EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 7:30 p.m.,
EVENT: The “first lady of Polish rock,”whose music contributed to a cultural shake-up as Poland shifted from communism to democracy, will be featured during the University of Michigan’s annual Copernicus Lecture. Jackowska

Kora Jackowska made her debut with Maanam in 1976 and by the 1980s, her music and unconventional, explosive performances were providing the soundtrack for the political and social unrest of the era when the collapse of communism in Poland inspired the demise of communist regimes around the world. Maanam became the symbol of counterculture for an entire generation of Polish youth.

After the fall of communism in 1989, she remained on the cutting edge of Polish popular culture and today is bringing her distinctive style to a new generation. She will be joined by Kamil Sipowicz, a journalist, historian, painter, sculptor and poet. Educated in Poland and Germany, he has published volumes of poetry and articles on subjects ranging from rock music to philosophy; he is the manager and promoter of Kora and Maanam.

Piotr Westwalewicz, lecturer in the U-M Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, who will be teaching a mini-course in March called “Rock kills communism, dismantling the Totalitarian State in Poland,” will conduct the interview.

PLACE: Rackham Amphitheatre, fourth floor, 915 E. Washington St.

SPONSOR: University of Michigan Center for Russian and East European Studies

WEB LINKS: More information about the annual Copernicus Lecture >