THE POLISH PANORAMA ROOM
The Polish Panorama brings to its viewers a new consciousness of the faith, courage and indestructibility of the Polish nation. The Panorama is a moving diorama of the history of Poland through the presentation of major characters, each 30 inches high in authentic costume, following each other as if in a parade through an automated system. Their roles and contributions to the history and culture of Poland and Polish America are described by a narrator: Rev. Walter Ziemba in English and Rev. Zdzislaus Peszkowski in Polish. Special lighting effects and musical background enrich the performance.
The Panorama dramatizes the history of Poland from beginnings shrouded in legend through such major events of our times as the election of Pope John Paul II and the rise of the Solidarity movement. Its 107 characters are drawn from the struggles of writers, peasants, saints, statesmen, soldiers and artists to remain faithful to the ideals of Christianity and the Polish nation. Their story, extended by immigrants to America in the last century, is indispensable to understanding the impact of Poland upon the modern world.
The Polish Panorama Room opened officially on Feb. 14, 1985, as a major event of the centenary celebrations of the Orchard Lake Schools. The principal benefactors of the project are Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Obloy and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mazur. They were joined by by Mr. and Mrs. William Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Slavsky, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Knott, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Krajewski, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Padzieski. The figures and costumes, which took hundreds of hours to research and sew, were designed and executed in Poland under the direction of Mr. Zbigniew Baran, who also supervised the construction of the motorized set.
VIEWING
The Polish Panorama Room is located in the Activities Building. It is open during "Polish Day" on the first Sunday of every month, and at other times by appointment. Call (248) 683-0345.
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