Polish Language Blog

Established in 1979 by Józef Czerniejewski, Natalia Gold has won more than 120 awards, certificates and distinctions, and continues to attract accolades, proving that it is one of the leaders in the Polish market for gold jewellery.

Every artist should have a muse, and even more so an artist whose masterpieces are worn by some of the most beautiful and best-known women in Poland. The muse of Józef Czerniejewski is Natalia Kukulska, a Polish singer who also gave her name to the company and is featured in its advertising campaigns. Having a talented artist as a muse is a unique source of inspiration to Czerniejewski, as both creative forces compliment each other. In the words of Hippocrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, “Life is short, art long” and Kukulska’s voice is timeless, just like the unique gold and silver pieces created by Czerniejewski.

Natalia Gold started out in the late 1970s as a one-man operation in a tiny rented workshop in Piaseczno, in central Poland. Throughout the past thirty years its beautiful pieces have won numerous awards, and the company has continued to set new standards in the Polish jewellery market. Following the political transformation of Poland in 1989, Natalia Gold was one of the first companies to be granted a permission of the Minister of Commerce to produce and sell its artifacts.

Over the years, the company has expanded, and now has three showrooms in Warsaw. Czerniejewski often jokes that this is two too many, because he believes that it is impossible to create individual pieces of fine jewellery to be sold on such a wide scale. Nevertheless, he dreams of having one flagship store in Poland, with two further outlets; one in Paris and one in New York. “I am a very brave man and I like taking risks”, he says, and adds that his motto for life is a beautiful quotation by a famous American opera singer, Beverly Sills: “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try”.

Natalia Gold is a strong supporter of the Polish Guild of Artisans, an organization which strives to maintain high standards in arts and crafts in Poland, as well as raise the profile of Polish talent in this field. Czerniejewski considers this to be his duty because he held the role of the Director of the Polish Guild of Artisans for three terms, but later gave it up because of his busy schedule. Natalia Gold continues to play an active role in the guild, and recruits many of its craftsmen from competitions that search for new talent.

Variety is also key to Natalia Gold’s success; the company always prides itself on offering a wide range of pieces, with something to suit every taste – even the most individual. Nevertheless, traditional styles remain the most popular. Clients tend to steer away from the latest trends, and select classic, timeless pieces that will never date. Czerniejewski also observes that clients are becoming more and more enthusiastic about silver jewellery, again traditional designs, though ethnic and oriental designs are also growing in popularity.

Czerniejewski’s appreciation of design and style is not limited to the beautiful pieces of jewellery sold at Natalia Gold; in 2006, the company modernized its two showrooms, and relocated its flagship store in Piaseczno to a much larger space. As a result, Natalia Gold was awarded the first prize in the Christmas Look 2007 competition for the most beautiful interior, a competition organized by Polski Jublier (Polish Jeweller), a monthly magazine for the Polish jewellery industry.

Czerniejewski is also keen to cater for his clients who are not able to make it to his showrooms. “I know the importance of good communication with the clients and that’s why we always inform them about our successes and achievements”, he says. “It has already been a few years since we created our website which includes an online shop, where the clients can see the full range of jewellery on offer, and also read some useful information about the company.” The website is still being developed though it is in the process of being improved in order to make it even more user-friendly. “We offer the biggest range of gold and silver jewellery available online, not only in Poland,” Czerniejewski points out. “It allows potential clients to view our pieces from the comfort of their own homes. As well as our products, they can also see photographs capturing our achievements and manyother memorable moments.”

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

As in the other countries of Eastern Europe, Poland’s work visa and residency permit rules are designed to protect the Polish work force from foreign competition, particularly during these times of high unemployment.

Because the Polish government has experienced many difficulties since 1989 – prime ministers have come and gone, scandals are common, and reviving the stagnant economy remains a Herculean task – don’t count on the rules staying the same.

Americans don’t need a visa to enter Poland, but they do require both a work permit and residency status for stays longer than ninety days. Because of the high rate of unemployment, foreigners who are looking for jobs often find it difficult to get work papers.

Though big business has made quick advances in the largest and most religious of the countries of Eastern, it is not as popular a destination among North American expats as the Czech Republic or Hungary. This is not to say that it isn’t an interesting or appealing choice.

Here is a list of Polish consulates and embassies in USA that can help you with any questions related to visas you may need:

Embassy of the Republic of Poland

2640 16th Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Phone: (202) 234-3800

Consulate General of the Republic of Poland

12400 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 555

Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone: (310) 442-8500

Consulate General of the Republic of Poland

1540 N Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60610

Phone: (312) 337-8166

Consulate General of the Republic of Poland

233 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10016

Phone: (212) 889-8360

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Warsaw this week to protest against the government in one of the biggest demonstrations since the fall of communism.

Organized by main opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), the Solidarity trade union and a host of other groups, protestors flocked to the event – dubbed ‘Wake Up Poland’ – to air a myriad of grievances held against the government. While estimated numbers vary, the organisers claim that approximately 100,000 people took part.

One of the main sources of anger were government plans to raise the retirement age for all people to 67 from 60 for women and 65 for men (Retirement age raise?). People were tired of “being told to tighten their belts” and that “now was the time for change”.

Another key rallying point was the decision of the broadcasting council to strip TV Trwam, a Catholic television station and sister station to the controversial and nationalistic Radio Maryja, of its broadcast license.

Thousands of Trwam defenders, organised by Radio Maryja, and supporters packed into Warsaw’s Plac Trzech Krzyży to sing, pray and voice their anger at a government they accused of trying to silence the Catholic media.

Poles were exploited by those who are able to manipulate, by those who do not recognise equality or any other rights. Democracy has become a sham and a fiction they do not want.

While the demonstration provided a rallying point for anybody angered by the government for any number of reasons, the scale of the event has drawn attention from politicians, the public and the media.

With the effects of the European economic crisis beginning to be felt in the Polish economy, the government is facing hardening opposition to economic reforms it claims are necessary for the good of the country.

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)