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

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

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

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

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

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