2015 Polonaise Ball

The 43 rd International Polonaise Ball In the Rhythm of Samba Saturday, February 7, 2015

Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Jan Karaszewski, Mrs. Dorota Schnepf, Amb. Ryszard Schnepf

The International Polonaise Ball, established by

Lady Blanka Rosenstiel in 1972 and one of the most prestigious and elegant events of Miami's social season since 1972, is organized under the auspices of the Ambassador of Poland to the US, Ryszard Schnepf.

The 43rd International Polonaise Ball on February 7, 2015 was held at the glamorous Eden Roc Hotel on palm-lined Collins Avenue in Miami, FL. The Ball entwines elegance and style with world-class entertainment and cultural diversity. Each year the Ball celebrates Poland and a different country, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic ties and friendships of both nations. Over 300 guests from all corners of the globe celebrated Poland Fascinated with Brazil at the black tie event. And celebrate they did - from posing with a feathered and jeweled Carnaval passista to exuberant dancing with the hypnotic samba drum beats - it was loads of fun and an unforgettable evening.

Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Dr. Jan Kulczyk

Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Dr. Alma Kadragic, Amb. Ryszard Schnepf

Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Andrzej Bukowinski

Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. David Ensor, Amb. Ryszard Schnepf

Consul John Petkus, Consul Sabina Klimek with guests

Amb. Ryszard Schnepf, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Krzysztof Przybyl

Mr. Richard Hurwitz, Mrs. Klaudia Juniewicz, Mr. Karim Peter Guen

Mr. Albert Slugocki, Mrs. Adriana Sabino, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mrs. Monika Jablonska-Chodakiewicz, Mr. Manuel Rosa

Ms. Magda Gessler, Dr. Marek Pien Pienkowski, Ms. Loretta Swit, Mr. Keith Gray, Mrs. Agnieszka Gray, Mr. Krzysztof Porowski, Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper, Mrs. Liliana Komorowska, Mr. Jarek Rottermund, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Mr. Italo Torrese, Ms. Francesca Lowenthal , Mrs. Teresa Lowenthal

Dr. Pat Riley, Dr. Andrew Schally, Mrs. Maria Schally, Ms. Donna Francavilla, Dr. Marek Pienkowski, Honorary Consul

Mrs. Elzbieta Wnuk, Prof. Stanislaw Wnuk

Mr. Dominic Cieslak, Ms. Veronika Cieslak

Brazilian samba dancer who spends most of her early life perfecting the exuberant dance at a recognized samba school. With elaborate costumes, enormous headdresses, glittering footwear and choreographed moves, passistas create the dynamic energy of Carnaval - encouraging the crowds to join them in dancing along the streets of Rio.

Besides the Ambassador and his wife, many other distinguished personalities came from all over the world including Dr. Jan Kulczyk, a businessman who is, according to Forbes, the richest man in Poland.

There were also guests from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and the US. Among them were local corporate leaders, artists, diplomats, and scientists, such as Dr. Andrew Schally, a Nobel Prize winner in the field of medicine. And each year more and more young people are attending, adding an exciting exuberance to the event.

A stunning passista in a white and gold bejeweled gown with an ornate feathered headdress stood regally on the stage, and guests lined up to be photographed with her. A passista is a formally trained

Ms. Lynne Schaefer, Mrs. Beata Paszyc, Mrs. Barbara Muze, Mrs. Jadwiga Gewert, Lady Blanka Rosenstiel, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak

After the traditional opening Polonaise, the award ceremony commenced with presentations of the Gold Medal for Andrzej Bukowinski, renowned Brazilian filmmaker and “King of commercials";" the Lech Walesa Media Award for David Ensor, journalist; and the “Amicus Poloniae” for Alma Kadragic, producer and journalist. Four individuals Monika Jablonska, Adriana Sabino, Manuel Rosa and Albert Slugocki -

Brazilian passista Ms. Loretta Swit, Dr. Michel S. Pawlowski

Ms. Claudine Smurfit, Dr. Marco Contreras

of carnival and samba while colorful feathers swayed on the dancers’ dynamically moving bodies. The energy was so vibrant that it moved everybody to the dance floor.

also received a Special Recognition Award from Lady Blanka for their entrepreneurial contributions to the Polish-American and Brazilian communities. Lady Blanka was also given with the "Outstanding Pole" award by Krzysztof Przybyl, President of the Foundation Teraz Polska, for promoting Polish achievements throughout the world. Mr. Przybyl came directly from Poland in order to present this prestigious award to Lady Blanka.

During the artistic program, the Brazilian dancers and rousing drummers transformed the beautifully decorated ballroom into the streets of Rio, with the rhythms

Mrs. Sandra Zachariasiewicz, Mr. Walter Zachariasiewicz, Fr. Anthony Czarnecki with passista

The guests enjoyed a delicious dinner with Brazilian flavors, and danced and networked long after midnight. The following day, the Polish Folk Dance Company showcased the traditional mazurkas and krakowiak during the Special Bunch.

Guests continued meeting new people, celebrating Polish and Brazilian cultures, and making plans to be in Miami next year for another fabulous gala Ball.

Mrs. Beata Paszyc, Mr. John Frank Velez, Mrs. Anna Slabicki, Mr. Zbigniew Slabicki

Dr. Dapnarina Maharaj, Dr. Jacquelina Gouvea, Mr. Krzysztof Łoński

Italian and American guests, including Dr. Ewa Piencentile, Mrs. Jadwiga Palade, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Skibicki, Ms. Dominika Grzebyk Nicoli, Mr. Mario Castellan, Mr. Lucio Pntecorvi, Ms. Caterina Covolo

Seated (l-r): Ms. Lucia Schneegans-Puentes, Ms. Luccia Lowenthal, Ms. Annie Centurion, Ms. Francesca Lowenthal, Ms. Yesenia Hernandez and guests

Mrs. Roza Toroj, Mr. Jacek Trus, Mr. Grzegorz Okon, Ms. Irena Zytkiewicz

Mr. Zygmunt Stazewski, Mr. Matthew King

Mr. Alexander Smaga, Ms. Ania Navas

Ms. Marta Lefik, Mr. Nick Sadowsky, Ms. Dorota Kotowska

Polish American Folk Dance Company

Seated (l-r): Ms. Sylvia Skarbinska, Dr. Irena Siemiginowska, Mr. Jerzy Siemiginowska, Ms. Veronika Cieslak, Ms. Magdalana Gudat Standing: Mrs. Karolina Nowicki-Martinez, Mr. Amaury Martinez, Mrs. Eva Korzeb, Mr. Kazimierz Korzeb, Mrs. Frances Burzynski, Mr. Janusz Burzynski, Mr. Dominic Cieslak, Baron Andrew von Gelt

Mr. Patrick Misiewicz, Ms. Kinga Plich

Latin America Invest Corp. guests, including Ms. Irma Sanchez, Mr. Italo Torrese, Mr. Leszek Ladowski, Mrs. Maria Ladowski

Seated (l-r): Ms. Jolanta Knight, Mrs. Elzbiata Wnuk, Prof. Stanislaw Wnuk, Mr. Joseph Wolsztyniak Standing (l-r): Mrs. Jennifer Khan-Nowak, Mr. Karim Peter Guen, Hon. Undine George, Hon. Edward George, Dr. Jerzy Kyparisis, Mrs. Danuta Kyparisis, Dr. Michel S. Pawlowski

Mr. Jorge Villacampa, Mrs. Maggie Villacampa, Pres. Mark Rosenberg, Marquisa Maria Alonso, Marquise Alexander Montague

Seated (l-r): Mr. Greg Burzynski, Mrs. Monika JablonskaChodakiewicz, Mr. Krzysztof Lewicki, Ms. Elzbieta Green Standing (l-r):Mr. Krzysztof Pierscionek, Mrs. Adriana Pierscionek, Mrs. Anna Burzynski, Mr. Wojciech Bukalski, Mr. Mateusz Kosmowski, Mr. Witold Kosmowski

Ms. Nancy Savoie, Mr. Paul Landrum, Mrs. Karen Landrum

Mrs. Grazyuna Orawiec, Dr. Bronislaw Orawiec

Seated (l-r): Mr. Marcin Roszczyk, Dr Kornelia Król. Mr. Krzysztof Porowski, Countess Barbara Pagowska–Cooper, Judge Andrzej Huras Standing (l-r): Honorable Jerzy Stępień, Mr. Maciej Cybulski , Ms. Beata Korsakowska–Pryl, Ms. Anna Borzęcka, Honorable Tadeusz Jedynak, Mr. Konrad Borzęcki, Mr. Krzysztof Kasperkiewicz

Mr. Pedro Botto, Dr. Rebecca Friedman, Dr. Shlomi Dinar

Seated (l-r): Mr. Richard Hurwitz, Mrs. Klaudia Juniewicz, Ms. Liliana Komorowska, Mr. Bernard Poulin Standing (l-r): Mr. John Frank Velez, Mrs. Beata Paszyc, Mrs. Anna Pietraszek, Mr. Stefan Pietraszek, Ms. Lynne Schaefer, Mr. Jaroslaw Rottermund

Dr. Mark Tucci, Mrs. Krystyna Tucci, Ms. Anna Zwierzycki, Mrs. Patrycia Zwierzycki, Dr. Jerome Zwierzycki

Baron Andrew von Gelt, Dr. Ewa Buch, Mr. Roman Buch

Seated (l-r): Ms. Maria InĂŞs Dal Borgo, Mrs. Adriana Riquet Sabino, Mr. Marcelo Sabino, Ms. Dircineia Marchi Standing (l-r): Ms. Ivonete Leite, Ms. Gloria Johnson, Mrs. Beti Rozen

Mrs. Anges Ptasznik, Mr. Jochen Renz

Ms. Anna Porowski, Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper, Mr. Krzysztof Porowski, Ms. Ashley Porowski