
of “Diarios Las Americas,” and Mr. Anders Gyllenhaal, the Executive
Editor of the “Miami Herald,” because both newspapers have
published articles on Polish history, culture and business for over
four decades. Prince Dom Miguel Duke of Viseu made a special
presentation, and invested President Lech Walesa with the Grand
Cross of the Royal and Holy Order of St. Michael of the Wing and
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel with the Royal Order of Saint Nuno.
Representatives from the Royal House of Portugal were also in
attendance of this momentous evening - including Marquis Alberto
Ornellas de Vasconcellos and Marquis Joao de Paredes.
Mr. Juan Avila, Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper Mrs. Beata
Paszyc, Honorary Vice Consul of the Republic of Poland, President
Lech Walesa, Mr. Jaroslaw Rottermund
Mr. Daniel Szefer, 11-year-old pianist performing Chopin
Mrs. Teresa Lowenthal, Miss Francesca Lowenthal, Mrs. Miriam
Guazzini, Marquise Maria Alonso Montague, Mrs. Pat Riley
Mrs. Rose & Mr. Anthony Kruszewski Dr. Marek Chodakiewicz,
Mrs. Agnieszka Storozynski
Mrs. Constance & Mr. Philip Caswell 3rd, Mr. George
Berberian, Mrs. Isabel & Mr. Marvin Leibowitz
Major Peter Godfrin, Mrs. Nina Mlodzinska de Rovira, Colonel
(Ret.) John Thoma
Mr. Marcin Chumiecki, Mr. Alex Storozynski
Mr. Jaroslaw Rottermund, Mr. Wayne Carter, Office of the Mayor,
the Honorable Carlos Alvarez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County
Mr. Mikolaj Spenceley-Prada, Mr. Piotr & Mrs Petra
Pataki
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For Poles, Chopin’s music was like
“Cannons hidden under flowers.”~ Robert Schumann ~
Mrs. Ligia Lalewicz, Mr. Michael SkronskiMr. Kaith Alison Gray,
Mrs. Agnieszka Stalmach and her son.
Ms. Anita Ricci, Mr. Jon Nicawald
Mr. Ignacio & Mrs. Anna Guerrero Ms. Elaine Witherspoon, Ms.
Miriann Guazzini, Ms. Rachel Drude
Mrs. Carol & Mr. Agustin Anievas
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Above: Mr. Paul Lowenthal, Mrs. Christina Garcia-Casals, Dr.
& Mrs. Frank Estevez; Below: Ms. Francesca Lowenthal, Count
Matthew Meehan, Mrs. Teresa Lowenthal, Mrs. Iliana Abella
Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper
Commissioner Natacha Seijas, Mr. Tony Ojeida
HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, Mrs. Miriam
Guazzini, Princess Saba Kebede, Mr. Amedeo Guazzini
Mr. David Garcia, Miss Luccia Lowenthal
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Mr. Michael Skronski, Mr. Waldemar Dowiak, Mr. Lester Brown, Mr.
Ricardo Eusebio
Mr. Walter & Mrs. Regina Beaman, Mrs. Carol SadowskiMrs.
Marguerite de Lany Hark, Mr. Jon Theobald, Mrs. Frederica Tubb,
T.R. Leach, Mrs. Joyce Hine; Mr. Bud & Mrs. Ann McDougal
Marquise Maria Alonso Montague, Dr. & Mrs. Frank Estevez
Mrs. Malgorzata Chibowska, Mr. Christopher KurczabaMs. Lucy Kujawa
Dowinski, Mr. Erik Szczepkowski
Mr. Orlando & Mrs. Iliana Abella Mrs. Adriana & Mr.
Jorge Pino Mrs. Laurel & Dr. Floriano Marchetti Mr. & Mrs.
Tomaselli
Mrs. Dania & Dr. Diego SaavedraMr. Christian Garcia-Casals,
Miss Carolina Garcia-Casals, Mr. Robert & Mrs. Christina
Garcia-Casals
Count Ponce de Leon, Mrs. Mariela Cacciotti
Mr. Orlando and Mrs. Iliana Abella