Months of preparations and years in the making – the general public live premiere of ‘Chopin. The Space Concert’ at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center was a great success. This special screening went above and beyond to raise awareness for establishing the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma in Poland.
- Fryderyk Chopin’s everlasting masterpieces and unique film by Adam Ustynowicz
- The beauty of the Earth as seen from space
- Fundraising for establishing the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma in Poland
- A new painting unveiled by Agnieszka Pilat dedicated to the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma
This sold-out fundraising event gathered many notable guests.
- His Excellency Marek Magierowski – Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States of America
- Ms. Robin L. Dunnigan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Mr. Yaroslav Brisiuck, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Ukraine
- His Excellency Adam Niedzielski, Minister of Health of the Republic of Poland
- General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force
- The Honorable Georgette Mosbacher, Former Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Poland
The event was opened by the President of the Medical Society of Virginia, Dr. Harry Gewanter, who emphasized the significance of the event to celebrate the friendship between the United States., Poland, and Ukraine, and to support the critical goal set by the Alliance for Innovation, with assistance from the Medical Society of Virginia and Baylor College of Medicine, to create a Center of Excellence for Polytrauma in Poland.
Photo: Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, polytrauma.org
“The purpose of the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma is to provide help from point of injury to rehabilitation initially focusing on prosthetics, rehabilitation, and psychological treatment, including PTSD and acute stress disorder. During the first phase of this project, we have helped two wounded veterans. They were treated in Warsaw by the best specialists from Poland and the U.S. The Center of Excellence will engage American specialists to train Polish and Ukrainian physicians and other healthcare providers on state-of-the-art technologies and treatment modalities to serve civilians and veterans. The training will allow Polish and Ukrainian providers to treat patients using the most current and successful care models and give them tools and resources to educate other providers beyond our initial 2023 pilot group, allowing for future sustainability and independent practice. – Dr. Michael Czekajlo, Co-Chairman of the Alliance for Innovation, shared the goals of the project.
Michael’s Czekajlo presentation was followed by moving remarks made by:
His Excellency Marek Magierowski – Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States of America; Ms. Robin L. Dunnigan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Mr. Yaroslav Brisiuck, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Ukraine.
Photo: Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, polytrauma.org
These remarkable leaders underscored that the event not only presents an opportunity to showcase the outstanding music of Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin but also supports the noble goal of helping victims of trauma from the war in Ukraine.
The American astronaut of Polish origin – Col. George D. Zamka, who is singlehandedly responsible for bringing Chopin’s music to Space, when introducing the documentary and accomplished, shared his reflections on the inspiring role of Chopin’s music during Endeavour’s flight into space and said:
I am often asked, ‘What’s it like to Fly in space?’ Depending on the situation, I usually say, ‘it feels like falling.’ […] We are all spiritual beings, so we are here to support this cause. – Col. George D. Zamka
Photo: Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, polytrauma.org
The presentation of the documentary film directed by Adam Ustynowicz was accompanied by the world-class pianist Karol Radziwonowicz with a captivating performance of Prelude in A major and an additional nine of Fryderyk Chopin’s most beautiful compositions. Karol Radziwonowicz on the grand piano was accompanied by Solisti di Varsavia with Wojciech Proniewicz and Anna Barszcz on violins, Dorota Woźniak-Mocarska on cello, Marek Czech on viola, and Radosław Nur on double bass.
Photo: Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, polytrauma.org
After the concert, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Poland, his Excellency Adam Niedzielski, presented the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to George Walter Handy, President of the Supervisory Board of Alliance for Innovation. Mr. Handy was recognized for outstanding merits in activities for the Polish diaspora and for promoting Polish culture and tradition, at the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Republic of Poland.
Photo: Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, polytrauma.org
The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is a Polish order of merit created in 1974, to recognize persons who have rendered outstanding service to Poland. As such, it is sometimes referred to as a traditional “diplomatic order.”
In support of the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, painter Agnieszka Pilat unveiled a new painting during the Chopin.The space concert.
The new artwork commemorates the shared mission of United States., Poland, and Ukraine following the first anniversary of the Russian invasion and the battle for democratic values all have undertaken. The painting was completed with the assistance of Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot, a subtle nod to new technology’s role in shaping the war’s outcome and the rapid coordination between all three countries.
As a Polish-born artist who grew up in the shadow of the Soviet Union, the United States was an inspiration for freedom. As Poland broke the shackles of tyranny, I came to America and found a second home. Ukraine is now on the same journey and must be supported. – Agnieszka Pilat
Photo: Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, polytrauma.org
The concert and media publicity has been organized by the Alliance for Innovation- Poland/U.S. Foundation with generous support from the Medical Society of Virginia and the Embassy of the Republic in Poland in Washington.
With the success of this evening, organizers hope to accelerate the development and growth of the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma to serve more Ukrainian friends sooner.
To learn more about the Center of Excellence for Polytrauma, visit: www.polytrauma.org