KNOXVILLE -- Downtown Knoxville and the UT campus will be the scene of the celebration of contemporary Polish culture on Friday, May 3. An evening of delicious food, drinks, live jazz, and contemporary Polish movies will be at 5:30 p.m.

The event, called PolandNow will showcase different aspects of contemporary Polish culture in three downtown locations: Market Square, The University of Tennessee Conference Center, and the Emporium Gallery.

The event is organized by a newly formed civic organization, PolandNow, headed by Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in the United States, Dr. Marek Maria Pienkowski, in cooperation with the City of Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

Events will include:

• An exhibition of Polish graphic artists represented by the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, with prof. Jacek Szewczyk at the helm, the former rector of the university.

• Examples of contemporary Polish filmmaking with “Hania” directed by Janusz Kaminski with music by Jan Kaczmarek, both Oscar winners and “Pogoda Na Jutro” (Weather for Tomorrow) directed by and starring Jerzy Stuhr.

• Connoisseurs of American will be able to enjoy refined culinary experiences prepared by Chef Wojciech Modest Amaro, winner of the first Michelin star in Poland and the Polish-born American Chef Edward Nowakowski.

• The achievements of Polish jazz music will be highlighted by two jazz ensembles: The Undercurrents Quartet and Baseball The Band.

The opening ceremony of the PolandNow event will be led by Honorary Consul Pieńkowski. Participating in the ceremony will be Chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Maciej Pilarski, and Deputy Mayor of Knoxville, Eddie Mannis.

"This will be the first event of its kind in Tennessee, presenting Polish culture without the stereotypical ‘cabbage and dumplings’, and we are counting on the presence of more than 3000 guests," said Dr. Marek Pienkowski, initiator of the event.