LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your efforts in realizing the Turkey supplement to The Warsaw Voice, which was published on May 8, 1997.

The beauty of the layout and the presentation of the content are beyond praise. The whole affair is one of the best examples of Turkish-Polish cooperation, and the supplement has brought very positive responses from every circle where it was read, both in Turkey and in Poland.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I wish to present my sincere thanks and reiterate that we look forward to new opportunities for such excellent cooperation.

Solmaz Unaydin
Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey

Dear Editor,

Poland "B" has been my home for the past four years. I spent most of them as a teacher of English as a foreign language. I am working for a new radio station in Chełm, located about 280 km southeast of Warsaw. Bon Ton Radio is one of the few stations in Poland which has a regular, year-round daily news service in English. With the new school year, we plan to start an English Education Program and an English Language Hot Line for our listeners. The average age of the staff at Bon Ton is under 30.

Unfortunately, Poland "A" has looked down on Poland "B" since the inter-war period. At last, this part of the country has the advantage-the people here have avoided the worst after-effects of the "Westernization Process." Despite growing materialism, the slower pace of life on this side of the Wisła has a positive influence on business and cultural development. It's a phenomenon I find impossible to explain but the proof is easy to find. Bon Ton is a good example, and it's not simply an exception to the old rule "Nothing happens in Chełm."

It makes me sad when all the attention goes to the West. I realize that The Warsaw Voice is not here to take Poland by the hand into the next century. Still, I feel that I live in a blooming region with immense, unspoiled potential in all fields of modern life. There is so much to do here-no matter what you do, you will succeed provided you do it well and with all your heart. This is unique in the world.

My point is that perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea for the Voice to devote a special issue to Chełm. I don't know too much about newspapers and publishing, and my only experience with mass media is through the radio but I'm sure that all of us here would be very happy to help the Voice in any way possible. Of course, this is just a suggestion, but apart from giving me the chance to prove myself, Poland has shown me that inspiration and imagination are still just as important as hard work and determination.

John Cudak, Chełm