Must read

Years ago a friend of mine brought me a book and said that it’s a must-read. It was a science-fiction novel written by Orson Scott Card, titled “Ender’s game”. Although I was never an avid reader of this genre, I gave it a chance.

The book was published in 1985 and during the same year it received a Nebula Award. Furthermore, in 1986 it also got a Hugo Award and a nomination for the Locus Award. Science-fiction lovers will know what that means about the novel.

The plot is quite simple but interesting. The Government needs to save an endangered world and the only hope is a brilliant kid. The situation is a real challenge not only for him.

The main protagonist must take obligatory military training, which is very demanding. Ender Wiggin is a well-created convincing person, with weak and strong features. Readers can observe that from one adventure to another he becomes more mature and responsible, as well as learning to deal with problems, making decisions and managing people.

In such company I discovered the rules of the planning process and building strategy, which often required the determination and total devotion of other people, especially kids, involved in the project.

Was this aspect really crucial for me then? It unexpectedly opened my eyes to new important possibilities, which I still appreciate. I also gained some insight into human behaviour and ways of thinking as well as dealing with emotions in difficult situations.

Needless to say, the book turned out to be well-written, very absorbing and unputdownable. It was a pleasure to feel immersed in reading it. I highly recommend this book, especially to teenagers and young adults.

by Justyna Komar

How to deal with our cultural heritage?

How to deal with our cultural heritage?

Let me make an assumption that almost everyone thinks that cultural heritage is unmeasurable value of each nation. It’s not easy to protect it in money-oriented world. To save history and it’s signs characteristic for local communities we are working on some projects supported by local people and some governmental funds.

There is a lot of needs and any funds are not sufficient. If we want to save memories and historical buildings for the next generations, we will have to choose between the priorities. We are not able to skip funding for museums and old buildings’ renovation. The government should offer some incentives for private investors, to share these responsibilities wherever it’s possible. The historical places, buildings with their premises can be changed into significant culture centers with exhibition areas for contemporary art, shops with souvenirs, artistic handmade goods and local small business products. There could be placed departments of museums as well. Then, funds for renovation of valuable for the region buildings would be given to the museums, which would renovate and re-adapt them for their and local community purposes.

Additionally, some educational projects should be run. Young people have to be prepared to feel engaged in their community, should be taught it’s history. The best way to learn about cultural heritage is to come and see, to touch and listen to important people, places, things. Without education, giving any funds to protect local signs of past days has no chance to be appreciated.

In summary, every way to save cultural heritage of the region is needed. There is enough space for museums and private investments. The key element of passing on the history to the next generations is education, which should be connected with young people engagement in local community issues.

by Justyna Komar

jest takie miejsce...

W Zakopanem przy ul. Jagiellońskiej 18b mieści się Galeria Władysława Hasiora. Pamiętam ją jeszcze z lat dziewięćdziesiątych, gdy można tu było spotkać rzeźbiarza i jego artystycznych przyjaciół. Dziś ma się wrażenie, jakby czas się tu tak trochę zatrzymał. Aktualnie jest to Filia Muzeum Tatrzańskiego.

 

photo: Justyna Komar

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Komentarz: Zakopane, Poland

Jazz w "Promie"

W ramach cyklu "Cały ten jazz" odbyło się 3 marca spotkanie z pianistą jazzowym Kubą Stankiewiczem.

photos: Justyna Komar

Wszystkie prawa zastrzeżone 

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Komentarz: Spotkanie z Kubą Stankiewiczem, Prom Kultury Saska Kępa

Yellow Submarine review

The “Yellow Submarine” is a wonderful colourful amazing animated film created by artists known more as the musicians than directors or producers. Have you ever heard of this title? The movie and the song about this Submarine are famous especially in The United Kingdom, but not only there. The “Happy lonely people” is one more song which is a part of this unique, story illustrated by The Beatles. Have you ever heard it? I’m sure you have. The film was produced in 1968 so it’s not a new one, but it is so important and so impressive, that I have decided to write about it. It’s not very easy, but you can find it published on a DVD. Mine is released by Subafilms Ltd.

The film is full of well-known songs, shocking a bit explosion of coloured graphics and animation based on the fantasy and imagination of these unusual creative artists, and had a real influence on future art and has inspired the others. The model or sculpture of this ship you can see also e.g. in Monaco.

The film tells the story of the inhabitants of Pepperland – an imaginary land of joy, happiness and people who love music. As you can predict, such a happy situation couldn’t last forever, because people are just human beings and have some problems with appreciating happiness. The envious Blue Miners wanted to destroy The Pepperland by transforming it into a land of sadness with a lack of the enjoyable sounds of music.

Thanks to John, Paul, George and Ringo with their enthusiasm and music Pepperland was saved. Does the story finish with a happy end? You need to check it!

by Justyna Komar