2007 ART COMPETITION IN SCHOOLS, Melbourne, Australia

On the occasion of 10th anniversary of canonization of St. Jadwiga Queen, the Queen Jadwiga Foundation (QJF) announced the art competition for the younger children, titled “St. Jadwiga Queen – an example to follow“, in Polish schools in Melbourne.

Thanks to Ms. Małgorzata Żuchowska, the coordinator, the art competition was organized in the school in Rowille. This competition was very popular among children. The art competition was also an attempt to initiate a new form of activities among members of Polish community (Polish minority in Australia). In contrast to existing forms of activities, where being Polish is perceived as ‘an addition’ only to the existing Australian (American) cultural trends, QJF tries to follow the best examples of Polish tradition, where new initiatives and new cultural forms were conceived, which were in turn absorbed by other nations. After poet M. Rej, we would like to say that Polish people are not “monkeys” and they have their reason. As a result, we would like to contribute to the world culture instead of following well known patterns of foreign culture. Art competition was planned in such a way so as a new generation of Australians of Polish origin was exposed to the best examples of Polish culture. St. Jadwiga Queen is the best example to follow for all Polish people. All QJF activities, inspired by achievements of Queen Jadwiga and supported by her love, are a very good example for young Australians of Polish origin that should help them to find a renowned position in the Australian (American) Nation instead of “taking” low-paid jobs.

Multimedia presentation – anthem „Bogurodzica” Children’ art works

Children’s paintings and pictures were part of the exhibition dedicated to St. Jadwiga Queen. By participating in the art competition children could contribute to celebration of 10^th anniversary of canonization of St. Jadwiga Queen. Creating “a corner with pictures painted by children” in the main exhibition showed the difference between the professional works of art based on years of theoretical and artistic investigations and works of gifted children. It was also an attempt to promote by QJF the most gifted students.

Children whose works were displayed in the exhibition received their awards during the official opening of the exhibition. Children participated in the multimedia presentation which began with the Polish anthem “Bogurodzica” which introduced us to the atmosphere of medieval ages and Poland.

The best three paintings

All awards were founded by the Queen Jadwiga Foundation.

The first three awards were encyclopedia „Britannica” (on CD). Together with encyclopedia were given books about St. Jadwiga Queen in order to remind that encyclopedic knowledge without the faith is just a “not needed ballast” in aspiring toward cognition.