Ten Years Of Manggha Magic
Celebrations kicked off last night in recognition of ten years of the Manggha Centre, a Polish-Japanese enterprise that embodies one of the richest additions to Cracow's cultural scene in recent times.
Distinguished film-maker and founder of the Centre Andrzej Wajda led the ceremonies, and he was joined by a host of dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Japan in Poland, and a number of luminaries in the arts from both Poland and Japan.
Besides a slightly unflattering video of speeches made by three Japanese dignitaries who were unable to attend (somehow the skin of the gentlemen glowed a fantastical green colour) the event ran reassuringly smoothly. After the speeches, guests were treated to a rousing rendition of Chopin's Fortepiano in F minor, before retiring to a banquet upstairs.
The Manggha Centre sprung to life in 1987 after Wajda won Japan's prestigious Kyoto Award for his life-time achievement in the arts. He donated the money - some 400,000 Euros in today's currency - to the construction of an ambitious building near Poland's Royal Castle in Cracow.
The flowing modernist building, which ripples above the riverbank opposite the castle, was designed by leading Polish architect Krzysztof Ingarten. The building houses a rich collection of Japanese art that was once owned by nineteenth century Cracovian eccentic, Feliks 'Manggha' Jasienski. The centre also plays host to exhibitions of Polish, Japanese and International art.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the foundation, Manggha is opening a new exhibition this week exploring contemporary directions in Polish and Japanese architecture.