12 Polish women, 12 histories, 12 inspirations
Twelve Polish women were invited to participate in the project. They live in Toulouse, Lyon, Montpellier and Toulon. They can be succinctly defined as active and dynamic. Their paths are different but they are all involved both socially and professionally in the activities of the Polish community. They are Polish professionals, who – in their daily work – are connected with Poles. The projects which they organize and manage are a showcase of Poland in France. They influence the local environment of the Polish community and reinforce the Polish-French relations.
These are 12 different histories of women who, despite the everyday duties, find time and energy to undertake additional projects.
« This project aims to show the variety of Polish actions in France and the faces of the women who carry them out. We wanted to stress their importance and promote education, culture, science and business » – says Aldona Kałuża, the president of the association. « This calendar is a unique project. We don’t know about any other project like that created by any other community of Polish immigrants. We can say that is a unique idea on a global scale. »
The Polish consulate in Lyon, a good idea and a good photographer
The idea to make this calendar was born in the association « Les Polonaises » many months ago. It was necessary, however, to go through a lot of efforts. The project was finalized thanks to the help and understanding of the Polish Consulate in Lyon. The choice of the photographer presented another challenge. The association decided to center the project at each stage around Polish women and invited to cooperation Anna Marchlewska, a Polish photographer who graduated from the Paris Academy of Fine Arts and lives and works in Paris. Dorota Bakota and Karolina Popczyk from Toulouse prepared the stylization and makeup. The session took place in Toulouse in mid-December 2013 just before Christmas. « It was an amazing experience to participate in this endeavor. I am looking forward to seeing the printed calendar and the results of our work » – says Beata Righesso vice president of the association « Les Polonaises » who also participated in the project.
How to get this calendar?
The association started a wide distribution of the calendar on Thursday, January 23rd. It will be sent to the most important Polish-French institutions and diplomatic posts in Poland and France. « We are planning a large promotion – with our initiative we want to reach the media and the communities connected with Polish immigration. It is one of the singularities of this calendar that its structure is based on Polish and French events such as holidays and name days. Each Polish-French family will find something interesting in it », says Agata Milhorat, responsible for communication in the association.
In addition, each of the 12 photographed Polish women placed her motto in the picture which may become an inspiration for different actions during the year.
Everyone interested in the calendar can buy it for €5 through the website of the association « Les Polonaises » or by sending an order through email to lespolonaises@gmail.com. This is the first edition of the calendar which can be hung at home of every woman and every man who care about both Poland and France. It is also an interesting idea for a gift for family, co-workers, business partners and marketing departments, especially those who appreciate interesting and innovative promotional projects. The association “Les polonaises” invites everyone to visit its website and Facebook page, where – through the portal StrefaPL (the media patron of the project) – soon will appear an interview with Anna Marchlewska, the creator of the pictures from the calendar, and an article about the women who appear in them.
