Bialowieza National Park in April © Jan Walencik 2009
Jan Walencik Cinema and Photography
ARBORES VITAE
The last European primeval forest
European Earth Centre Foundation proposes all nature lovers a new and fascinating meeting with the miracles of nature - "ARBORES VITAE - The last European primeval forest”.
Between September 10th 2011 and October 31st 2011, in a specially arranged space beneath the Wawel Castle on ul. Powiśle 11 in front of the the Tourist Services Centre CORT. And then it's moving to the Galeria Krakowska on ul. Pawia 5 on the 17th of January till 25th of March 2012, visitors will be able to see some beautiful and until now unknown corners of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest and get to see some of its exceptional residents. The mystical beauty of this place – the last temperate zone primitive lowland forest in the world – will be shown on 100 dazzling large-format photographs measuring 120 x 180 cms. by the renowned photographer and documentary filmmaker Jan Walencik. This whole exhibition is presenting nature that is unique not only to Poland or Europe, but the whole world, will be accompanied by film screenings, educational classes for children and young people, competitions and many other attractions. The event is under auspices of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO, Janusz Zaleski - the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Environment – Chief Nature Conservator, Marek Sowa - the Marshall of the Małopolska Region, Jacek Majchrowski - the President of Cracov, Jerzy Woźniakiewicz - the Director of the Regional Public Library in Cracov.
The ARBORES VITAE exhibition is not only a wealth of impressions and excellent fun, but also chance to obtain knowledge about the natural treasures of this part of Europe. The exhibition will also feature informative charts with the most important details concerning the Bialowieza Primeval Forest and other primeval forests as well as the importance of trees for the ecosystem. Among the authors of the presented texts are such renowned experts as: Prof. Andrzej Strumiłło, Prof. Tomasz Wesołowski PHD, D.Sc, Prof. Janusz Hereźniak PHD, D.Sc., Grażyna Łaska PHD, D.Sc., Doctor Andrzej Janusz Korbel and Marta Maziarz Msc. The aim of the organizers of "ARBORES VITAE - The last European primeval forest” is to draw the attention of those visiting the exhibition to the fact that in order to save the natural wealth of the national park for future generations, it is necessary to broaden its borders and create so-called green corridors enabling animals belonging to threatened species to move between its different areas. It is right now, in 2011, which was announced the International Year of Forests, that the threatened treasures of European wild nature should be given special protection. For this purpose, a special program entitled NATURA 2000 European Ecological Network has been established, against the background of which the ARBORES VITAE exhibition will be presented.
"ARBORES VITAE - The last European primeval forest” is a source of knowledge about forests and the dangerous results of our influence on nature, but above all – an unforgettable story told by means of images and words about a fairytale land, found nowhere else on this planet.
The programme of events embraces the following, with free admission to all:
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100 large-format photographs along with scientific descriptions prepared by the greatest experts on the subject of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest; accompanied by informative charts about the Bialowieza Primeval Forest, other primeval forests and the importance of trees for the ecosystem and man;
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The ARBORES VITAE cinema – a series of 8 film shows dedicated to the subject of the forests and habitats of our planet (screenings to take place in the exhibition’s multimedia pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m.); the cinema’s programme details may be seen on the web site www.arboresvitae.eu on the Cinema page;
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A program of educational classes intended for children and young people (Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 15.00) one may already make an appointment for a class;
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An all-Poland ARBORES VITAE Internet competition with splendid prizes (www.konkurs.arboresvitae.eu);