Embassy of the Slovak Republic
3523 International Court N.W., Washington D.C. 20008
United States of America
001/202/237 1055 Washington, DC
March 19, 2004
LETTER OF ENDORSEMENT
To whom it may concern:
The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, DC welcomes and supports the project of Laurel Highlands Village. We consider this important way of promoting Slovak national culture in the United States. This would be a very positive step in further development of the mutual understanding between our nations.
The Embassy of the Slovak Republic
Washington, DC
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Slovakian Community within the Laurel Highland’s Historical Village
10/21/03 Dear Mr. Shawley, I am writing in response to your letter regarding the Laurel Highlands Village concept. After giving it some thought, I sincerely support you in this endeavor and feel the 16th century theme can be very enlightening and educational. With 20 years of experience in the ethnic cultural arena, most programs and projects typically focus on 18th century to present — however, by extending further back in history you will open the gates for a broader view of many of our ancestor’s roots. Your consideration of a Johnstown location would be ideal given considering the melting pot of cultures that settled there. In addition, the need for revenue generating venues for the area is obvious and hopefully this project could be the financial boost the community long awaits. Having worked myself with the Pittsburgh Folk Festival, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and currently with the Slovak Heritage Association of the Laurel Highlands as President, I am fully aware of the audience draw and enthusiasm connected to our ancestor’s heritage and history. Coincidentally I received your letter while still in Slovakia on business and made the opportunity to present your idea to museum directors and historians. I am happy to report that the concept has peaked their interest, particularly an archeologist from Nitra, Mario Bielich who specializes in 16th century excavations and artifacts.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of appointing me as your Ethnic Community Director, within the Slovakian Community. Please accept my personal wishes for a successful project. Karen A. Mesaros ======================== Karen A. Mesaros Creative solutions in visual arts, advertising and print. 412/922-2235 [email protected]
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From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 4:18 PM
Subject: Laurel Highland’s historical Village
Dear Mr. Shawley, I would like to thank you for your e-mail informing about the planned Laurel Highland’s historical Village. I think it’s a wonderful idea to build up such a model of ancient living.
It is rare for such an organization to pull together and offer support in such a manner, for the unity of global peace, and ethnic preservation. We will provide on going support, as you continue to grow. In the meantime I will contact individuals who have strong feelings towards the preservation of their ethnic background. I’m sure they will be I touch with you.
What concerns the Swiss participation, I can send you our information brochures, map, poster and booklet. We also loan Swiss flags for special events and for a limited time. If you are interested in purchasing one, please find below some websites where you can do so. http://www.shopswiss.com/flags.html http://www.flagmakers.com/display_product.asp?id=653&category=7 If you have any further questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Irene Portmann Irene Portmann Education/Cultural Section Consulate General of Switzerland 633 Third Avenue, 30th Floor New York, NY 10017-6706 Tel. (212) 599-5700 Ext.1057 Fax (212) 599-4266
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Consular Division of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland 2224 Wyoming Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008-3992
Dear Mr. Shawley;
The following transcript indicates our desire to work closely with the United States. But, most importantly we have strong convictions towards the saving of our ethnic heritage. We look forward to working with you, and yes you have our support.
Why is it in Poland’s interest to develop close cooperation with the United States?
First of all, the United States is the engine of the globalization process and of far-reaching technological progress. Poland’s cooperation with the United States creates a basis for the growth of our country’s prosperity and increases opportunities for our citizens.
The United States is not only a political, economic and scientific power, but also an example of the creation of this power. For this reason it is worth to transfer, thoughtfully of course, those experiences which promise to put Poland on the fast track of economic growth.
Secondly, the United States is a great exporter of security – a stabilizing factor in the world and in Europe. Close alliance with the United States creates the external conditions enabling further stable transformation of our country.
Third of all, America is a power built on democratic values, respect for the liberties of the individual, pluralism, respect for the law and the principles of division of power. This creates the foundations for a significant political dialogue between Poland and the United States – despite the disproportion of power between the two states.
An active policy of the Republic of Poland in its relations with America is an exceptionally important factor helping us to realize our interests on the international arena. A significant factor, that will facilitate this dialogue are consistent efforts of the United States to preserve a stable and secure Europe. From the very outset, the foreign policy of the Republic of Poland has been based on the principles of good-neighborly relations and support of transformation processes in the entire Central-Eastern Europe. These principles were largely convergent with the American vision of the future of this region.
Fourth – the US, as the only superpower in the world today, is conducting an internal dialogue concerning the degree and forms of its involvement on the international arena.
It is in our interest to combat tendencies of disengagement in the United States, to activate the presence of the United States in Europe and to create safer frameworks in which both internal (reforms) and external expansion of the European Union can take place.
And the last argument – the process of globalization cannot be halted. Objectively, the USA is the motor of this process. It lies in our interest to make this dynamic growth as inclusive as possible and overcome destabilization resulting from differences in prosperity between world regions. This process will require a dialogue, which cannot be effective without the participation of the United States.
Teresa Janiszewska Counselor Head of Consular Division
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France Support
Dear Ronald:
I am very pleased to see such an undertaking, here in the states. I’m enclosing a brief outline of what we consider to be the main topics of interest, as it applies to our country. We will support your effort, and provide unlimited support, in a common goal.
France’s cultural action in the United States typically takes the form of high-profile artistic events (fine arts, theater and dance, music, cinema), the promotion of French writers, and various programs in cooperation with American universities and schools.
Visual Arts The masterpieces of French painting, both classical and modern, are prominently featured in the permanent collections and retrospective exhibitions of major American museums. Some of the principal exhibitions in 2002 include Gauguin (Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York City), French sculptors Xavier Veilhan and Thomas Hirschorn (Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art, Lake Worth, FL), Bonnard (Philips Collection, Washington D.C.)
There are also several major thematic exhibitions : “ David to Cézanne : Nineteenth-Century French Drawings ” (Morgan Library, New York City), Modigliani and the artists of Montparnasse (Albright Know Museum, Buffalo, N.Y.), France and the portrait (Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University), and a travelling exhibition of consumer items representative of French design (CA, NY, LA, YX, IL).
Works by over 200 contemporary artists are presented in various museums, art centers and galleries in 2002 -–a reflection of the sustained interest of American professionals in the French art scene. Among the artists exhibiting, are Christian Milovanoff (Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittsburgh, PA), Vincent Barré (Studio School of Painting, Drawing and Sculpture in New York. ” At the Mobile Museum, AL “ A century of French Style ” includes works by Gotscho, Matthieu Manche, Marie-Ange Guilleminot, Jean-Michel Othoniel. An exhibition at the Bronx Museum in New York features artists such as Yves Klein, Louise Bourgeois, Claude Closky, Matthieu Lorette.
American interest in French art also extends to architecture. A one-day seminar on the major French architectural undertakings known as the “ Grands Projets ” will be held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City in collaboration with the Architectural Research Institute and the French Cultural Services.
Classical/Contemporary Theater and Circus A large number of of classical plays (Molière, Racine, Beaumarchais) receive regular performances in theaters for an American public still attached to the French Classics.
French contemporary theater still proves successful with the productions in New York of Marguerite Duras (Savannah Day) Jean Genet (Elle), Bernard-Marie Koltès (in the solitude of the cotton fields). French playwright Nathalie Sarraute’s “ Just for Nothing ” receives its U.S. premiere at Hollywood’s Tamaring Theatre.
The new circus has generated increasing interest among American program-planners. French circus troupe “ Compagnie du Hanneton ”, founded by Charlie Chaplin’s grandson James Thiérée, presents the surreal “ Junebug Symphony (New York City and Los Angeles). France’s equestrian troupe Zingaro performs its latest show “ Triptik ” at the Eclectic Orange Festival, Costa Mesa, CA.
Dance
French contemporary dance is celebrated by several companies which tour the USA. Ballet Biarritz performs “ Hommage aux Ballets russes ” in NY, FL, TX, PA, Ballet Preljocaj returns to BAM with Helikopter and Rite of Spring. In another genre, the hip-hop dance group Käfig was invited to the 2002 Spoletto Festival.
Eclectic Music
As it is every year, the French repertoire was honored in the United States with the grand operas of Bizet, Messiaen, Poulenc, Gounod and the works of Ravel, Saint-Saëns, Debussy and Berlioz
Performers of the American stage in 2002 includes sopranos Véronique Gens and Sandrine Piau, violonist Laurent Korcia, pianists Pascal Rogé, Pierre-Laurant Aimard, Katia and Marielle Labèque.
In the sphere of contemporary music, French composers regularly appear in the major American concert halls. World known composer-conductor Pierre Boulez leads concerts in several cities of the United States and an homage is paid to him at Carnegie Hall.
The vitality of new works is equally apparent in the “ modern music genre ”. New York premieres composer Michel Legrand’s musical “ Amour ”. The Paris Combo, which plays a retro-cabaret celebration of France, performs in several states.
My department will help in with your continued progression. Once you have your property obtained, please send to our Embassy in Washington DC, a detailed outline of your project, including your requests. We look forward to our joint union, working together in preserving our French History, and it’s culture.
Bonne visite sur notre site
Gilles Montagnier
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Oneida Nation
Indian Times
Hello: I’m immersed in the Oneida story for awhile. Sorry I’m so unreachable. It’s overwhelming me and I’m working around the clock.
Here are a few key federal laws regarding land, and the protection of same. *the 1996 Executive Order on Indian Sacred Sites *the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act *the 1989 National Museum of the American Indian Act *the 1978 American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
I’ve spoken to the leaders of the Oneida nation and they are willing to show their support. They feel that ethnic preservation is a must, within Keystone state. In New York the nation has already established a Heritage Center, which enlightens tourists who visit our lands.
The nation will provide support in the manner of people, monies and educators. They are willing to build and live year round within the village. Many of the tribal leaders talk about your land as….the passage to freedom.
I’ll be in Washington D. C. next week. I have spoken too other leaders from the other four nations and they all want to know more. There are deep concerns when you talk about preserving Indian ways. Sometimes it’s hard to understand, as most elders feel that white man is nothing more than untrustworthy. But, there are those who want the Native American Indian ethnics to live on for generations to follow.
We look forward to working in unity, in one goal, to preserve our ethnic history.
My dear friend…….Peace my brother.
Oneida Nation
FourthCrow
Public Relations Director
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