The State of Poland Foundation, Tree Time Foundation and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland held a ceremony and reception at The Carlyle Hotel to commemorate the nation’s unity with the United States, represented through a Jabłonki project of planting over 300 flowering apple trees throughout New York City. During the ceremony, 17 of these trees were named, honoring the many Polish and American figures who have historically impacted the nations’ relationship.
Włodzimierz Dola, president of the State of Poland Foundation, kicked off the event, welcoming over 100 guests with an introduction to the organization and the tree-planting project in New York. Beata Daszynska-Muzyczka, president of the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) stepped in to introduce Jabłonki, the art of celebrating apples. She shared how the tree-planting project symbolizes the mutual heritage and friendship between Poland and the United States and a background on the BGK’s role in CSR activities.
Adrian Kubicki, consul general of the Republic of Poland in New York, greeted the guests by sharing a few words about the honored figures important to Polish-American history and why Jabłonki is essential to recognizing these individuals and bringing the two nations closer together. Daniel Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum and son of Richard Pipes, also paid homage to his parents by sharing a story of when his father served as a member of the National Security Council and led Eastern European and Soviet Affairs under Ronald Reagan. Danuta Nierada, creative and strategic director at the State of Poland Foundation, concluded the event presenting the plaques to the honorees, prior to their display on the trees.
Among those honored with trees planted in their name include Revolutionary War hero Tadeusz Kościuszko; veteran-turned-filmmaker Merian C. Cooper; Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander Kazimierz Pułaski; American documentarian Julien Bryan; soldier and Silver Star recipient Michael H. Ollis; and the Polish transatlantic liner nicknamed Lucky Ship. Notable guests included actors Patrick Wilson, Scott Foley and Marika Domińczyk.
The ceremony was followed by a celebratory party, where attendees were served apple-infused Polish beverages and snacks while surrounded by the music of Polish jazz trio, The Rotker-Lynn.
The event embodied a traditional Jabłonki celebration, an annual festival dedicated to honoring the apple trees that stretch across Poland’s landscape. Poland is often referred to as the “Orchard of Europe,” and accounts for approximately 30 percent of the total orchard area in the entire European Union, despite the country itself comprising just 7 percent of it. The expanse of Polish orchards saw a remarkable 11 percent growth, its fastest rate, between 2012 and 2017. In Poland, the Jabłonki festivities extend from May through late autumn, beginning when the apple trees begin to blossom and concluding with the harvest season.
For more information, visit www.stateofpoland.pl.
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