Total Signatures = 16338 - THANK YOU! The Threat of liquidation of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil (Switzerland) Select Language: April, 29.2010 The last victim of the Smolensk crash, Gen Andrzej Basik was buried at the Powazkach cemetery in Warsaw on April 28. 2010 Photo: Agencja Gazeta During the funeral ceremony of Gen Andrzej Basik, the commander of the Polish Air Force. Senator Franciszek Stefaniuk of PSL said that Gen Basik was a true leader, the last leaves from the fields of despair A true leader, the last to leave from the field of despair. May they rest in Peace. April 18, 2010 The memorial on our site has been extended until the last Smolensk victims coffin is returned to the soil of Poland. May they rest in Peace.     April 18,2010   The memorial on our site has been extended until the last Smolensk victims coffin is returned to the soil of Poland. May they rest in Peace.     April, 10. 2010 Our petition web expresses its deepest sympathies to the People of Poland, relatives and friends of the victims of the airplane crash in Smolensk. We had declared a week of mourning. Join us. Poland lost on the 10th of April 2010 some of its most dynamic leaders since its liberation in 1989. The irony is that it took place on a Russian airplane in Smolensk near the Katyn Forest were over 20,000 Polish officers were massacred by the Soviets. The delegation consisted of Polish leaders who were on their way to honor the victims of Stalin on the 70th anniversary of one of the most horrible crime of genocide ever committed against the Polish nation in 1940. The destruction of the Polish officer corps made it much easier for Stalin to gain control of Poland after the war. President Lech Kaczynski, his generals, staff, senators and civic leaders gave their lives to honor those who fell in 1940. Many of these leaders were familiar to us . They and others will remain in our memory forever.   Photo AP.   1. Kaczynski Lech. Poland's President since 2005 2. Kaczynska Maria. Poland's First Lady. Her uncle was killd at the Katyn forest massacre. 3. Kaczorowski Ryszard. Poland's last President in exile 4. Agacka-Indecka Joanna. Chairman of the Supreme Bar Council 5. Bakowska Ewa. granddaughter of Brig. Mieczyslaw Smorawinski 6. Blasik Andrzej. Polish Air Force Commander 7. Bochenek Krystyna. Deputy Parliament Speaker 8. Borowska Anna Maria. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members and other organizations 9. Borowski Bartosz. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members and other organizations 10. Buk Tadeusz. Commander of Land Forces of Poland 11. Chodakowski Miron. Ordinary Orthodox Polish Army 12. Cywinski Czeslaw. President of the World Union of Home Army Soldiers 13. Deptula Leszek. Representative of the Polish Parliament (PSL 14. Debski Zbigniew. Member of the Chapter Military Order of Military Virtutti 15. Dolniak Grzegorz. Representative of the Polish Parliament - Sejm (PO) 16. Doraczynska Katarzyna. Representative of the President's press office 17. Duchnowski Edward, Secretary General of the Union of Soviet persecutions 18. Fedorowicz Aleksander. Russian translator 19. Fetlinska Janina. Senator RP 20. Florczak Jaroslaw. BOR - Secret service officer 21. Francuz Artur. BOR - Secret service officer 22. Gagor Franciszek. Chief of General Staff of Polish Army 23. Gesicka Grazyna, representative of the Polish Parliament RP (PIS) 24. Gilarski Kazimierz, Garrison Commander Warszawa 25. Gosiewski Przemyslaw. Representative of the Polish Parliament RP(posel PiS) 26. Gostomski Bronislaw, ks. pralat 27. Handzlik Mariusz. Undersecretary of State in the President's Chancellery 28. Indrzejczyk Roman. Chaplain RP 29. Janeczek Pawel. BOR - Secret service officer 30. Jankowski Dariusz, Service Office of the Presidential Chancellery RP 31. Jaruga-Nowacka Izabela. Representative of the Polish Parliament - Sejm (SLD) 32. Joniec Józef. President of the Association Parafiada 33. Karpiniuk Sebastian. Representative of the Polish Parliament - Sejm (PO) 34. Karweta Andrzej, Navy Commander 35. Kazana Mariusz. Director of the MSZ Diplomatic Protocol 36. Kochanowski Janusz. Civil right commissioner 37. Komornicki Stanislaw. Civil right commissioner 38. Komorowski Stanislaw Jerzy. Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of National Defence 39. Krajewski Pawel. BOR - Secret service officer 40. Kremer Andrzej. Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs 41. Król Zdzislaw, Kapelan Warszawskiej Rodziny Katynskiej 1987-2007 42. Krupski Janusz. Head of the Office for War Veterans and Repressed Persons 43. Kurtyka Janusz. President of the Institute of National Remembrance 44. Kwasnik Andrzej, Kapelan Federacji Rodzin Katynskich 45. Kwiatkowski Bronislaw. The commander of the Polish Armed Forces Operational 46. Lubinski Wojciech. Polish President's physician 47. Lutoborski Tadeusz. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members and other organizations 48. Maminska Barbara, Director of the Presidential Chancellery 49. Mamontowicz-Lojek Zenona. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members 50. Melak Stefan,President of the Katyn Committee 51. Merta Tomasz, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Culture 52. Michalowski Dariusz. BOR - Secret service officer 53. Mikke Stanislaw. Vice President ROPWiM 54. Natalli-Swiat Aleksandra. Representative of the Polish Parliament - Sejm (PiS) 55. Natusiewicz-Mirer Janina. Social activist 56. Nosek Piotr. BOR - Secret service officer 57. Nurowski Piotr, szef PKOL 58. Orawiec-Löffler Bronislawa. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members 59. Osinski Jan, Ordinariate of the Polish Army 60. Pilch Adam, Ewangelickie Duszpasterstwo Polowe 61. Piskorska Katarzyna. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members 62. Plazynski Maciej. President of the Association "Polish Community" 63. Ploski Tadeusz, Ordynariusz Polowy Wojska Polskiego 64. Pogródka-Weclawek Agnieszka, BOR - secret service officer 65. Potasinski Wlodzimierz. Polish Special Forces Commander 66. Przewoznik Andrzej. Secretary ROPWiM 67. Putra Krzysztof. Deputy Speaker of the Sejm 68. Rumianek Ryszard. Rector UKSW 69. Rybicki Arkadiusz. Representative of the Polish Parliament RP 70. Seweryn Wojciech. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members 71. Skapski Andrzej Sariusz. President of the Federation of Katyn Families 72. Skrzypek Slawomir. President of the Polish National Bank 73. Solski Leszek. President of the Federation of Katyn Families 74. Stasiak Wladyslaw, szef Kancelarii Prezydenta RP 75. Surówka Jacek. BOR - Secret service officer 76. Szczyglo Aleksander. Chief of Bureau of National Security 77. Szmajdzinski Jerzy. Deputy Speaker of the Sejm 78. Szymanek-Deresz Jolanta. Representative of the Polish Parliament- Sejm 79. Tomaszewska Izabela. Dyrektor Zespolu Protokolarnego Prezydenta RP 80. Uleryk Marek. BOR - Secret service officer 81. Walentynowicz Anna. Legendary Solidarity organization activist 82. Walewska-Przyjalkowska Teresa. Vice President of the Foundation of the East Golgotha 83. Wassermann Zbigniew. Representative of the Polish Parliament RP 84. Woda Wieslaw. Representative of the Polish Parliament RP 85. Wojtas Edward, representative of the Polish Parliament RP 86. Wypych Pawel, Sekretarz Stanu w Kancelarii Prezydenta RP 87. Zajac Stanislaw. Senator RP 88. Zakrzenski Janusz. Outstanding Polish actor 89. Zych Gabriela. Representative of Katyn Families Surviving Members CREW MEMRER 90. Protasiuk Arkadiusz, flight-lieutenant 91. Grzywna Robert, crew member 92. Michalak Andrzej, crew member 93. Zietek Artur, crew member 94. Maciejczyk Barbara, stewardess 95. Januszko Natalia, stewardess 96. Moniuszko Justyna, stewardess May they rest in peace.   Administrator Rapperswil-Casle.com and Staff                     Wanda Bronisława Tomczykowska * 8.29.1921 † 3.2.2010 Founder and President for 38 years of The Polish Arts and Culture Foundation in San Francisco, recipient of numerous medals and commendations from Poland and the American government for her untiring promotion of Poland’s rich heritage. Her fervent patriotiotism, propelled by what she had endured in WW2,lived long enough to finally see Poland’s freedom from oppression. Changing the lives of thousands, Pani Wanda as she was affectionately called, will be missed by everyone who knew her. Her fascinating life account can be found on Wikipedia. A longtime resident of Berkeley and Oakland, Ms Wanda was active in the civic and cultural life of the Bay Area. Born into an old, fiercely patriotic, Polish family, tracing its roots almost 700 years, Ms Wanda Tomczykowska embodied all that she had seen as a young girl, and was taught as a student, on the subject of defending country, family and faith. Poland’s turbulent history has been written in blood, on the pages of Time by a fickle hand. Geographically challenged with unfriendly neighbors and malevolent invaders, Ms. Wanda remembered the losses of centuries gone by, as well as the handful of years still smoking around her, as she fervently dismissed the ridicule, slurs and insults, by propagating all the good about Poland,  the romantic bliss and the nostalgic magic of this fatigued land. Poland’s soul is heard in the music of Chopin and Moniuszko; her heart in the words of Kochanowski and Mickiewicz, her head in the discoveries of Kopernik and Sklodowska-Curie. Ms Wanda took all that was denied Poland in the mid 1900’s and brought it to the fore in her adopted land of America. Before the PACF, Ms Wanda handed out fruit and clothing to Displaced Persons arriving in Boston Harbor in 1948, organizing Polish Dance Companies in 1949 and 1957, joining forces with Eisenhower’s People-to-People Program in 1959 by creating a 20-nation company called Dance Around the World. For Polish exhibits in stores, museums, on college campuses or schools, the walls of her home would be stripped of her Polish treasures, just to share them with the community and to teach future generations that the world did not stop at their front gate. Demanding excellence from others, she was even more ruthless with herself. That drive helped San Francisco have the only Lech Walesa Way in the world, a Joseph Conrad Square and innumerable new friends who now treat Poles with the highest regard. The PACF’s annual Polonaise Balls at The Fairmont Hotel’s Gold Room are legendary. The dozens of exhibits over the years at the Main Library, at Stanford and UCBerkeley, have showcased Polish history, music and the arts. What Pani Wanda sacrificed in her private life for this Polish Cause matches the many sacrifices and obstacles of her compatriots, a sacrifice that cannot be ignored. The numerous Medals and Diplomas of Recognition Pani Wanda has received are tangible symbols of gratitude, reminders of the work, the vision, and the magnificent obsession from which we all have benefited. An elegant lady who loved to travel and was more adventurous than she looked, lived with style and panache, through good times and bad, retired, due to poor health, to Krakow, Poland, not far from her beloved Wawel Hill, where another historical Wanda made a difference too. On Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Pani Wanda finally succumbed, in Krakow, Poland, to the ravages of old age and diabetes. While vacationing in Poland in May 2002 she suffered a series of strokes, which prevented her return to San Francisco. She is survived by her grieving daughter Caria, loving grandchildren Remy, Dariana and Sebastian Szykier and great-granddaughters Hennessy and Lillian. She was predeceased by Caria's daughter Andria and son Damien. There will be a Holy Mass and Celebration of Life at 2:15pm on March 20th at St. Ignatius Church (Fulton and Stanyan) in San Francisco. Memorial Masses will be celebrated in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland in mid-April.               Our Opinion (Sep.18.2009) Did Kali’sart work includesexual accentuations and what happened to them? Let us return to the beginnings of the artistic career of Ms. Hanna Gordzialkowska -Weynerowska- Kali. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, for many young Poles, their imaginations, ambitions and even lives had changed dramatically. Kali at that time was a student in the Art Academy in Warsaw where she wanted to continue her studies. Instead she found herself drawn into the underground resistance movement, i.e. The Home Army, the largest underground, organized army in the world at that time. She was quick to enroll in and study at the underground military school, graduating with the rank of lieutenant. She was assigned to a Special Force unit dealing with sabotage in all its forms. Kali was wounded in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 and for her heroism she was awarded the Uprising Cross. After the Uprising collapsed, Kali was captured by the Germans and sent to a German military prison camp. Later Kali was liberated by the Soviet Army. She was living in the Soviet Sector from which she escaped to Belgium in the Fall of 1945. While in Belgium she resumed her art studies at the Royal Art Academy in Brussels. By 1950 Kali had moved to Canada where she achieved a great success and recognition. Her art works earned many prestigious awards. Her art was selected to represent Canada in its Modern Art Exhibition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil and also in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1953 Kali and her husband Henryk moved to California, living in San Francisco. The U.S. art critics praised her work highly and both its appreciation and prices continued to increase. Kali preferred to keep many of her works close at hand; however, when needed, she would use them as collateral for loan guarantees for her home where kept many of the works, located at 191 Robinhood, San Francisco, California. The basic foundation of Kali’s artistic success was the humanism reflected in her brush. No where throughout her works will you ever find reference to the war and brutality that she hated to her dying day. Her husband, who was also her best friend, Henryk, passed way in 1988 in San Francisco. From that time onward Kali gradually stopped working at her art. Later on Kali made a contact with the former director of the Polish Museum in Rappersvil Mr. Janusz S. Morkowski who was visiting his son in California. As a result of this chance meeting, Kali bequeathed in her will several pieces of her famous art work to the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. On June 20, 1998 Kali died from a wound by a firearm discharge. Kali’s nephew Mr. Mark Woytowicz Wyatt of Santa Rosa, California was the sole executor of Kali’s Will. Mark Woytowicz Wyatt sent to Janusz S. Morkowski a list of seventy nine (79) pieces of Kali’s art. He and Morkowski maintained a very close contact. Listed below is the original data of Kali’s art bequeathed to the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. Please click below to see the detailed list (PDF Format).   In Rappersvil Morkowski ordered that special boxes be made for all the art pieces and shipped to California for packing up the art work for shipment back to Rappersvil. Unfortunately not single piece of Kali’s art ever reached Rappersvil since the date the Will was processed. All of Kali’s art (see list above) was presented on the Internet on the website www.kaligallery.com. From this website was taken pictures all the Kali art work that can be seen below. All the Kali art work was removed from the website (www.kaligallery.com). The website was taken down by the owner even though the website had been paid up through 19-AUG-2010. On the link below you may still find Mark Wyatt as the registrant of the Kaligallery.com www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/kaligallery.com On link www.cafepress.com/kaligallery you find that someone sells tee shirts with printed pictures of Kali. According to copyright law the use of publishing rights and any profit there from belong to the Polish Museum at Rappersvil. On the link www.najmici.net/malarstwo_kali.htm we find a text in English about Kali art that was supposed to be in the Polish Museum from the time when Janusz S. Morkowski was director. We informed Mr. Piotr Mojski Chairman Polish Cultural Foundation "Libertas" Schloss Rapperswil about our discovery. He is responsible to protect any gift or donation coming to the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. Our letter remains without any substantive response. After we sent our letter Piotr Mojski gave an order to Polish Museum not to provide any information to anyone as to what happened with the gift of Hanna Gordzialkowska-Weynerowska- Kali. Probably Mr. Mojski thinks that rumors about the sexual overtones of Kali art are true and he would like to protect employees of the Museum from accusations of propagating pornography. In this way he thinks he can be free of the problem and keep a clear conscience. After a thorough review of all Kali art we have a different opinion. Predominating is Kali’s humanism in art thus creating the contrast and texture. Under Kali’s brush, shadows are made to perfection and become a great attribute of her paintings. We do not see in Kali art any sexual accents. In our opinion Piotr Mojski's handling of his neighbor and friend is a very problematic matter when it comes to holding back. We believe that in Rapperswil there should be set up a Special Commission to investigate this whole matter. For this job we suggest the very energetic Mr. Max Berti or the director of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil Anna Buchmann. The ineffective Mr. Piotr Mojski would not be the man for this job. Every interested reader of this article should get his or her own impression by viewing Kali’s art works. If you have any information about missing Kali art please contact Polish Muzeum in Rapperswil, director Polish Museum in Rapperswil (www.muzeum-polskie.org) a.buchmann@muzeum-polskie.org or our web admin@rapperswil-castle.com You may also contact Piotr Mojski, Chairman Polish Cultural Foundation "Libertas" Schloss Rapperswil p.mojski@muzeum-polskie.org When viewing the slides you will encounter a slight delay. This is due to the high resolution. Please be patient. Art of Hanna Weynerowska Kali Please click below to see pieces of Kali's art (PDF Format).  Details of the art Hanna Weynerowska Kali Please click below to see (PDF Format)   Ms Paulina Gedlek from Poland is registered as 16000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You!           Mr Jaroslaw Frontczek from Poland is registered as 15000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You!   Our Opinion (11.11.2008) Who made money off the  granite headstones of the graves? The tombs of Count Wladyslaw Plater, his wife Karolina and Henryk Bukowski who no longer exist. At the same time as the authorities in the town of Rapperswil were ordered to seal the entrance of the mausoleum containing urns with the heart of General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, also the tomb of the tombs of Count Wladyslaw Plater "were liquidated" The former inhabitants of Rapperswil say that the bodies were wrapped in three gunny sacks and buried in a common grave, without the presence of a priest. The granite tombstones were used on other tombs and the graves where the bodies rested in oak coffins were filled in. To what extent is this information true? It is difficult to say today. Photos of the graves, taken 63 years ago speak for themselves. We were informed of the widespread practice in Switzerland as permitted by law, which is to allow new burials in graves whose ownership in no longer in existence in order not to enlarge cemetery grounds, the gravestones being sold to be used elsewhere. However in regard to the graves of Plater, his wife, and Henryk Bukowski, there has been no new burials recorded.  What happened with the graves of Plater, his wife and Bukowski demonstrates a premeditated action and, by chance ironically, the graves were located in the canton of St. Gallen. In the canton of Nidwalden, there has been for a very long time, a beautiful custom: next to each tomb there is a small container filled with water. You can soak a branch and consecrate the grave. In this way, visitors highlight the exceptional holiness of this place and bind together symbolically with the person who is no longer with us.   It is a widespread use in Europe to maintain the graves of people whose actions have contributed to the development and enhancement of our civilization. The care of the graves also show respect for those who have left us. By his actions, Plater has contributed not only to the country where he was born but also to Rapperswil where he created the first museum in history in the city of Rapperswil. After the closure of the prison castle, in which prisoners were living in inhumane conditions, the castle was abandoned and fell into disuse and over time became a total loss. Thanks to Plater, his money and many donors from around the world, the castle still exists today. Most people in Rapperswil are aware of these circumstances but do they know that the current authorities of the town of Rapperswil are able to correct the mistakes of their predecessors? Or, are they subject to the influences of the head of the "Group of Three" who, under a semblance of democracy, sees only its own interests. Or, will they stay silent and ignore this case that is not only a matter of the Polish ethnic group but also of all the inhabitants of Rapperswil? On behalf of the Polish government, the new Ambassador to Switzerland, quietly has had discussions with authorities in the town of Rapperswil-Jona and the City. These discussions were conducted without the participation of the Directorate of Museum Rapperswil nor by Friends of the Museum. For what purpose were these discussions held? Could they have been held in order to divide the estate’s museum after its liquidation? And perhaps the Polish government will encourage its Ambassador there to actively and officially restore respect for the ashes of the creator of the museum, with his wife Karolina and Bukowski and to maintain the independence of the Polish museum at the castle of Rapperswil. It appears from documents found in private Swedish archives  that the town of Rapperswil made a proposal to Plater to buy the castle but because of a too high price asked, the Count chose to lease. Today, being able to view the castle from the air, we can better appreciate the amount of money that Plater spent for the reconstruction of only roofs of the Castle not to mention the costs of reconstruction inside. With the exception of the clock tower and the firewatch tower, everything was in ruins. (See: http://www.rapperswil-castle.com/news.php Discovery of the Archives NYT). The fairy story telling of "theft of the Castle by Poles" can be thrown into the trash.  We can do a comparison of money spent, if this is an argument of the Municipality or the "Group of three" that under the smokescreen of exposure, fashioned a false pretext of a better use for the castle, being the liquidation of the Museum. It is high time for the “deciders” to end their “quiet” negotiations and to start the public, constructive talks on the future of the museum in the castle with the participation of all parties concerned. "Workshops" which have no meaning,in our opinion, are used as  smoke screens for unclear concepts and proposals. With great respect for Swiss democracy, we must say: -This is not only your business but also is the business of those who elected you, residents of Rapperswil and the town of Rapperswil-Jona.  - This is not the only interest of the Ambassador of Poland but the interest of Poles who live outside Poland around the world and all people in Poland. - It is our intention that people of goodwill who live in dozens of countries in the civilized world address this  Petition to Retain the Polish Museum in Rapperswil Castle to the Swiss authorities. See below 1945 photo of Plater’s his wife Karolina and Henryk Bukowski original tombs at the castle, in Rapperswil, after the German capitulation. The photo comes from the book Bukowski: konsthandelshus ett i Stockholm 1870-1945 Karl Asplund, Stockholm 1945   Contemporary picture of a part of the saved monument. Where are the graves of Count Plater, his wife and Henrk Bukowski? Where are the three disappeared tombstones, each weighing more than 350 kg and Henryk Bukowski monument? For the last two years the museum was managed by Director Anna Buchmann.  She made renovations to the two remaining sections of the tomb monument.  The cost of the renovation was covered by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland. These two sections were thought to be the actual burial site of Plater, et al. However this is not the case. One wonders why the descendants of the Plater family living in Switzerland, never were concerned about the graves of their ancestors. They have always known that Wladislaw Plater was the founder of the museum and that he had found his last refuge there.    Aerial photo of contemporary castle and its environs published with the agreement of Mr André Locher.http://www.swisscastles.ch The following are listed: 1- instead of the original tomb of Plater, his wife and Bukowski. The tombs were oriented by the old east-west burial tradition. Who disturbed these graves? 2 - at the entrance of the castle Westside the key is only for the restaurant when open for receptions. In the days and hours of the museum, there is no access to the symbolic tomb consisting of two sections of the saved monument.  3 - Old Powder Tower; the entrance to the mausoleum of General Kosciuszko, hero of two nations European and American, was and remains sealed off. 4 - This is the section where Plater has erected a column of Bar after signing the agreement with the town of Rapperswil; 5 - Contemporary location of the column Bar after renovation by the Poles. For several years it had remained overturned in the bushes nearby. 6 - Main entrance to the castle 7 - Clock Tower. 8 - Former Fire Watch Tower 9 - Roof built entirely by Plater. The roof did not exist when Plater took the castle for rent for 99 years, so he decided to change the construction of the castle raised a floor under the roof on the photo mentioned in #9. Under this roof, a concert hall replaces today the vast exhibition hall which existed during his lifetime.   Mr Wojciech Dygut from Canada is registered as 14000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You! Ms Nancy Ballhorn from United Stated of America is registered as 12000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You!     S  c  a  n  d  a  l Regarding the Removal of the Polish Museum from the Castle at Rappersvil A meeting took place on Tuesday June 24 from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM 2008 at Rappersvil Castle in a hall built and financed by the Count Wladyslaw Plater in 1895. The meeting drew more then 300 persons consisting of the activist and residents of the city of Rapperswil with a numerous group of Polonians and their Swiss Friends. The audience represented many generations who took active part in discussions about the scandalous proposal to remove the Polish Museum from the castle. The meeting was called by the mayor of the City of Rappersvil but It was a great surprise to note the absence on the podium of the official representatives of the city and local administration of a commune Rapperswil. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future of the Polish Museum and the Castle. Strangely, sitting on the dais and speaking at the podium was the representative of the "Group of Three" locally known as "Pro Schloss". This group does not have any legal status. The group is embodied in the person of one Bruno Hug. Sitting with Bruno  Hug') was James Schäpper, local F.D.P. representative http://www.fdprj.ch/de/Partei_10130.html and member of the aforementioned group. In attendance among others were; Peter Röllin was there representing the city's cultural affairs department. Philipp Bachofner, organizer of the famous Castle Concerts, who praised the outstandingly great acoustic features of the Hall built by Count Wladyslaw Plater. Professor German Ritz from the Department of Slavic University Zurich, represented Polish Museum Was present the current staff Polish Embassy in Bern, Mr Jaroslaw Bajaczyk and Consul Mieczyslaw Sokolowski. The main representative of "the group of three ' and main opponent of the Polish Museum at the Castle was, Bruno Hug, a local businessman. Many of the speakers interviewed affectionately referred to him as "our Bruno" during half an hour of his presentation. In his statement, he took the side of the other members of the "group of three." and left the meeting hall. Hi was so rush for a meeting with his sports business http://www.lakers.ch/d/home.asp and he do not has a time to explained plan of establishing a ball room in place of the Polish museum to be located near an exclusive restaurant in the Castle and a regional museum to make more profitable castle. From Bruno Hug's statement it can be noted that "the group of three" has not resigned from this scandalous proposal to do away with the Polish Museum at the Castle. The future of the Museum and the castle is still uncertain. Mr. Bruno Hug spoke on behalf for those who have entered into a contract with the Museum, which is the voice of the municipalities around Rapperswil. Many in attendance asked themselves the question, how is it possible, that "our Bruno" had the right to speak on matters belonging to the jurisdiction of cities and municipalities. http://www.dinersclubarena.ch/pdf_downloads/arena.pdf . For many it was difficult to understand this situation as handled by Mr.Bruno' Hug. Mr.Hug stated his position that the city should cancel agreement (lease) with Poles to house the Polish Museum. He also said that with the implementation of the new ideas it will require rebuilding the Castle, and incur additional costs. It will be necessary to establish "some foundations" with the local municipalities and cities, Mr. Hug and others would be shareholder. The proceedings failed to give the participants at the meeting any indication of how would the profits be distributed? Many participants at the meeting believed that Bruno Hug is first and foremost, a businessman and editor of local newspapers http://www.moneyhouse.ch/p/Hug/Bruno//Bollingen+(Rapperswil-Jona)/index.htm for whom the Museum would create a profitable business as well as for the state institutions. As a result he will become famous. No one believes that the castle would be a good location for new regional museum. Dr. Peter Röllin - art historian from Rapperswil. He stated that the Polish museum has a great potential for tourist and business to the community. The "Pro Schloss group" is not well informed about history and its importance. He also said that the castle is not a playground, where you can exchange players, as you like. These remarks met with strong applause. Prof. Ritz presented questions about financing and planning. He declared his assistance and to participate in the development of the project to modernize the Museum. At the end of the meeting Local Administration of Rapperswil asked for volunteers to sign a paper to work on a committee to creative new projects how to make better use of the castle. The paper quickly disappeared. People from audience asked a question how many people belonged to the "group three" and agreed with them, but no one answered. In final speech of President of the City Rapperswil-Jona, Benedict Würth, praised Mr. Hug and his ideas to remove the Polish Museum from the Castle. One of the participants asked the President of the city of Rapperswil, whether he also represents "a group of three"? In his speech the President of the City did not mention one word about history of the Polish Museum and over 138 year impact the museum had on the local community and business in the city Rapperswil. Who exactly pulls the strings in a plan to remove the Polish Museum of Rapperswil castle? Who is responsible for attacks on the symbol of the Polish ethnic group and who has an interest in creating a conflict between people? This scandal needs to attain the attention of the Swiss federal authority to maintain the Polish Museum at the castle in Rappersvil. A petition of signatures is presented at http://www.rapperswil-castle.com from 66 countries of the world. Bruno Hug in his newspaper distributed to the inhabitants of Rappersvil repeats slogans abou tthe"aggressivePolish nation." http://www.suedostschweiz.ch/medien/archiv/pdf/blaettern_gross_frameset.cfm?seite=01_onon_01_2008-06-26 (19 lokalspiegel) How can the local and federal authorties permit such an attack on a ethnic group in modern Switzerland? The result of the meeting held, showed a strong support for Museum location at the castle for 138 years. The whole discussion proved that Museum was and is an important institution in city and Switzerland. It will assist in maintaining Polish tradition and culture in Switzerland and Europe and a great opportunity for the city and tourism. PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING POLISH MUSEUM IN RAPPERSWIL On June 24, 2008 , at 19.30 o clock (7.30 PM) in the Castle of Raperswil, in the hall (picture attached) constructed by the private funds of the Graff Wladyslaw Plater as well as free Polonians donations - will take place a public debate about the scandalous proposition to remove the Polish Museum from the Castle. At the Graff W. Plater time this hall was called the "Great Exhibition Hall"; these days it is called "the Great Knights Hall", even though the above mentioned tendency has nothing in common with knights and especially with the chivalry. In our opinion the most proper name shall be "the Graff Wladyslaw Plater's Hall".   Response to the hundreds of letters received. The hundreds of question flow in - why announcing the Public meeting being omitted the organizers…? Now, the organizers of the public discussion on June 24, 2008, at 7.30PM are the city council of Rapperswil. Regretfully we have no idea if the City President will attend. We hope, that the City will be represented by people with authority, whom will be able to respond to many of your questions directed to us. We take this opportunity to thank you for the genuine interest about the Polish Museum; we are equally as you convinced that the meeting will be a constructive one. Of course we are sending our representative to observe development of this event. Then we will report all to you. DISCOVERED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVE We found an article in The New York Times archive dated 19 May 1895 about the Polish Rapperswil Museum. Click to Open. Please read this article in PDF format entitled* "POLAND'S ONLY NATIONAL LAND; MUSEUM OF RAPPERSWIL NEAR ZURICH IN SWITZERLAND. Count Ladislas Plater's Gift to His Compatriots -- Andre Bukowski's Collection of Rare Art Objects". The Article speaks about the entire Castle being in total ruin except for two rooms, i.e. the Clock Tower and Watch Tower. It was in this condition when Count Wladyslaw Plater signed the Contract for ninety-nine years. The two rooms mentioned in the Article were occupied by guard-sentries. Could it be that the people of Rapperswil have forgotten that the Castle as it is today was restored and saved by the Polish people? * Requires AcrobatReader Dr Theodor Curti  A lot of your questions concerns Dr Theodore Curti. We are in the process of preparing more elaborate materials about the activities of this statesman, who at the end of his life was the chief editor of the "Frankfurter Zeitung" (1902-1914). That newspaper was a predecessor of nowadays very popular the "Frankfurter Allgemaine Zeitung" In the process of preparations is also the elaborated part about the history of the Museum - from its beginning to this days. A special emphasis will take place on an involvement of some prominent Rapperswil's families; the most active ones as Hans Rathgeba, Walter or Domeisen family. According to some historical material in our hands - Dr Theodore Curti was never properly recognized by politicians of Raperswill, moreover as the Count Wladyslaw Plater. Perhaps an idea to name one of the City Hall's rooms - Dr Theodore Curti room - or install a commemorative board, honoring above historian, medical doctor, social activist, publisher, politician and former president of the City of Raperswil, who was born in 1848 in Raperswill. With out his good-will and help the idea of Count Wladyslaw Plater's to create the Polish Museum will be unable to materialize. Because of that - in our "Petition" - we put both of them on the same level. (A new - archive - picture of Dr Theodore Curtis can be seen in the part - "photos".)  Below - photos from the Museum's history. The president of the City Rapperswil- Honorable Walter Domeinsen and Polonians Pastoral - Most Reverend Wladyslaw Rubin during the meeting of the Swiss - Polish Friends of the Museum Society in 1977 In June 21, 1975 took place the renewal opening of the Polish Museum. On photo Honorable Hans Ratheb, the City Councilman as well as the well- merited President of the Society of the Friend of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. In opening speech he underlined that -"it is a day which will be the most beautiful in my life. I am touched that we have had such a numerous gathering". The count Julian Godlewski - benefactor of the Museum on these days. Thanks to him the Museum get a solid financial fdoundation.   Informacja dla Ambasady RP w Szwajcarii Ambasada RP w Bernie Elfenstrase 20a 3000 Bern 15 Tel.: 004131-358 02 09 Offener Brief An den schweizerischen Bundesrat & Herrn Bundesratpräsident Herrn Pascal Couchepin Frankfurt/M., den 18. Mai 2008 Thema: Ich bitte den schweizerischen Bundesrat die entsprechende Schritte zu unternehmen, damit das Polnische Museum im Schloß in Rapperswil die weiteren Jahrzehnte arbeiten dort kann. Sehr geehrter Bundesratpräsident, Herr Couchepin, Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich erfuhr, daß das Schloß in Rapperswil, der Sitz des Polnischen Museums, einst eine abbruchreife Schloßruine, das im Laufe von 130 Jahren von Polonia und den Schweizern zu einem Prachtschloß umgewandelt wurde (nach 1945 verläuft die Arbeit und im Standhalten des Polnischen Museums ohne einer finanziellen Unterstützung der schweizerischen Behörden jedoch auf der Grundlage des Vertrages mit der Gemeinde und ihres Wohlwollens) und Dank des großen Engagement der schweizerischen Polonia bis heute sehr gut geführt wurde, nun an einen privaten Käufer verkauft werden könnte. Für mich ist leicht vorstellbar, daß bei dem Wechsel des Schloßbesitzers, werden z.B. die Steuern an die kantonale Steuerbehörde des neuen Besitzers/Käufers des Schloßes in Rapperswil deutlich höher liegen als die heutigen Pächter - Polnisches Museum - diese heute zu entrichten verpflichtet sind. Auf diese Weise könnten auch andere Geldbeträge, die mit dem Wechsel des Besitzers zustande kommen würden, der kantonalen Administration extra Quellen der Gelder zur Verfügungen stellen, die womöglich anderen Bereichen des öffentlichen Lebens zu Gute kommen könnten, sei es der Finanzierung der Parkanlagen, der öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel etc. Das Polnische Museum würde in so einem Fall statt eines repräsentativen Schloßes in Rapperswil, kein zweites Schloß als Domizil erhalten, um durch ihre kulturelle Arbeit die Polen und Schweizer nahe einander zu bringen, und gleichzeitig in Erinnerung der Welt aufzubewahren, daß die in der Schweiz internierten polnischen Soldaten im II. Weltkrieg fünf Jahre lang unentgeltlich an diesem Schloß und anderen Bauprojekten ihrer neuen Heimat tätig waren, weil sie genauso wie die Schweizer nicht für den Krieg sondern an der Zukunft im Frieden arbeiten wollten. Würden die 80% der ausländischen Besucher, die in großen Scharren das Polnische Museum jedes Jahr zu dem am meist besuchten Museums dieser Gegend machen, sich die Mühe machen, so wertvolle Ausstellungen dieses Museums, wie die Polnische Schule der Kunst- und Baudenkmalpflege oder der die Ausstellung von Beständen des Preußischen Museums, unter einer anderen Adresse zu suchen wäre, wenn das Polnische Museum eine abgelegene, nah eines Murmeltierbaus Alpenhütte in Aussicht bekommen würde, die ebenfalls mit höheren Gebühren als ihr früherer Besitzer dafür zahlte, zu haben wäre, damit nach dem Verlauf der nächsten 120 Jahren der sehr kostspieligen für Polonia Selbstfinanzierung des neuen Sitzes des Polnischen Museums, diese Geschichte sich wiederholen könnte? Das ist die Sichtweise des Problems mit den Augen eines EU-Bürgers. Eine gesundere Perspektive dieses Problems könnte der schweizerische Bundesrat realisieren, wo es nicht um den schnellen, heutigen, finanziellen Gewinn für die respektablen Käufer bzw. der Immobilienspekulanten geht, sondern um die Bedeutung der Schweiz im Ausland als ein Land, in dem vom II. Weltkrieg bis heute die Erhaltung der polnischen Kultur im Polnischen Museum auf dem Schloß von Rapperswil für die Bürger von Schweiz und die ausländischen Touristen weiterhin ein Symbol des Respekts der schweizerischen Nation für die Kultur der anderen Völker auf dem Boden von Schweiz zu sehen sein kann. Ich bitte Sie, Herr Bundesratspräsident und den schweizerischen Bundesrat die entsprechende Schritte zu unternehmen, damit das Polnische Museum im Schloß in Rapperswil die weiteren Jahrzehnte arbeiten kann. Im voraus danke ich Ihnen für Ihr wohlwollen gegenüber derm Polnischen Museum in Rapperswil, einem Symbol des gemeinsemen Respekts vor der Kultur der Völker Europas. Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Schriftstellerin, Journalistin, Maria Sulkowska-Kneier D-60316 Frankfurt / Germany* * Administrator www.rapperswill-castle.com entfernt private Adresse Mr. Filip Andrzejczak from Poland is register 10000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You!   Mr. Maciej Maska from Poland is register 9000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You!    Mr. Anthony Dynowski from Poland is register 7000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You! Mr. Urs Bosshard from Switzerland is register 5000 th petitioner. Congratulation! Congratulation to All of You!   SIGN OUR PETITION Independent Historical Research, USA - 2008 | admin@rapperswil-castle.com