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CHILDREN
Poland
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| * Capital (and largest
city) Warsaw
* Official language(s) Polish
* Demonym Pole/Polish
* Area - Total 312,685 km2
*Population June 2010 estimate 38,192,000
* Currency Zloty (PLN) |
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Market Square, Krakow Cracow.
Pic. courtesy: Google
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Poland is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the
West; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the South; Ukraine, Belarus and
Lithuania to the East; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a
Russian exclave, to the North. The total area of Poland is 312,679
square kilometres (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in
the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Poland has a population of over
38 million people, which makes it the 34th most populous country in the
world and the 6th most populous member of the European Union.
The establishment of a Polish state is often identified with the
adoption of Christianity by its ruler Mieszko I in 966, when the State
covered territory similar to that of present-day Poland. The Kingdom of
Poland was formed in 1025 and in 1569 it cemented a long association
with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania by signing the Union of Lublin,
forming the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth collapsed in 1795 and Poland’s territory was
partitioned among the Kingdom of Prussia, the Russian Empire and
Austria. Poland regained its independence as the Second Polish Republic
in 1918, after World War I, but two decades later it was occupied by
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union at the outbreak of World War II in
September 1939. Poland lost over six million citizens in the war and
emerged several years later as the People’s Republic of Poland under
Soviet influence.
During the Revolutions of 1989, communist rule was overthrown and
soon after Poland became what is constitutionally known as the ‘Third
Polish Republic’. Poland is a unitary state, made up of 16 Voivodeships,
Poland is a member of the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, the
World Trade Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD).
Courtesy: Wikipedia
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
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Learning skills of forefathers
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International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is celebrated on
August 9 every year to recognise the value and diversity of the cultures
of indigenous people.
The Wanniyala-Attho, or ‘forest people’, more commonly known as
Veddhas are an indigenous people of our country.
As you may know the Veddhas were originally hunter-gathers. They used
bows and arrows to hunt game and also gathered wild plants and honey.
Many Veddhas engage in chena cultivation.
The Veddha community is known for their simple lifestyle and as
nature lovers.
They are an example for so called civilized people who destroy nature
for their greed.
Descended from the country’s Stone Age inhabitants, these primitive
folk cling to their age-old life-style despite the ongoing process of
industrialization and modernization. The Veddhas are proud of their
distinct heritage and call themselves Vanniyalette.
Other related terms for indigenous peoples include aborigines,
aboriginal people, native people, first people, fourth world cultures
and autochthonous.
Bye for now
- Aunt Anji
Esala Perahera adds colour to Kandy
Dear Children,
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Esala Perahera parading streets. File photo |
Do you know the glittering Esala Perahera, which is 235 years old, is
one of the grandest events we have in Sri Lanka. I am sure you children
must be counting the days for the Perahera to begin.
It certainly is a wonderful experience. This year the Perahara will
be held in its all splendour and glory specially with the peaceful
atmosphere in the country. Many locals and foreigners look forward to
witnessing this wonderful festival every year and organizers expect a
bigger crowd this year.
The Perahera is held according to some rituals coming down from
traditions.
They are known as ‘Esala-keliya’. This festival begins with the
installation of ‘kapa’ in each Devale.
The Randoli Perahera begins on the fifth day. This is a lengthened
version of the famous Kumbal Perahera. On Full Moon Day, this Perahera
reassembles to go to the Asgiriya temple, where the casket is placed.
Then Devale Peraheras return to their Devales.
The Devale Peraheras then make their way to the water-cutting site at
the Getambetota. At the river, the ‘kapuralas’ of the devales, go in a
decorated boat, some distance in the river.
Kumbal Perahera
First Kumbal Perahera - August 15
Second Kumbal Perahera - August 16
Third Kumbal Perahera - August 17
Fourth Kumbal Perahera - August 18
Fifth Kumbal Perahera - August 19
Randoli Perahera
First Randoli Perahera - August 20
Second Randoli Perahera - August 21
Third Randoli Perahera - August 22
Fourth Randoli Perahera - August 23
Fifth Randoli Perahera - August 24
Day Perahera - August 25
No room for mistakes
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-Part 32
By Uncle Sachi and Aunt Ruwi
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Four children, Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka, go on a
trip to the woods with their parents for their school holidays. In the
middle of the night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On
following their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the spell of the
‘luring stones’. Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book
of spell to cast off the spell while the others remain behind with Sachi,
a gnome. A storm breaks and the kids are scattered.
Meanwhile Sulo, the goblin who is always trying to make trouble for
the mythical creatures, comes up with a nasty plan. She rushes off gang
up the rest of her pack and reveals an age old secret.
However the group discovers that it is not only Sulo’s secret that is
uncovered by the storm. Something dark and deadly had been hidden in the
depths of the earth waiting to release itself and return for revenge...
(‘Return of the Kids’ is the sequel to ‘Kid’s Den’)
Time was running out. He knew he had to act quickly or they would
soon discover his presence. Even though he had changed his image they
had the instinct to detect evil. Elves were very wise in that manner but
he felt that their powers were once more declining. That happened last
time and he took advantage of that fact and came to power. The only
drawback was that they caught him off guard. He will not make that
mistake again - ever!
 Then
there was the mystery about the boy. His image haunted him. He had a bad
feeling that the kid was a threat to him. He will have to find more
details. Even the magical mirror or all his spells were powerless at the
moment. He will have to go out and find the answers.
Balthazar hesitated at the entrance. Stepping out to the world was
always risky. It was decades since he had breathed the air in the woods.
He did not enjoy the feeling not the sunlight. He much rather liked the
world to be enveloped in gloom. That was how it was under his rule. He
created three powerful guards: Depression, Destruction and Distress, out
of his own soul to suck up any hint of joy out of living beings.
Many forest creatures died because they could not bear the torment.
Mythical creatures like the pixies, gnomes and brownies bore it all but
they too were crippled by his strength. He killed some of the less
powerful elves who dared to approach him but it was always a battle of
strengths between. He hated to admit it to himself, but he had always
feared the elves. And not there was a new threat - the boy!
Gingerly he set one foot out of his hideout. Even the mellow sunlight
hurt his eyes but he was not a goblin, because goblins naturally cannot
bear the sunlight. There was nothing unusual about that. No one will get
suspicious at first yet he had to watch his step.
He made his way up scrambling out of the hole. Then he paused and
sniffed at the air, his eyes widening as he detected the scent. Humans!
Those kids have been here! They must have seen his dwelling!
The urgency was vital with this discovery. He had to find that female
goblin and get the information out of her. If she refuses to be shaken
by power and wealth he will have to torture her. However he felt that
that might not be necessary. It had a look of greed in its eyes.
He took a different route to the one which had the children’s scent.
He was not ready to meet the child yet. He had last seen the female
goblin near a cove which contained a lot of rotting fish. It was very
fond of eating and had kept the place a secret from its mates.
It was a place just beyond the boundaries of the woods. He paused as
a sudden thought struck him. Why, it was even beyond the region in which
the elves had woven a spell to keep the mythical beings from escaping
into the human world, unannounced.
To be continued
The ceremony of pinning medals of prefects of Chirst Church
Girl’s College, Baddegama was held at the college recently.
Here Chief Guests Southern Province Education Director
Kithsiri Liyanagamage and head teacher Science Faculty
Mallika Dharmalatha being received by the students.
Principal K K K Kodituwakku, Deputy Principal C A Balasuriya,
Coordinator Regional English Centre G Mayakaduwa and Teacher
in Charge of Sports Kanthi Batuwatta are also in the
picture. Picture by Somadasa Abeywickrama - Baddegama group
correspondent |
Students of the Republican International School singing in
the school choir. |
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