Solzhenitsyn dies

My favorite author, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, died this week in Moscow, Russia. I read a few of his books while I lived in Russia and I am completely amazed at the long life he lived. His life came full circle as he was able to spend the last several years back in Russia after the Soviets exiled him for his writings.

He lived from December 11, 1918 to August 3, 2008.

Literary titan Alexander Solzhenitsyn dead at 89
07/08/2008 | Moscow News №31 2008

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, an icon of the great Russian writer in the mold of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, died of heart failure this week in his Moscow home. He was 89 years old. As hundreds gathered in the rain on Tuesday to pay their last respects to Solzhenitsyn, other writers, national leaders and public figures began pondering the essence of who he was for Russian society - dissident, writer, a historical figure endemic to the 20th century, thinker or simply legend. He was buried Wednesday at Donskoy Cemetery in a ceremony that included goose-stepping guards and the dirges of a religious choir.

Funds for Auschwitz requested

Here is a story that says that Poland is looking for EU money to keep up the Birkenau camp of Auschwitz. There are enough visitors that I'd guess they could generate the funds needed to maintain the museum on the two sites.

Poles ask the world for funds to stop Auschwitz falling into ruin

Auschwitz is falling into ruins and needs international funding to be kept open, the Polish authorities responsible for maintaining the Nazi death camp said yesterday.

Doughnuts, the Pope and a General

I guess I had never thought about the similarities between Detroit and Krakow before reading this article.

Known in Detroit, but made in Krakow

Everyone in Detroit knows about the Polish jelly doughnuts called paczki (PONCH-key) eaten in massive quantities on Paczki Day every February, but paczki are available all year round in Krakow.

Kefir, coming to a grocer near you

When we lived in Russia, I never really got into drinking kefir.

Honestly, I never really understood what it was all about. Now that the term "probiotic" is attached to it, I am guessing it is going to show up in my fridge. And just in time, a Polish company is ramping up its kefir production to meet the higher demand.

Danisco extends Kefir output for global tastes

Kefir is a fermented milk drink that has been popular in a number of Eastern and Central European countries for hundreds of years, but it is now increasingly being linked to offering functional benefits as an ingredient...

Late Austrian goal ties Poland

Well, that was a disappointing end to the Poland-Austria Euro 2008 soccer match on Thursday.

Austria gets late penalty to earn 1-1 draw against Poland at Euro 2008

By STUART CONDIE , Associated Press
Last update: June 12, 2008

VIENNA, Austria - Ivica Vastic scored in the closing moments of injury-time with a penalty kick Thursday, giving European Championship co-host Austria a 1-1 draw with Poland.

Mariusz Lewandowski pulled the shirt of Sebastian Proedl in the area on a free kick and the referee awarded the Austrians the penalty kick. Vastic sent his shot to the goalkeeper's right.

Brazilian-born playmaker Roger Guerreiro gave Poland the lead by tapping in a 30th-minute cross from Marek Saganowski for his first international goal since he received Polish citizenship in April.

Bush visiting Europe this week

A few weeks ago, I had lunch in Kranj, Slovenia.

Today, U.S. President George W. Bush is traveling there from Washington, D.C.

Bush's trip to Europe will be from June 9-16.

As part of my trip to Slovenia, I remember a university student say, "Oh man, you guys better not even talk about politics. America is not liked right now at all!"

I think I just changed my vote to Obama so that I'll be better liked over here in Europe! (That was a joke. I'm not voting for him.)

But at this point, the reality here in Europe seems to be: Anxious for his successor, Europeans look past Bush.

Polish-born Podolski scores 2 for Germany

It was tough enough watching Germany beat Poland 2-0 tonight in their first soccer match of the Euro 2008 championship. But to have the Polish-born Lukas Podolski score the 2 goals for Germany was a little much.